The debate over the exact nature of God’s creative acts during the six days of creation is both fascinating and essential for understanding the biblical narrative of Genesis. Henry Morris, in his works The New Defender’s Study Bible and The Genesis Record, provides thought-provoking insights into the creation of animal and human souls, particularly focusing on the distinction between bara (to create) and asah (to make or form). However, when carefully examined in light of Scripture, the evidence suggest that the two terms are used interdependently.

The Creation of Nephesh

Henry Morris contends that the “nephesh principle”—the Hebrew term for “soul” or “life”—was created ex nihilo (out of nothing) during the creation week, but he suggests that this principle was not uniquely recreated for each subsequent living creature. The foundational act of creation is described in Genesis 1:1–2: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” From that initial creation of physical matter, God proceeded to form and shape what He had already made, as evidenced in Genesis 1:11–12, when God caused plant life to emerge from the earth.

When addressing living beings with nephesh, Morris identifies a significant distinction. In Genesis 1:21, the term bara (“created”) is used to describe the creation of “every living creature” (nephesh chayah) in the sea and sky. This act signifies the introduction of life endowed with consciousness and the ability to interact with its environment—marking a new and extraordinary creative work that sets these beings apart from plant life.

Morris further observes that the land animals formed on the sixth day (Genesis 1:24–25) were made (asah) rather than created (bara). He interprets this as indicating that God utilized the pre-existing nephesh principle when forming the land animals, rather than engaging in a new act of creation ex nihilo. However, Morris appears puzzled by the fact that the land animals, which he describes as being of a “higher order,” did not receive what he terms “a higher category of divine activity.” In his view, it would seem logical for these creatures, due to their elevated status, to require a level of divine intervention comparable to or exceeding that of the fish and birds created on day five.

To address this, Morris proposes that the act of creation in Genesis 1:21—“every living soul”—encompassed not only the sea and air creatures but also the souls of the land animals. While this interpretation might imply that land animals were physically created on day five, a more likely reading of Morris’s argument is that the souls of the land animals were created on day five, with their physical bodies formed on day six.

However, the notion that the unique, living souls of land animals were not directly created by God on day six is unconvincing. The formation of entirely new creatures strongly supports the idea that both their physical forms and their souls were distinct acts of divine creation. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God’s intentionality and meticulous care in creating every aspect of His creation.

Are Souls Continually Created?

The origin of the human soul is a significant topic in Christian theology, particularly regarding whether each new soul is directly created by God. Over the centuries, three primary views have been proposed to address this question: creationism, traducianism, and preexistence. Each seeks to explain the soul’s origin based on biblical revelation, theological reasoning, and philosophical insight. Let us examine these perspectives more closely.

Creationism

Creationism teaches that God directly and individually creates each human soul at the moment of conception or during the development of the body.

• Biblical Support: Creationists often refer to Zechariah 12:1, which states that God “formeth the spirit of man within him,” and Ecclesiastes 12:7, which describes the spirit returning to God who gave it. These passages highlight God’s active role in forming each person.
• Theological Emphasis: This view underscores the sanctity and uniqueness of each human life, portraying each soul as a direct act of God’s will. It emphasizes God’s continuous creative involvement in the world.
• Addressing Original Sin: Critics of creationism question how original sin, inherited from Adam, is transmitted if God creates each soul ex nihilo (out of nothing). Creationists respond by affirming that original sin is imputed to the soul upon its union with the body, preserving the doctrine of humanity’s fallen nature.

Traducianism

Traducianism argues that the soul, like the body, is propagated through natural procreation, with both body and soul inherited from the parents.

• Biblical Support: Advocates of this view often reference Genesis 2:7, which describes Adam’s soul and body being formed as a unified whole. They also cite Hebrews 7:9–10, where Levi is said to have been “in the loins of Abraham,” suggesting the transmission of human existence through generations.
• Theological Emphasis: Traducianism offers a coherent explanation for the inheritance of original sin, asserting that both body and soul are passed from parents to child, which aligns with the biblical teaching on humanity’s holistic nature.
• Strengths and Challenges: While it provides a strong theological framework for understanding sin’s transmission, some question how an immaterial soul can be generated through physical processes.

Preexistence

Preexistence posits that human souls exist before birth, residing in a spiritual realm or state of waiting, and are later united with a body at conception or birth.

• Historical Background: This idea is most closely associated with Greek philosophy, particularly Plato, and with early church theologian Origen.
• Theological Challenges: Proponents argue that preexistence preserves the soul’s immortality and divine origin. However, this view lacks explicit biblical support and has been deemed heretical by most Christian traditions.
• Orthodox Rejection: Scripture presents no indication that souls exist before conception, emphasizing instead that human life begins as a unified creation of body and soul.

Which View is Correct?

Among the three perspectives, creationism and traducianism are the most biblically and theologically viable options. Preexistence, while philosophically intriguing, is incompatible with Scripture and rejected by orthodox Christianity.

• Creationism is often preferred for its focus on God’s direct involvement in creating each soul, highlighting His ongoing creative power and the uniqueness of every human life.
• Traducianism, however, offers a compelling explanation for the inheritance of original sin and aligns with the biblical view of humanity as a holistic unity of body and soul.

The precise mechanism by which new souls come into existence remains a mystery known only to God. Both creationism and traducianism affirm key biblical truths: the sacred origin of humanity, the transmission of sin, and our ultimate need for redemption through Jesus Christ. While theologians may debate the details, what remains clear is the profound value and purpose of each human soul as part of God’s divine plan.

A Creator Who Forms and Sustains

The biblical account of creation portrays a God who not only creates ex nihilo (out of nothing) but also skillfully forms and shapes from the matter He has already made. This dual pattern highlights both the unparalleled power and the precise intentionality of His creative acts. While Henry Morris’s insights provide a valuable framework for understanding the nephesh principle, Scripture affirms that God’s creation of living beings—especially human beings—is both unique and purposeful.

Morris’s suggestion that the souls of land animals were created on the fifth day raises significant theological concerns, as it implies a form of preexistence for souls. This idea is clearly contrary to biblical teaching and must be rejected. Instead, Scripture supports that the bodies of land animals were formed from existing matter, while their souls were directly and uniquely created by God ex nihilo, emphasizing His continued involvement in the creation of life.