The Purpose of Creation in Christian and Islamic Views
Senior 1 · Religion and Ethics
The Purpose of Creation in Christian and Islamic Views
Lesson 2 of 4
20 min
The first pages of the Bible tell the story of creation, and the Qur'an speaks of creation in many of its surahs. The two scriptures agree on much and differ on some details. Comparing them carefully, with respect for both, is a skill examiners often test.
God creates by speaking, and each day ends with "There was evening and there was morning".
| Day | What God created (Genesis 1) |
|---|---|
| 1 | light, separated from darkness (day and night) |
| 2 | the sky (the "expanse") between the waters |
| 3 | dry land, the seas, and plants |
| 4 | the sun, the moon and the stars |
| 5 | fish and other sea creatures, and birds |
| 6 | land animals, and human beings, male and female, in God's image |
| 7 | God rested and blessed the day |
At the end: "God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31). Then: "he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done." (Genesis 2:2), and "God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy" (Genesis 2:3).
"The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7). God placed him in the garden of Eden "to cultivate and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18). Then "The LORD God made a woman from the rib which he had taken from the man, and brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:22)
The New Testament adds that everything was made through the Word, whom Christians believe is Christ: "All things were made through him." (John 1:3)
The Qur'an speaks of creation in many passages rather than in one continuous story:
| Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|
| One God creates everything, by his word or command. | The Bible gives a day-by-day order (Genesis 1); the Qur'an mentions creation in many surahs without one continuous account. |
| Both speak of six days (or Days). | The Bible says God "rested on the seventh day" and made it holy; the Qur'an says "naught of weariness touched Us". (Christians explain that "rested" means God finished his work, not that he was tired.) |
| The first man is formed from the earth (dust, clay) and given life by God's breath or spirit. | Genesis 2 says the woman was made from the man's rib; the Qur'an says the mate was created "from" the single soul, without mentioning a rib. |
| Men and women come from one origin, so all people are related. | The Qur'an tells of the angels bowing to Adam and Iblis refusing; Genesis 1–2 does not. |
| Human beings have a special role over the earth. |
Question: State two similarities and one difference between the Bible and the Qur'an on the creation of human beings. (3 marks)
Model answer: Similarities: both say the first man was formed from the earth (dust in Genesis 2:7, clay in Qur'an 15:26) (1 mark); both say God gave him life by breathing into him (Genesis 2:7; Qur'an 15:29) (1 mark). Difference: Genesis 2:22 says the woman was made from the man's rib, while Qur'an 4:1 says God created the mate from the single soul without mentioning a rib (1 mark).
Tip
Memory hook for Genesis 1: "Light, Sky, Land; Lights, Fish and birds, Animals and people; Rest". Notice the pattern: days 1–3 make spaces (light, sky, land and sea); days 4–6 fill them (sun and stars, fish and birds, animals and people).
What did God create on the fourth day, according to Genesis 1?
Answer: the sun, the moon and the stars.
According to Genesis 2:7, how did man become "a living soul"?
Answer: God formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
What does Qur'an 21:30 say about living things?
Answer: God "made every living thing of water".
Who refused to bow to Adam, and why?
Answer: Iblis, because of his pride (Qur'an 2:34).
How do the Bible and the Qur'an differ on the seventh day?
Answer: Genesis 2:2–3 says God rested on the seventh day and made it holy; Qur'an 50:38 says no weariness touched God. Christians explain that "rested" means God had finished his work.
Remember
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