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God Almighty is incomparable to the Universe – It is an error to reference God as His creation

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I have heard people liken God Almighty to the universe. Some have often referred to Him as the universe. It has become a norm in the circular world to reference God Almighty as the universe.

For instance, pop culture has equated or replaced God with the universe, and this has become a normal thing, used in traditional and social media posts. Individual narratives that require the mention of a higher power or authority will usually invoke the universe as that power.

Often, most celebrities from all spheres of life praise the universe for the good things that happen to them and also direct their fear to the uni­verse as paying them back for their bad choices. When things don’t go their way, they wonder if the universe is teaching them a lesson or simply has other plans (Szterszky, 2018).

Even professing Christians at times speak of the universe rewarding or punishing them, or else teaching them a lesson instead of referencing God Almighty. Some pray to the universe instead of God.

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Biblically, equating or referencing God to the Universe is an error. God is much higher and bigger than the universe because He created the universe. This article examines some biblical scrip­tures that highlight this error.

The universe is everything that exist anywhere and forms part of God’s creation. The synonyms for the universe include population, existence, creation, world, cosmos and macrocosm. These are the handiworks of God and should not be equated to God.

On the other hand, God Almighty is the creator, not a creation, he created the world, the cosmos, the terrestrial beings and we cannot trade His glory with that of His creation. It is an error that needs to be corrected (Genesis 1:1-31).

God is the ultimate and eternal creator, while the universe is seen as a vast and finite creation. God is generally considered to be beyond the universe, encompassing it and existing inde­pendently, while the universe is viewed as a product of God’s creation and sub­ject to the laws of nature and time.

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While God is described as infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal, His attributes show that He exists out­side of the universe and is not a part of the physical world. God is the creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. God is believed to have created the universe from nothing and continues to maintain its existence and order. John 1:1-5).

The universe on the other hand, is viewed as a finite, physical system governed by natural laws. It is seen as a product of God’s creation and subject to the constraints of space and time. Science explores the natural laws and processes that govern the universe. While science explains to some extent how the universe works, it has not been able to address the existence or nature of God.

The following scriptures explain the attributes of God that distinguishes Him from His creation.

The book of Colossians 1:15-20(AMP) says of Jesus, the Incomparable Christ:

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15. “He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.

16. For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or domin­ions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him.

17. And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, co­hesive force of the universe.] [Proverbs 8:22-31]

18. He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. [1 Corinthians 15:20]

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19. For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),

20. and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

In the book of Romans 1: 19 – 28 (AMP) it is said:

19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.

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20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attri­butes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His hand­iworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], [Ps. 19: 1-4.]

21 Because when they knew and recognised Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].

23 And by them the glory and majes­ty and excellence of the immortal God were exchanged for and represented by images, resembling mortal man and birds and beasts and reptiles.

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24 Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],

25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it). [Jer. 2:11.]

26 For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affec­tions and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,

27 And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another–men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.

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28 And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and con­demned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,

We cannot trade the glory of God with that of His creation. If you must give glory to God, do so and don’t equate it to the universe. The universe by itself cannot do anything for you. It is under the control of the Supreme Being, God Almighty who created it and controls it. God will not trade His glory for anything because He is All in All.

Recognise God and His divinity, deity and authority and give Him the honour due Him. It is either God to whom you give honour or something else. When you are tempted to equate good things, remember it should be to God Almighty and not to the universe. May God give us all understanding of who He is and that we know Him for ourselves.

End.

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Rev. Dr R. Esi Asante is an Assistant Pastor at the Upcity Church Interna­tional in Accra. She is also a lecturer with the Faculty of Management at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

By Rev. Dr R. Esi Asante (PhD)

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Harsh soaps, pills harmful to children’s skin — Public Health Nurse

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Jonathan Kwame Quarshie Public Health Nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital
Jonathan Kwame Quarshie Public Health Nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital

A disturbing practice in which some mothers and caregivers use skin-lightening creams, harsh soaps and even pills on children in an attempt to make their skin lighter has come under strong criticism from a public health nurse.

Mr Jonathan Kwame Quarshie, a Public Health Nurse at the Ho Teaching Hospital, has cautioned mothers and caregivers to desist from bleaching the skin of children, describing the practice as unnecessary and potentially harmful to their health.

He said it was worrying that some caregivers were exposing children to cosmetic products meant to alter their natural complexion, despite the delicate nature of children’s skin.

According to him, the situation becomes even more concerning when pills or tablets are given to children with the promise that the products would make their skin lighter “from within”.

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“There is no justification for giving a baby or child an unprescribed substance for cosmetic purposes,” he cautioned.

Mr Quarshie stressed that “a baby is not a beauty project” and urged parents to appreciate and protect the natural complexion of their children rather than trying to change it to conform to perceived standards of beauty.

He explained that children’s skin was delicate and could be adversely affected by inappropriate cosmetic products, particularly those containing potentially harmful substances.

Some skin-lightening products may contain substances such as mercury, hydroquinone or potent corticosteroids, which could cause skin irritation, damage and other health complications depending on the substance and level of exposure, he said.

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Of particular concern, he said, was mercury exposure, which could affect the nervous system and kidneys.

He therefore warned parents against treating children as “laboratories for beauty experiments” and urged them to consider the long-term health implications of exposing children to unnecessary chemicals and medicines.

Mr Quarshie said children did not need to have lighter skin to be considered beautiful, adding that what they needed was love, acceptance, proper nutrition, safe, age-appropriate skincare and appropriate medical care when necessary.

He advised parents whose children had skin conditions, unusual pigmentation, persistent rashes or other skin concerns to consult qualified health professionals rather than attempting to lighten or treat their skin with unprescribed products.

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He also urged caregivers who had already used skin-lightening products on their children to stop further use and seek medical advice, particularly where a child developed irritation, swelling, skin thinning, changes in skin colour or other unusual symptoms.

He said it was worrying that children, particularly girls, were increasingly facing pressure to conform to certain standards of beauty from an early age.

He appealed to parents and families to create an environment in which children would grow up appreciating their natural appearance and understanding that their skin colour was not a problem that needed to be corrected.

“Every shade deserves protection. Every child deserves safe care,” he said, urging society to focus on protecting the health, dignity and wellbeing of children rather than changing their natural complexion.

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He said children needed protection, not bleaching.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua

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Drop in prices of foodstuff …traders ‘chase’ buyers

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A plantain seller at Pokuase.

TRADERS of foodstuffs such as tomatoes, cassava, plantain and pepper are overwhelmed by the significant drop in prices across various markets and are urging customers to visit the markets to buy.

The development has come as a big relief to families who visit the markets for these essential ingredients used in daily food preparation.

A vegetable seller sitting behind her wares

When The Spectator visited markets around Accra Central, Agbogbloshie and Kingsway, among others, tomatoes had flooded every inch of space and were being sold at very affordable prices.

The situation was the same for other foodstuffs, including plantain, cassava and pepper.

A woman buying some yam at the konkomba yam markert Agbogbloshie.

The items were being sold at affordable prices as traders chased buyers.

Interacting with some traders, they said the abundance of foodstuffs had increased patronage at the various markets, with customers buying in large quantities.

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With a budget of GH¢300, they claimed, one could buy enough foodstuffs to feed a family at home.

A trader, Esther Nyarko, told The Spectator that prices had reduced significantly and advised members of the public to buy in large quantities for storage.

“Cassava, for instance, can be cut into pieces and stored in a freezer. It can also be ground and processed into powder. In the same way, other foodstuffs can be stored in freezers so that when the season ends, people will have some to fall back on,” she said.

According to the traders, the current abundance of seasonal foodstuffs would not last forever, adding that scarcity could follow the harvest period.

Rose Nyarko, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, said the abundance of tomatoes, pepper, onions and other vegetables was encouraging, adding that the lower prices were prompting customers to buy more.

Ms Anita Abban, a market woman at Kingsway, said farmers deserved commendation for making the foodstuffs available. She urged the government to support storage and transportation to prevent produce from going to waste.

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A third trader, Maame Akua, told The Spectator that the development, coming after a period of vegetable scarcity, had brought joy to many people. She added that consumers were buying more than they needed in order to store some for future use.

A customer, Aunty Esi, said, “I came to buy foodstuffs for my family. I was surprised by the quantity available. There is no shortage, so I believe consumers should take advantage of the situation.”

Ms Rebecca Kumi said the variety of foodstuffs available was encouraging.

“The variety is good. You can find plantain, cassava, yam, tomatoes, pepper and other foodstuffs in large quantities. It makes shopping easier, and they are cheap. I wish it remains so for a long time,” she said.

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By Linda Abrefi Wadie

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