The Lord of Creation
Although human beings are but a part of the natural world, we occupy a unique position as lords of creation. In the Bible, Adam and Eve were granted the blessing of dominion over all things, and the Qur’an accords to each human being the status of God’s “vicegerent.” This means also that God created the natural world for our benefit, as nature provides us with everything we need to live and thrive. Nevertheless, the blessing of dominion is not divine permission to pollute the earth and create artificial environments at nature’s expense. In the agricultural societies where this mandate was first given, human creativity was seen as essentially in harmony with nature’s ebb and flow. We are truly lords of creation when we practice love for all things and use our creativity to enhance nature’s abundance even as we adapt it to our use.
The basis of humankind’s sovereignty over nature is not a matter of size or strength. On that scale of things we are but infinitesimal specks on a planet that is itself but a speck in the infinite reaches of the universe. Rather, it is due to our unique spiritual endowment. Humans seek after God; they seek to better themselves and aspire to a better world. This makes us different in kind from animals. In our awareness of and intimacy with the Creator of the universe, we humans are potentially more valuable than the entire world of creation.
Do we deserve this honor? As Father Moon teaches, since we receive the Creator’s abundant love, we should, in turn, love the creation on God’s behalf. Then we become the bridge between God and the natural world. God loves His creatures through us, and through us the entire natural world is perfected.
1. Human Beings Are Given Dominion over All Things Religious scriptures
I will create a vicegerent on earth. Qur’an 2.30
And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1.28
Do you not see that God has subjected to your use all things in the heavens and on earth, and has made His bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, both seen and unseen? Qur’an 31.20
When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast established; What is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him? Yet thou hast made him little less than God, and dost crown him with glory and honor. Psalm 8.3-5
God is He who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down rain from the skies, and with it brings forth fruits to feed you; it is He who made the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers He has made subject to you. And He made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses; and the night and the day He has made subject to you. And He gives you of all that you ask for. But if you count the favors of God, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude. Qur’an 14.32-34
Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2.19
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
God, the Creator, created human beings as the lords of all things. (323:165, June 1, 2000)
The ideal world is a world that reflects God and fulfills God's purpose of creation. Hence, human beings ever seek a harmonious and peaceful life filled with God's love, and to improve their environment by continually creating new things. Creativity does not mean merely production, but rather all manner of creative actions such as originating new ideas, planning, improving, and producing. Humans have come to reflect God’s creativity through outstanding scientific progress, but so far have not learned His love. Therefore, this world is still filled with sorrow, pain, and distress. (65:259, November 26, 1972)
Who is enlightened? He can embrace a tree and, marveling at its value, exclaims “Oh, God! I bow before Thy greatness that is disclosed in this tree.”… On seeing nature’s incredible variety, he recognizes the exquisite beauty of God’s variegated love and heart. His heart draws him to be a friend to all beings, and every cell in his body rejoices to be their company. If you attain this state, you represent the entire universe. You are the lord of creation… St. Francis preached to the animals and birds. This is no idle tale; it is fact. (9:168, May 8, 1960)
All beings desire true love. This is why human beings, as the lords of creation, should embrace and love all creatures, God’s masterpieces, and teach them how to love. All creation is longing to receive and experience God’s love through men and women who have become one with God at the pinnacle of true love. We should feel ashamed that we have not yet realized this degree of love. All beings exist at a certain level in mutual attraction. At the same time, all beings want to be absorbed into higher levels of love. Thus, minerals want to be absorbed into plants, plants want to be absorbed into animals, and finally all of creation wants to be absorbed into human beings. Through this process they ultimately reach the position where they can experience the essence of true love, which is the love that is nearest to God – the origin of love. God created everything with an intrinsic nature to provide value to a higher level. For example, eels and worms that fish like to eat also provide ingredients for natural medicines for humans. Creatures on a higher level are meant to consume beings on a lower level. Without this process, the universe could not exist. Darwin's theory regarding the survival of the fittest needs to be reexamined in the context of this logic of love. Even ants and microorganisms want true love so much that they will die to become part of an entity of greater love. Because of this principle, human beings, created as the highest partners of God’s love, can consume all creatures. We can enjoy everything we desire, on one condition: that we do so with a heart that represents the love of God, the Creator. (March 14, 1999)
God created all things with forms, but God does not have any form… In order to have dominion over all beings—creatures on earth and angels in heaven—God needed a counterpart who could be their master. That is why He created human beings. Adam [and Eve] were to be the center of God’s dominion over both the spirit world and the physical world. This was God’s purpose for creating human beings. As they relate with the substantial personal Being, the perfection of Adam [and Eve] is the perfection of God’s form. Accordingly, God created Adam and Eve in His image, resembling His character and form. Without humans as His form, God could not have dominion over the world of forms. (35:157, October 13, 1970) |