Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Theology: Creation

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Theology of Creation

• The Church's perspective on creation is based on scriptural evidence and the insights of early Church fathers.
• The Bible says, "I have made the earth, and created man upon it; I, even my hands stretched out the heavens" (Isaiah 45:12).
• The concept of creation Ex-Nihilo (out of nothing) is deeply rooted in the doctrine of creation.

Why did God create the world and everything in it?

• Angels and mankind are created to praise and worship God as He is willing to share and give His divine glory and eternal life.
• For food and drink.
• To know God through His magnificent blueprint set in the creation.

The Three Ways God Made the Creation

• By Divine Utterance or "Be Nebib" (with God's power of speech or words).
• By Hand or "Be Gebir".
• Through God's thought or "Be Halio".
• The first 7 creations, including Adam and Eve, were made on the first day, Ehud (እሁድ).

The Four Natures of Flesh

• Fire - represents God's purifying presence and His capacity to refine and test the faith of His followers.
• Water - a potent example, symbolizes God's mercy. It is through baptism, purification, and transformation.
• Wind - symbolizes God's presence and might.
• Earth - is a testament to God's nurturing providence.

The Seven Heavens

• Tsreha Ariam - holds a unique position.
• Menbere Sebhat - God reveals Himself in His full glory to His saints.
• Semay We'dud - Magnificent throne of God.
• Eyerusalem Semayawit (Heavenly Jerusalem) - the Heavenly City of Angels.
• Eyor, Ramah, and Arer - the other four heavens.

Angels

• The term "angel" translates to "messenger," aptly describing their role in serving humanity.
• God created hundred tribes of angels within a tripartite heavenly city of Eyor, Ramah, and Arer.
• Each tribe, with its respective chiefs, plays a pivotal role in the divine purpose and cosmic order.
• They also support and inspire Christians in their spiritual journey.

The Seven Archangels

• St. Michael
• St. Gabriel
• St. Raphael
• St. Uriel
• St. Afnin
• St. Phanuel
• St. Raguel

Light and the Firmament

• God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Genesis 1:3).
• On the second day, God created the firmament (sky) and separated the waters.

The Formation of Seas and Dry Land

• On the third day, God gathered the water under the sky to one place, and let dry ground appear.
• God called the dry ground "land" and the gathered waters "seas."

The 20 Different Worlds

• 9 Worlds of fire (ዓለማተ እሳት)
• 4 Worlds of water (ዓለማተ ማይ)
• 2 Worlds of wind (ዓለማተ ነፋስ)
• 5 Worlds of Earth (ዓለማተ መሬት)

Bihere Bitsuan (ብሔረ ብፁዐን)

• Located in the South.
• Brighter than Earth and hell.
• Visited by Apostle Matthew and Aba Zosimas.
• Departed from Earth in the Old Testament.

Bihere Hiyawan (ብሔረ ሕያዋን)

• Located in the North.
• Brighter than the other three.
• It is a place for those saints who departed from this world (earth) while being alive until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The Days of Creation

• Wednesday: God made three great lights: the greater light (the sun) to govern the day, the lesser light (the moon) to govern the night, and the stars.
• Thursday: God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air.
• Friday: God created the creatures that move along the ground (livestock, creatures that move, and wild animals).
• Saturday: God created man (Adam) out of dust.

Adam and Eve

• Adam was created on the sixth day, and Eve was created eight days later on the second Friday.
• 40 and 80 days after their creation, Adam and Eve were bestowed with the grace of being the children of God and filled with the Holy Spirit.
• God venerated them with heavenly light garments, shoes, and crowns and took them to the Garden of Eden, respectively.

Explore the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's theological perspective on creation, based on scriptural evidence and insights from early Church fathers. Delve into the biblical understanding of God's role in creation.