Why did God create mankind? This profound question has captivated theologians and believers for centuries. Scripture reveals that humanity was created as part of God’s eternal purpose, reflecting His glory and character, enjoying a relationship with Him, and fulfilling His divine plan. While the specifics of God’s reasons are vast and mysterious, the Bible provides clear insights into humanity’s purpose. This essay will explore these reasons in detail, highlighting that mankind was created for God’s glory, to reflect His character, to demonstrate His love, and to fulfill His eternal purposes. Drawing from Scripture and the insights of C.S. Lewis and Lewis Sperry Chafer, we will see that mankind’s creation is central to God’s plan for all of creation.
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1. To Glorify God
- The Centrality of God’s Glory
Scripture emphasizes that God created mankind for His glory. Isaiah 43:7 declares, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Humanity’s ultimate purpose is to glorify God, not because He needs glory, but because He is worthy of it. This reflects God’s desire to make His majesty and goodness known throughout creation. - Glorifying God through Creation’s Order
Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” While all creation reflects God’s glory, humans are unique in their ability to consciously glorify Him through worship, obedience, and their moral capacity. - Reflecting God’s Image
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This image-bearing role allows humans to uniquely reflect God’s attributes, such as love, justice, wisdom, and creativity.
2. To Have a Relationship with Mankind
- God’s Desire for Fellowship
God did not create mankind out of need but out of love, desiring a relationship with humanity. Revelation 21:3 describes the culmination of this purpose: “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Humanity was created to enjoy God’s presence and walk in fellowship with Him. - Examples of Relationship in Scripture
- In Genesis 3:8, we see God walking in the Garden of Eden, seeking fellowship with Adam and Eve.
- In Deuteronomy 7:6-9, God demonstrates His covenant love by choosing Israel as His people, reflecting His desire for a unique relationship with humanity.
- The Purpose of Redemption
Even after sin disrupted the relationship between God and humanity, His desire for fellowship remained. John 3:16 highlights God’s redemptive plan: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God’s creation and redemption of mankind reflect His unchanging desire for a loving relationship with His people.
3. To Demonstrate His Love and Grace
- A Cosmic Display of God’s Attributes
Ephesians 2:7 reveals a fascinating purpose for mankind’s creation and salvation: “In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Humanity’s redemption serves as a demonstration to the angelic world of God’s boundless love and grace. - Love as God’s Core Attribute
1 John 4:8 states, “God is love.” Creating humanity allowed God to express His love in a relational and demonstrable way. Love is not just an attribute of God; it is central to His character, and humanity was created as a recipient of His love. - God’s Patience and Mercy Revealed through Humanity
2 Peter 3:9 emphasizes God’s patience and mercy: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Humanity’s existence reveals God’s willingness to extend grace and patience despite sin.
4. To Fulfill His Eternal Purposes
- God’s Sovereign Plan
Ephesians 1:11 affirms God’s sovereignty: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Humanity’s creation was not random but a deliberate act within God’s eternal plan to bring glory to Christ (Ephesians 1:10). - Mankind’s Role in Creation
Genesis 2:15 describes Adam’s role in the Garden: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Humanity was entrusted with stewardship over creation, reflecting God’s authority and care. - Culmination of All Things in Christ
Philippians 2:9-11 declares that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Humanity’s creation and redemption are integral to God’s plan to exalt Christ and bring all creation under His authority.
5. To Defeat Evil and Demonstrate His Justice
- Mankind’s Role in the Cosmic Battle
Humanity plays a central role in God’s plan to defeat evil. Romans 16:20 promises, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” This reflects God’s plan to use humanity, redeemed through Christ, to overcome evil and restore creation. - God’s Justice Displayed in Redemption and Judgment
God’s creation of mankind demonstrates His justice through both redemption and judgment. Romans 5:8-9 highlights His justice in salvation: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” Judgment, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15, also reflects God’s justice. - A Witness to the Angelic Realm
Ephesians 3:10 states, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Humanity’s redemption and role in God’s plan serve as a cosmic testimony to His wisdom and justice.
Insights from Evangelical Leaders
- C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis beautifully captures humanity’s ultimate purpose in his statement: “God created us for Himself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.” Lewis emphasizes that mankind’s creation reflects God’s desire for a relational and eternal connection. Lewis often described God’s love as the driving force behind creation, redemption, and sanctification, portraying humanity as the unique recipients of God’s divine affection and purpose. - Lewis Sperry Chafer
Lewis Sperry Chafer, a foundational figure in dispensational theology, highlighted that humanity was created to display God’s grace and wisdom. Chafer noted, “Man is both the object and the instrument of divine grace. Through his salvation, God’s manifold wisdom is revealed to all creation.” For Chafer, humanity’s creation is central to God’s plan to glorify Himself, making mankind both a recipient of His love and a means of demonstrating His attributes to the universe.
Conclusion
The question of why God created mankind leads us to profound truths about His character and purposes. Scripture reveals that humanity was created to glorify God, reflect His character, enjoy a relationship with Him, and demonstrate His love and justice. Humanity is not an afterthought or random creation but central to God’s eternal plan, culminating in the exaltation of Christ and the ultimate defeat of evil.
The insights of C.S. Lewis and Lewis Sperry Chafer remind us of the beauty and weight of mankind’s creation. Humanity’s existence is not only a testament to God’s boundless love and grace but also a call to live for His glory. As Romans 11:36 declares, “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
*“Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
1 Chronicles 16:23-29
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”*
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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