The Bible begins with God:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Scripture does not begin with man, matter, culture, history, or human consciousness. It begins with God. This is the first and most basic truth of reality. God is not a part of creation. He is not one being among many. He is not dependent on the world. He is the Creator of all things.

Creation does not produce itself. Life does not explain itself. The universe does not stand by its own power. Everything exists because God wills it to exist. Therefore, created life is received life. Human life is not self-originating, self-defining, or self-sustaining. Man lives because God gives life.

This means human identity must begin with God. To ask, “Who am I?” without first asking, “Who is God?” is to begin from the wrong source. The biblical answer is that man is created by God, in the image of God, and for the glory of God.

Human dignity does not come from success, education, wealth, social recognition, ability, or power. It comes from creation. Man has worth because God made him. Man has purpose because God designed him. Man has responsibility because God is his Creator.

In BTT terms, this is the first guardrail of life: God remains God, and the creature remains creature. When this order is preserved, life stands in truth. When this order collapses, man begins to live as though he were his own source.