What term describes the belief that the universe originates from specific acts of divine creation rather than natural processes?

The belief that the universe originates from specific acts of divine creation rather than natural processes is known as creationism. This concept holds that a supernatural being, often identified as God in the context of Judeo-Christian beliefs, purposely created the universe and all life within it. Creationism contrasts with scientific explanations like evolution, which describe life and the universe as arising through natural processes over time.

Creationism often encompasses various interpretations of religious texts, particularly the Book of Genesis in the Bible, and emphasizes a view of the world where divine intervention plays a crucial role in the existence of life and the structure of the universe. This belief system can also be connected to the idea that the world is relatively young, as suggested in certain literal interpretations of religious scriptures.

In contrast, evolutionism refers to the biological theory that species evolve over time through natural selection, intelligent design posits that life and the universe are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process, and materialism asserts that everything arises from material components and natural processes, denying any supernatural role. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why creationism specifically addresses the divine origin of the universe in contrast to other philosophical and scientific viewpoints.