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CREATION

The production of material and spiritual things in their whole substance, done by God and of nothing. God creates out of nothing both because he starts with no pre-existing matter and because he parts with nothing of his own being in the act of creation. Thus creation in the proper sense (first creation) is to be distinguished from the so-called second creation described in Genesis, by which is understood the shaping of formless matter and giving it life and activity.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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