Common use of Paraphrase Clause in Contracts

Paraphrase. Opif. 6b–12 is part of Xxxxx’x introduction to the treatise. In the preceding sections (Opif. 1–6a) he draws attention to the fact that Xxxxx began his exposition of laws with an account of the creation of the world. Xxxxx did so, as Xxxxx explains, to emphasise that the laws he was about to give were in complete accordance with the governing order of everything that exists. As this governing order embraces everything in existence, Xxxxx understandably emphasises that he can only present a few highlights of the creation of this all-embracing order. He does so from Opif. 13 onwards. First, however, he needs to address an important issue (as he states in Opif. 6b). — Xxxxx’x doctrine of God — This issue is some people’s opinion that the world is without beginning or end and instead is everlasting and not created (Opif. 7a). If the world were indeed uncreated, Xxxxx’ creation story would be rather pointless. Thus, this fundamental issue needs to be addressed first. Xxxxx’x central argument (brought forward in Opif. 10–11) against the claim that the world is uncreated illustrates why he sees this as a fundamental issue. Xxxxx argues that if such a view were true, there could be no governing order in creation. The world would be a chaotic place, ruled by anarchy. As Xxxxx sees it, only God can maintain the order of the world and he can only do so if he is the father and maker of the world, caring for what he has made. The world therefore has to be created. Xxxxx surrounds his central argument with two supporting arguments why the world must be created. His first argument (Opif. 7b–9) is that everything that exists, can only exist because of the impact of an active cause on a passive object. Xxxxx argues that the world needs a creator as its active cause in order to come into existence. Xxxxx’x second argument (Opif. 12) is that the world can be seen to be constantly changing; it is in a constant process of becoming. He then argues that this process of becoming must have a starting-point, an origin. This is why it is appropriate that Xxxxx described the origin of the world.