What is the doctrine of continuous creation? Is God continually creating?

The doctrine of continuous creation (creatio continua) is a fundamental yet often neglected concept in Christian theology. According to this doctrine, God maintains an ongoing creative process that sustains everything from the start of time until the end. Through Scripture and centuries of theological development, the doctrine of continuous creation shows how God demonstrates His absolute power as He constantly interacts with the world He created.

Biblical evidence supports the concept of continuous creation. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 1:17 that Christ exists “before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Hebrews 1:3 says the Son is “sustaining all things by his powerful word.” God sustains everything because creation depends on it. Without the unceasing application of the divine will, there would be no creation.

According to Acts 17:28, humans “live and move and exist” in God (NLT). This verse highlights the dependence of creation on the Creator. God is the source of everything.

Many scholars distinguish between “preservation” and “continuous creation.” Continuous creation means God is active in creation and engages with it rather than simply preserving or sustaining what already exists. Although the distinction between these concepts appears minor, it holds important implications. According to continuous creation, the world exists entirely because of God’s active will. The existence of creation depends on God’s divine intervention at each moment. If God ever became uninvolved or apathetic toward His creation, the universe would disappear completely.

God remains the source of all existence because He remains the active reason behind everything. According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, God maintains and controls all creatures, actions, and things:

The doctrine of continuous creation rejects deism, the notion that God created and then abandoned His universe to function independently. Continuous creation maintains the principles of classical theism and teaches that God directly manages every aspect of the universe.

The continuous creation doctrine also opposes materialistic views that claim the universe operates through self-regulating mechanisms, with no divine intervention. The continuous creation doctrine teaches that God expresses His will through all natural laws. For example, gravity exists only because God constantly ordains its functioning. The interactions of God with His creation are so dependable, so predictable, that we have formulated various “laws of nature” to identify them.

Christian beliefs about the world and our position in it transform significantly when people understand the concept of continuous creation. Such a perspective promotes humility and develops a deeper appreciation for divine blessings. The doctrine of continuous creation also cultivates trust in God’s providential care.

Through the process of continuous creation, God demonstrates that His relationship with creation remains deeply personal. God maintains the world, actively holding everything together because He knows and loves His creation.

Continuous creation is a core doctrine that helps uphold a complete Christian worldview. God is both the Creator and Sustainer of everything. God actively participates in every aspect of the universe, from the smallest atomic structures to stars yet unseen by the most powerful telescopes.