Schepping

Schepping is a Dutch noun meaning creation, the act of bringing something into existence. In everyday usage it can refer to the making of objects or works, but the term is most often used in religious and philosophical contexts to denote the origin of the universe or of life.

Origin and linguistic notes: The word derives from scheppen, to form or shape; it is cognate with German Schöpfung. In Dutch religious literature, schepping denotes the act by which a divine being brings the world and its inhabitants into existence. In biblical contexts it commonly aligns with the concept of creatio ex nihilo, though interpretations differ across traditions.

Religious and philosophical contexts: In Judaism and Christianity, schepping traditionally describes the creation narrative in Genesis, followed by maintenance and governance of creation. In Islam, God is considered the Creator of all that exists. Hinduism and other traditions sometimes present creation as cyclical or emanative, rather than a single event. Cosmologies may describe creation, preservation, and destruction as ongoing processes.

Usage in culture and science: Outside theological discourse, schepping can denote artistic or literary creation, as well as the design of technologies or institutions. In secular discourse about the origins of the universe, scientific accounts such as the Big Bang theory address cosmogenesis without attributing purposeful creation; the term schepping remains reserved largely for theological or literary contexts in Dutch.

Summary: Schepping thus designates both the religious concept of a divine act that origins existence and a broader sense of making or bringing forth, spanning cultural, philosophical, and contemporary usage.