Why are we here on Earth?
4/24/2010 Revision 1
For some a simple answer would be because God wanted us here. But, in his article Deem suggests; “that God created this universe for the purpose of choosing or rejecting Him” and Deem also states that; “Everything has a purpose - most of which is to teach us about love and the difference between good and evil”.[1] In my response, I would first state that God in his aseity (non-dependency upon anything else); is not dependent upon us choosing or rejecting him. It is his glory that he creates the heavens, earth, and all life (pets included), yet he is not dependant upon creation, animals, or us for his glory. Secondly, I think Deem fails to answer “how everything has purpose” within his article. For example; why were the animals created in Genesis?
I do honestly believe that God wants to have a relationship with us. I also agree that we and all things do have a purpose and I believe it is more than to teach us about the difference between good and evil in a superficial meaning. We are to be the light of the world and show love (e.g. helping of others) to one another. Furthermore, I also believe emphatically it was the serpent wanting man/woman to know about good and evil from the beginning, God by his very command specifically told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge, but God ultimately knew they would disobey him. So I would also be in disagreement with Deem on this matter.
Moving forward; in Genesis 1:1 we know that God created the earth and the heavens. In Genesis 1:20 God creates animals to inhabit the earth (before humans), and it was good[2] (key term). And in Genesis 1:26-27 humankind was created to rule over the animals. In Genesis 1:30 And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food.” It was so. We know that it was good when God created the animals, my question would be if we are to assume it was good as the Bible states, then why would it not be good in Heaven? Keep in mind that this was before the fall of man, and God makes all things new (restoring the good).
In Genesis chapter two Adam names the animals: Genesis 2:19 The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So we know that animals do play a significant role in creation for our survival. For example; from history we know that we are dependant upon animals for a wide variety of things such as; the food chain, plowing fields, milk, eggs, farmers earning money from livestock, and the study of certain medicines and vaccines.
We also know from Genesis that God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge. The difference (or concept) of knowing good and evil was only after the temptation and the introduction to deception from the serpent suggesting Adam and Eve would surely not die, and they would be able to see good and evil. So we as Christians know that while God warned about this eating from the tree of knowledge it did not stop Adam and Eve, and it was not God’s intention for them to do so (according to his commands). So with that I would disagree that God necessarily wanted humankind to know good and evil at least in a manner of ignoring his commands.
[1] http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/pets_in_heaven.html#n05#n05
[2] Genesis 1:30 And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food.” It was so.
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