God the Recreator

Recently I was reminded of an interesting interpertation of Genesis 1 in which the text is read as decribing two phases of creation. Initially God creates, out of nothing, the entire univese (1:1). Then, some unknown catastrophe occured and the earth, which had been thriving and supporting life of some sort, and the earth "became formless and empty" (1:2, see the NIV note on the verse). The following verses then describe God acting to undo the damage, reordering, restoring, and repoulating the earth in the seven days of creation. Now, this interpertation appears to me to have much textual merit, but it is beyond my purpose and skill to defend it here.

I am more interested in reflecting upon the implications of this interpretation. By this reading of the text, the first look we are given at God's character is of Him as not only a creator, but as a recreator. In many ways, this aspect of God as recreator is at the very crux of Christianity. After all, to truly accept Christ is to be "born again" (Jn. 3:3). It is essential for a Christian to acknowledge God as the recreator as well as the creator. Many people acknowledge God as the creator, the establisher of nature and its laws. However, a creator need not be concerned or active towards his creation. God was not merely an artist who painted a beautiful picture, saw hat it was good, and hung it up on the wall of some museum , and trusted others to maintain it. God as a recreator is a constant, active agent in His universe. To merely see God as the creator is a scientific statement about His existence. To see God as a recreator is a spiritual statement acknowledging His presence. By admitting God is the creator we honor Him as the giver of life. By accepting Him as the recreator, we worship Him as the Lord of our life.