Journal: Journal of Transformative Learning and Leadership
Volume: JTLL 01:1 (Fall 2023)
Article: The Creator/Creation Distinction: An Ontological Basis For Proper Transformative Learning And Leadership
Author: Paul Miles

The Creator/Creation Distinction: An Ontological Basis For Proper Transformative Learning And Leadership

Paul Miles

Introduction

The distinction between the Creator and His creation is a characteristic of the biblical worldview that sets it apart from other religions of the Ancient Near East. As such, it is the proper basis for transformative learning and leadership. In the alternatives, man deifies the cosmos and then mythologically depicts life being formed by gods and from gods. These two ontological schools of thought can be labeled Creator/creation distinction (CCD) and continuity of being (COB). The distinction between the biblical God and His creation has worldview implications beyond ontology as many differences in epistemology, ethics, and politics that are found in alternative worldviews can ultimately be traced to their presuppositions of continuity of being.

When a man accepts the CCD, he recognizes that the Creator’s Word is the authoritative source of epistemological truth, that proper ethics come from the Creator, and that politics exists as a stewardship under the Creator. Continuity ontology diminishes authoritative epistemology, which compromises the basis for ethics and gives way to political strife where pagan kings try to make worldview ends meet by establishing their statuses as supermen through extensive propaganda. The COB worldview extends beyond the Ancient Near East and is the fundamental worldview of evolutionism today, which sees life evolving out of the same primordial substance as the cosmos. The subjectivity that comes with the COB worldview is evident

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in current discussions of epistemology, ethics, and politics. If transformative learners are to have fruitful interaction with the world today, they must understand the difference between these two worldviews to relate more effectively as CCD advocates in a COB world.

Creator/Creation Distinction Described

A Brief Definition

The CCD worldview sees a clear distinction between the Creator and His creation. This is the biblical worldview. In eternity past, before any acts of creation, God was the only thing that existed. When He created matter, He did not form it from Himself, but rather created everything to be entirely distinct from Himself. The doctrine of God’s aseity speaks of His independence from anything else for existence.1 Creation is subject to its Creator, so man must turn to God’s revelation if he is to have a proper epistemological basis for his worldview. Therefore, the Bible sets the authoritative basis for ethics and politics.

Biblical Support

God is infinitely holy. The word qâdôsh (קָדוֹשׁ), often translated holy...