matter in as disorganized a state as possible. As Jon D. Levenson puts it,
the creator is constantly working against a worthy opponent. Levenson
emphasizes the dynamic nature of this view of cosmic confl ict and argues
that it does not question God’s omnipotence, but does question the more
static view of omnipotence of some classic theologies. He goes on to criti-
cize positions that “affi rm the goodness of whatever is” as tending to
“trivialize creation by denying the creator a worthy opponent.” And he
challenges us to consider that “...it is no great accomplishment to have
triumphed over a non-entity or proven superior to one’s own handiwork.”
A bit later he becomes more emphatic still, almost preaching:
The affi rmation that God is the creator of the world is directed against
the forces that oppose him and his acts of creation—the forces of disorder,
injustice, affl iction, and chaos ... The radical implication in this must be
faced ... creation is a positive that stands in pronounced opposition to the
harsh negative of chaos. The world is good; the chaos that it replaces or
suppresses is evil. 14C.S. Lewis, in a different context, arrived at a similar conclusion saying
“There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split
second, is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan.” 15 And Boyd
contends that “a very real battle took place when God created the world,
and is still taking place as Yahweh (not Baal or Marduk) preserves the
world from chaos.” 16 These authors build a strong case that what God has
been and is doing is establishing limits for evil. As Warren beautifully sug-
gests, and paraphrasing, the sacred space that God establishes in creating
leads to numerous other sacred spaces defi ned by the presence of the Holy
Spirit and culminating in the establishment of the Kingdom of God. 17 This
is also seen in several passages of Scripture, none more graphic than in the
Book of Job:
Onto what were its bases sunk?
Who set its cornerstone
When the morning stars sang together
And all the divine beings shouted for joy?
Who closed the sea behind doors
When it gushed forth out of the womb,
When I clothed it in clouds, Swaddled it in dense clouds,
When I made my breakers my limit for it,
And set up its bars and doors,304 B. K. (BEV) MITCHELL