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Objection 1: It would seem that the creation of things was not in
the beginning of time. For whatever is not in time, is not of any
part of time. But the creation of things was not in time; for by the
creation the substance of things was brought into being; and time does
not measure the substance of things, and especially of incorporeal
things. Therefore creation was not in the beginning of time.
Objection 2: Further, the Philosopher proves (Phys. vi, text
40) that everything which is made, was being made; and so to be
made implies a "before" and "after." But in the beginning of
time, since it is indivisible, there is no "before" and "after."
Therefore, since to be created is a kind of "being made," it
appears that things were not created in the beginning of time.
Objection 3: Further, even time itself is created. But time
cannot be created in the beginning of time, since time is divisible,
and the beginning of time is indivisible. Therefore, the creation of
things was not in the beginning of time.
On the contrary, It is said (Gn. 1:1): "In the beginning
God created heaven and earth."
I answer that, The words of Genesis, "In the beginning God
created heaven and earth," are expounded in a threefold sense in order
to exclude three errors. For some said that the world always was, and
that time had no beginning; and to exclude this the words "In the
beginning" are expounded---viz. "of time." And some said that
there are two principles of creation, one of good things and the other
of evil things, against which "In the beginning" is
expounded---"in the Son." For as the efficient principle is
appropriated to the Father by reason of power, so the exemplar
principle is appropriated to the Son by reason of wisdom, in order
that, as it is said (Ps. 103:24), "Thou hast made all
things in wisdom," it may be understood that God made all things in
the beginning---that is, in the Son; according to the word of the
Apostle (Col. 1:16), "In Him"---viz. the
Son---"were created all things." But others said that corporeal
things were created by God through the medium of spiritual creation;
and to exclude this it is expounded thus: "In the
beginning"---i.e. before all things---"God created heaven and
earth." For four things are stated to be created together---viz.
the empyrean heaven, corporeal matter, by which is meant the earth,
time, and the angelic nature.
Reply to Objection 1: Things are said to be created in the
beginning of time, not as if the beginning of time were a measure of
creation, but because together with time heaven and earth were
created.
Reply to Objection 2: This saying of the Philosopher is understood
"of being made" by means of movement, or as the term of movement.
Because, since in every movement there is "before" and "after,"
before any one point in a given movement---that is, whilst anything
is in the process of being moved and made, there is a "before" and
also an "after," because what is in the beginning of movement or in
its term is not in "being moved." But creation is neither movement
nor the term of movement, as was said above (Question 45,
Articles 2,3). Hence a thing is created in such a way that it was
not being created before.
Reply to Objection 3: Nothing is made except as it exists. But
nothing exists of time except "now." Hence time cannot be made
except according to some "now"; not because in the first "now" is
time, but because from it time begins.
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