VOCABULARY OF PHILOSOPHY – CREATION

CREATION.—The origin of finite being. Unless we deny the existence of God, we must either believe in creation or accept one or other of the two hypotheses, of which the one may be called theological dualism, the other pantheism. According to the former, there are two necessary and eternal beings, God and matter. According to the latter, all beings are but modes or manifestations of one eternal and necessary being. A belief in creation admits only one necessary and eternal being, at once substance and cause, intelligence and power, absolutely free and infinitely good.