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The concept of Created being in Christianity

Created being encompasses all entities made or formed by God, distinguishing them from the divine or uncreated. Various traditions like Gnosticism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Catholicism offer different perspectives. They agree that created beings are reflections of God's goodness, possess a nature distinct from the Divine, and are subject to change. Created beings have a beginning, are formed from nothing, and highlight the hierarchical relationship with their Creator, emphasizing both the goodness of creation and the distinction from pure reality.

Synonyms: Creature, Entity, Being, Organism, Sentient being

In Dutch: Gecreëerd wezen; In Finnish: Luotu olento; In Spanish: Ser creado; In German: Geschaffenes Wesen; In Malay: Makhluk ciptaan; In Swedish: Skapat väsen; In French: Être créé

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Created being'

Christianity Books

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Works of St. Anselm

(1) Entities or things that come into existence as a result of the Spirit’s expression.[1] (2) Any entity that is formed or brought into existence, which cannot exceed the immeasurable nature of its creator.[2] (3) Refers to all entities that exist and possess the capability of memory and self-awareness.[3] (4) Created beings refer to all entities that exist and possess a nature, which can be compared to the supreme Being in terms of likeness and excellence.[4] (5) Entities that have come into existence through the act of creation and are subject to change.[5]

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) This refers to something that is made, and the provided text contrasts it with the divine nature, which is necessary being.[6] (2) This refers to the state of existence that is brought into being by God, which is the proper effect of God, and is discussed in the context of God's presence and action in all things.[7] (3) Refers to an existence that is formed by God and has a nature that is distinct from the Divine.[8] (4) An entity that comes into existence through the act of creation by God, as opposed to having existed eternally.[9] (5) A being that participates in the nature of being, but cannot produce being absolutely.[10]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The author strove to turn to the service of religion the belief in a Creator and the rational nature of created beings, which others had degraded.[11] (2) This phrase describes what the first book, which is the book of creation, is about, and is the title that Moses designated and marked it with, according to the text.[12] (3) If in created beings there be any portion of space anywhere void of Deity, the void will be of a false deity clearly, which is not the truth.[13] (4) This phrase suggests that beings have been brought into existence by God, highlighting the distinction between their essence and the role of evil.[14] (5) Refers to the Demiurge's recognition that he himself is a product of creation, suggesting a hierarchical relationship with a higher creator.[15]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This refers to something that has been made, and the text makes the distinction that God's essence is not mixed with any created being.[16] (2) Entities made by God that possess goodness because they were created by the inherent goodness of God.[17]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) Any entity that has been made or formed, distinct from the divine or the uncreated.[18]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.  

Gnostic concept of 'Created being'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) All genera, species, and individuals on earth are seen as reflections of the original types created from the three principles.[19]

Plural form: Created beings.