Moving on to new topic - preaching two sermons on Creation, starting next Sunday. This being part of our "Faith Roots in the Public Square" series, it's only appropriate that we take seriously Evolution and Science. So....any thoughts on this? What do you think should be addressed? Right now I'm looking at a few different Scriptural starting points: the Genesis creation story, and Jesus declaration in Revelation that he is the "Alpha and the Omega" - the beginning and the end. Another passage would be John 1 - "in him nothing was made that was made". Any other Scriptures come to mind? What do you think must be addressed by somebody who is going to preach on Creation in today?
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I BELIEVE GOD CREATED THE WORLD, part 1
Moving on to new topic - preaching two sermons on Creation, starting next Sunday. This being part of our "Faith Roots in the Public Square" series, it's only appropriate that we take seriously Evolution and Science. So....any thoughts on this? What do you think should be addressed? Right now I'm looking at a few different Scriptural starting points: the Genesis creation story, and Jesus declaration in Revelation that he is the "Alpha and the Omega" - the beginning and the end. Another passage would be John 1 - "in him nothing was made that was made". Any other Scriptures come to mind? What do you think must be addressed by somebody who is going to preach on Creation in today?
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No one brave enough to jump in?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great follow up to the discussion on truth because the status of God as creator is the foundation of Christianity "...For by him all things were created..." Colossians 1:16. Either this is true or it isn't. Furthermore, one key point of commonality that Christians ought to have with the scientific community is the desire to know the truth.
Having said that, in engaging those who deny the existence of a creator, I think Christians need to be careful of 2 things, in particular.
First of all, Christians must acknowledge that truth obtained through observation (science) is no less valid than truth obtained by theology (the Bible). This idea has a long history in the Reformed tradition and is woven througout Calvin's writings. There are many examples, but I like a passage in Calvin's commentary on Genesis (1.16) where he says "...Moses wrote in a popular style things which, without instruction, all ordinary persons, endued with common sense, are able to understand; but astronomers investigate with great labour whatever the sagacity of the human mind can comprehend. Nevertheless, [astronomy] is not to be reprobated nor this science to be condemned, because some frantic persons are wont boldly to reject whatever is unknown to them." The church seems to have had more than its share of "frantic persons" and by denying the value of observed truth they destroy the church's credibility.
Second, Christians need to be very careful in using the knowledge we do have so as by our ignorance not to bring Christianity into disrepute. This involves several things: being careful not to contradict truths which we have learned by observation; understanding as best we can how the original Biblical audience observed their surroundings so as not to misunderstand our own scripture; understanding scientific methods and discoveries (and their limitations); and taking seriously the possibility we may be wrong.
The last point is especially critical for our own coherence. As Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:17 "...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile..." ... and maybe that's where you should start.
I appreciate this comment, and I think you bring up exactly the points we should be thinking about. And I will, in fact, use that Calvin quote if you don't mind. Let me re-phrase that: I believe I will be using that Calvin quote. The former statement is a scientific one, the latter a faith statement :). Thanks.
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