Theology Proper - Lesson5a
Boundaries of the Doctrine of Creation
by Pastor Bob Burridge ©2000
God's Decree and the Interpretation of Genesis One
(Westminster Confession of Faith IV:1)
The Hermaneutical Foundation
The principles of biblical interpretation that characterize the Reformed approach to
exegesis include the demand that we accept as fact all that is "either expressly set
down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from
Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added" (WCF 1:6). Therefore all that
is supported by the Bible in this way must be maintained. All that is not affirmed by this
rule must remain theoretical and unworthy of consideration in building our confessions
of faith. Theological models are only helpful tools for exploring ideas if they avoid
incorporating concepts and structures not derived by either direct statement, or good
and necessary consequence, from the Bible alone. This approach will give us fewer
answers. But the ones it gives will yield the kind of confidence we ought to have in
matters central to giving proper glory to God.
The development of theological models for understanding the creation of the material
universe must be tempered by this exegetical rule without compromise. The exegete
must not be enticed to propose structures to accommodate assumptions underlying
popular scientific theories, commonly accepted understandings, theological
conjectures, or difficult to reconcile observations. Even the learned views of the
preponderance of scholars with the concurrence of councils is not sufficient to justify
adoption of the most apparently insignificant and seemingly innocuous piece of data.
The confession wisely counsels us, "The supreme judge by which all controversies of
religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we
are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture." (WCF 1:10),
and again "All synods or councils, since the Apostles' times, whether general or
particular, may err; and many have erred. Therefore they are not to be made the rule of
faith, or practice; but to be used as a help in both." (WCF 31:3).
The continuing controversy over the age of the universe, and the time structure of
Genesis 1, has yielded many approaches to the doctrine of creation. I have categorized
16 different views of the interpretation of the "days" of Genesis One. Of the 16, not all
affirm that the Bible is without error and that the rules of interpretation must be
themselves derived from the way God uses language in Scripture. On that basis, some may
be eliminated from the start based upon principles we have already derived from the word of
God.
Since there is but one truth underlying Genesis One, we must conclude that in at least
15 of the 16 views (or perhaps in all 16 of the ones I have presently examined), there are
ideas incorporated which are neither directly stated in Scripture, nor directly derivable
by good and necessary consequence from the Bible alone. The task of the exegetical
theologian is to identify such assumptions and disqualify the models that rely upon them.
This process is negative in that it does not promise to generate a final and acceptable
model which will account for all the revealed information God has given us. Consequently
our duty is not to determine the processes which underlie what is revealed in God's
inscripturated word, but to define the boundaries that guard against conclusions
unsupported by revelation alone. The cry of sola Scriptura becomes a sober warning in
this endeavor.
Creation out of nothing
A fundamentally unique beginning point distinguishes the biblical view from that of the
secularist. It is that all things that exist are believed to have been brought into existance
by the creative power of God who alone is eternal and independent.
The Latin expression "ex nihilo", which means "out of nothing", is often used to
describe the act of creation as recorded in the Bible. The expression is close to the
Greek terms found in the Apocryphal book 2 Macabees 7:28. There it says, "my son, look
upon heaven and earth and all that is in them, and consider that God made them out of nothing,
and mankind also". Literally it would be rendered, "not from existing things did God make...".
Though the words "out of nothing" are not directly found in the Bible, they represent a
theological idea that, if understood in the way intended here, is clearly and necessarily
deduced from Scripture. It must be kept in mind that while creation did not originate
from any pre-existant matter or its counter-part in energy, it did begin from something.
It originated in the decree and power of God who exists eternally. But God used
nothing outside of himself in his creation of the physical universe. The whole
matter-energy continuum which we now observe, had its origin in the intent and power
of the eternal Creator.
John 1:3 "All things came into being through Him; and apart from Him nothing came
into being that has come into being."
Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His
mouth all their host"
Those who do not accept the fact of a Creator have a serious problem in explaining the
origin of the first things. The approach of the classical rationalist requires him to deal
with an unsettling philosophical presupposition. Since observation is his touchstone of
truth, he is forced to follow the principle expressed by the Latin term, "ex nihilo nihil fit"
which means "out of nothing, nothing becomes." This leaves him unable to account for
the initial coming into being of the matter-energy continuum. Since God and his
ancient workings are beyond observation, a non-supernatural beginning to all things
must be devised.
The non-creationist's presuppositions force his theories upon him due to his starting set
of axioms. These beginning assumptions must therefore stand as presumptions without the
possibility of formal proof. Otherwise his starting points cease to exist as axioms.
If provable from other observations or reasons, then the propositions used as proof become
the new axioms. This means that for the pure naturalist, the matter-energy continuum must
itself be eternal, at least in some sense.
The newer cosmological models of origins attempt to incorporate a more
fuzzy and undefined concept of the universe. Probabilistic states
introduced in the quantum approach allow for initial boundary conditions
to be presumed which would allow a sudden origin which became all
things. This permits a theory exempted from having to account for a hot
big bang. But the setting of these boundary conditions is a remaining
difficulty which is often attributed to something prior which they
often, with evident discomfort and a flood of disclaimers, label as god. This
"creator" is certainly not the God of Scripture. He is a philosophical
necessity without which their basic assumptions end the discussion
without the possiblilty of developing any cosmological theories.
There is a further and deeper problem for the secularist. If the universe,
which includes man, is created out of nothing external to God,
by an independent and eternal Creator, then man is accountable to that Creator to live
as he was made to live. He is obligated to fulfill the purposes of the one who made
him. This means that objective absolutes exist and that each person may be justly
considered guilty for failing to obey the Creator and for failing to live up to God's
purpose in creating him. Therefore fallen man struggles with the moral necessity of
denying creation and the moral absolutes implied by it. That is his prejudice which
conditions his interpretation of all facts observed in the universe.
Since we are created as the Bible reports, since humans are made in
God's image, and since they are obligated to glorify him, then it is
man's duty to live according to the Creator's moral principles and to
give his Creator due honor in all things. Man is to subdue all things so
as to manifest God's glory. This forces the conclusion that there is
real purpose in human existence. The doctrine of creation establishes an
objective foundation for human worth and offers true hope and promise
for the redemption of creation so that it will fulfill the purpose for
which it was brought into existence.
The mechanistic view of existence which denies a personal Creator, also denies that
there is any existence beyond the grave or any hope of renewed joy and peace
inwardly during this life.
Areas of Agreement and Disagreement Among Biblical Creationists
All biblical creationists agree that the author of all the universe is the Triune God.
All three persons of the Trinity were involved in the act of creating
all that exists outside of the eternal God, Himself.
God the Father worked in creation:
1 Corinthians 8:6
"there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him..."
Hebrews 1:2 God who...
"in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things,
through whom also He made the world." [the Father working through the Son]
God the Son worked in creation:
Hebrews 1:2 (just quoted above)
John 1:3 of Jesus as the WORD
"all things came into being through Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being
that has come into being."
Colossians 1:16-18
"in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created
through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
God the Holy Spirit worked in creation:
Genesis 1:2
"and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters"
Job 26:13
"By His breath (Spirit) the heavens are cleared (made beautiful)"
Job 33:4
"The Spirit of God has made me..."
Biblical Creationists agree that the purpose of creation is to bring
pleasure to God by manifesting his glory and declaring truth.
Colossians 1:16
"...all things have been created through Him and for Him"
Ephesians 1:11 "...who works all things after the counsel of His will"
Romans 11:36 "for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the
glory forever. Amen."
Isaiah 60:21
"...the work of my hands, that I may be glorified"
Ephesians 3:9-10
"...God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities
in the heavenly places."
Psalm 19:1
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and the firmament is declaring
the work of His hands."
Romans 1:20
"for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power
and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made,
so that they are without excuse"
Biblical creationists also agree that the concept of macro evolution is
not consistent with the record of Scripture. Adam is presented as an individual
human, not a mythical character. He received his physical
form from what is called the "dust of the earth" rather than from
already existing living life forms. He appears as a mature human being
rather than as an embryo or baby. Similarly there are broad categories
of other created things which appear to come into their completed form by
the sudden declaration by God, rather than by natural processes.
Certain categories of created life forms bring forth offspring after their "kind".
The origin of all life forms from one base molecule or organism
is therefore impossible within the boundaries of biblical data.
All biblical creationists also agree that process and change are part of
the development of the original universe into what we see today. For
example, the entire human race, with all its present genetic diversity,
developed from the original gene pool consisting only of what was present in
the first man and woman, Adam and Eve.
Some presume that our genetic diversity came into the human race by sudden acts of
special creation by God at times after the events of Genesis One. They say that
certain genetic configurations and gene combinations were introduced by decree at
various points in response to moral lapses of mankind.
This theory must not be accepted for several
reasons. First, it is neither directly stated nor is it necessarily deduced from an
exegesis of Scripture. It is deemed necessary only to support an assumed set of
conclusions which themselves are not derived from Scripture in a direct or deductive
manner. Second, it denies that all things were created prior to the fall of mankind in
Eden. This is a very questionable idea and is in itself an assumption that goes beyond
the creation record the Bible preserves for us. Third, this theory implies that our racial
diversity and individual appearances are related to moral judgments and therefore
there is something wrong with such differences. Tragically some have used this idea in
support of racial bigotry by promoting the idea that some races are inferior in that they
exist only because of sin and represent God's judgment upon them. Therefore
responsible exegetical theologians will reject this proposal as being unsupported.
Accepting then that diversity has arisen since the time of creation, a further conflict
arises in trying to define the degree to which the unique forms we now
know were either created immediately or are the result of process. The perceived battle between
science and Scripture has often confused the issue more than helped it toward
resolution. One problem is simplified by the principle of bible interpretation so well
stated in the reformed approach to truth; only what is directly stated or necessarily
derivable from Scripture is worthy of being held as Christian doctrine.
It is hard to avoid the natural reading of the language of Genesis which
seems to support that the divine decrees include the use of subsequent process:
for example, we read that God said,"Let the earth bring forth living creatures
... and it was so." One of our tasks is to discover the limits that bound this
process and the meaning of expressions like this one. But to rule out
subsequent process entirely, is to ignore clear statements of the Creation account
and to neglect the continuing work of providence by which God brings that which
he has decreed to pass.
Defining the Issues in the Creationist Debate
The foundation for truth lies in its existence in the eternal mind of the Creator.
Truth itself is established from outside our system of sensory perceptions and is
only know within it by revelation. Revelation has occurred in both the general and
special senses. For the purposes of this paper it will be assumed that the reader
understands the distinction and definitions of these two modes of
revelation. [see the first syllabus on Prolegomena-Revelation
which is based on WCF chapter 1 for a more complete discussion of the modes of divine
revelation.]
We deny the nature of revealed truth if we use arguments for creation that originate
from observations and perceptions that are independent of the special revelation added
for the benefit of our fallen minds. Because such arguments begin with the finite they
cannot establish with certainty the infinite.
The Hermaneutic of "Literal Interpretation"
We must interpret Scripture by the rules of literature as employed by God in the
process of inspiration. It must be read as intended originally by the author for the
purpose he had in mind in each passage considered. It must be interpreted as it would
commonly have been understood by the original readers and in a manner consistent
with the rest of inspired Scripture.
The accepted rules of literature allow for literary forms such as metaphors,
anthropomorphisms, idioms, culturally and temporally significant expressions, and other figures
of speech. There must be no hidden rules of interpretation or secret symbolisms. All
symbolisms accepted in biblical exegesis must have sound evidence for their meaning
taking in the whole linguistic system available to the original readers, particularly their
understanding of the Scriptures available to them at the time the passage in question
was written.
The Bible at times mentions the "hand of God."
Psalm 95:5 "and His hands formed the dry land."
But God reveals himself to be a spirit. As such he has no physical hands.
Therefore we have sound evidence that this is intended figuratively as an anthropomorphism.
The wings of God must also be taken as figurative.
Psalm 17:8 "...Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings"
Since God is spirit, he cannot be imagined as being divided into physical parts
distinguishable as wings.
The "chain" that holds Satan must be taken figuratively.
Revelation 20:1-2 "I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the
abyss and a great chain in his hand. and he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old,
who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,"
Physical chains can't hold spirit beings.
Therefore, by "literal" we mean that the normal rules of literary
interpretation apply. Figurative uses are a part of literature and must
be determined by the context. In the study of the Bible we must consider
the immediate context of the specific passage being considered, and the
context of the other inspired writings taking into consideration the
grammatical and historical context of the original readers.
Author's Note:
I will present the conclusions I have drawn as this study
progresses. I promote what I call exegetical minimalism. This
hermaneutical principle states that the boundaries of our model building must
be set by those things directly stated in Scripture or necessarily derived
from Scripture. By the use of the grammatical-historical-theological method
(as detailed in the first syllabus on Prolegomena -
Interpretation)
the boundaries within which we may safely construct models are drawn most
conservatively. No assumptions drawn from sensory observations, human experience
or a presumed pure reason can be incorporated in the process. While we may permit
variations of views within those boundaries we must neither allow consideration of
models that transgress those boundaries, nor allow our surmises within the boundary
conditions to become elevated to credal statements that bind the conscience.
Preliminary Conclusions
Theological statements are not limited in the same sense as those of scientific theories.
Science is limited by a theology based upon special revelation. It
cannot go beyond what the Creator of all things has made known to be
true. But theology is not limited by science in the same way. We are
not obligated to limit what we accept as true by the narrowness of our
observations.
The questions that continue to divide us may not yield answers for all
we would like to know. We must be satisfied with setting firm boundaries
based upon revealed data only. Within those boundaries we may speculate but
we dare not establish credal statements that bind the conscience of God's
people.
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