The Ignatian vision is one of the perspectives from which it is possible to study the creation of humanity, people’s relationship with God, and the ethical principles of life. Creation is the major theme of Ignatius’s “The First Principle and Foundation,” which, by definition, provides the basic understanding of how the world is organized. This essay focuses on the concept of creation and the morale of humans’ life, as well as how these theological claims are related to other sacred texts.
In the Ignatian theological context, creation is the source of life and is what allowed humanity to emerge. Life in this text is presented as a gift from God, who granted it to people. Other things created by Him exist “to help them in working toward the end for which they are created.” Therefore, the creation of human beings was not God’s sole goal, and life is not the reason for humans’ existence. According to Ignatius’s vision of life, “the end” is the final destination of every human, and God’s creation of people is what leads them to it. Therefore, creation is seen as the beginning of the long way towards God, and the things created by Him should help humans in this lifetime journey.
An important message related to the theme of creation is that people should respect God’s gifts and make the right choices in their lives. Therefore, Ignatius encourages to use all the things created by God that help one towards “the end” and avoid everything that can make a person further from Him. Moreover, he states that an individual should not focus on things themselves but rather on their meaning in their life to become a loving and honest individual. If humans abuse God’s gifts and make them the center of their life, it will prevent them from developing as good people. Therefore, the creation of humanity and material things gives people an opportunity to choose their own path, which would help them in their journey towards God.
The similar motives of creation are presented in Genesis, Chapter 1-3. God created the world in six days and gave life to the first humans, Adam and Eve. The idea of making choices is also reflected in how Eve ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because of this disobedience, God cursed Adam and Eve, which proves that the wrong life decisions make people further from Him. Therefore, in Genesis, God is depicted as the creator of humanity and all the things that can be helpful or harmful to people.
In the Book of Exodus, it is possible to see how the ethical principles of life described by Ignatius are reflected in the ten commandments of God. He instructs people to be committed to him, which corresponds to Ignatius’s vision of seeing God in every detail and going towards Him. Moreover, other commandments, such as not to murder, steal, commit adultery, or be envious, imply that being an honest, loving, and kind individual is the only right way leading to God. Therefore, this Book of the Bible reveals the main principles of a good human life.
In conclusion, it is possible to say that Ignatius’s “The First Principle and Foundation” provides a fundamental understanding of the beginning of the world and the moral life principles. Creation is presented as God’s gift, making people closer to “the end.” In life, people need to choose the way that would make them better as humans and help them move towards God. These ideas can also be found in Genesis and Exodus, where the ideas of creation and following God’s commandments reflect how the world was created and what principles of ethics should be the basis of life.