Welcome back to the HTS Genesis series by Dr. J.P. Mosley, part 6!
I want to close these first few blog articles on Genesis 1:1-2 with these final words and comfort from the very Word of God. I see two noticeably clear warnings from the pages of Scripture followed by a very encouraging reality for the Christian.
First, many can come close to suppressing the truth of creation, as Paul says in Romans 1:20 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. Here I have in mind those who are within Christianity or even who belong to the faith but have failed to grasp Genesis 1 and 2 as historical narrative. They have listened to “the science”, which from my perspective of the clear reading of scripture, contradicts the creation account. They, and we will not go into detail in this article on the various theories that do this, however, strive to blend the science of Darwin or others with the words of Genesis 1 and 2. I have found that this blending only brings compromise and/or confusion to Genesis and the rest of Scripture. I have argued over the course of many years this blending of science and scripture or scripture plus “the science” is an extremely dangerous hermeneutic. This has led to many challenges to the word of God. For example, if one cannot trust God at creation, then how can one trust God when it comes to the virgin birth, the resurrection or even salvation? In my opinion, using modern scientific theory, which has not been proven to be fact because of the lack of evidence or ability to reproduce the experimentation or observational witness for a scientific claim, is an extremely dangerous task. It could be seen as moving from scripture plus tradition is how we know what we believe and why we believe it to scripture plus “the science” is how we know what we believe and thus why we believe it. This is not the heritage of the Reformation nor is it what is taught in Scripture. Creation is a matter of faith. Just consider Hebrews 11:1-3 again.
Yet, secondly, we can become complacent in our beliefs as well, saying as Peter said, 2 Peter 3:4 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” Just running through the motions of our very vain lives as if tomorrow is promised to us, not realizing that every day is a gift of God so that we can share in His beautiful message of salvation. I see this as a danger today as well. While I would not agree with “the science” of evolution, I must not forget there is a battle being fought against the very word of God today. His word is still attacked. Many of our covenant youth go off to “Christian” colleges or universities just to turn around and be reindoctrinated concerning the origins of the earth. Why is this happening? Many learn to question the word of God instead of having their faith built up through higher learning. I am a parent as well as a pastor, teacher/professor, and it is my hope to equip my children and students to deal with these issues of creation, life, and giving God glory with how we study His word in both creation and scripture. May I not become complacent in this evil present age. The danger is thinking the battle is over. The battle will last till Christ returns. Paul helps and makes this clear in Ephesians 6:12 to see what our real battle is against.
Now, we must come to understand from these opening verses of the Bible that we have much to be thankful for. Our Creator has created us, redeemed us through His Son, and continues to sustain us through His Spirit. How can we not praise Him every morning we wake up? How can we not give him praise for the day-to-day challenges reminding us of continue care and the opportunity to grow? Even in our lowest of places, we still have moments of clarity where God shows us through His word or through the ministry of others, His love and grace out runs our sins every day. God cares for us and has given to us all that we need to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.
God has so created everything to give Him glory. He created everything out of nothing so that out of everything, He may receive glory. Give God the glory today for His marvelous creation and continue to stand firm even among the challenges that our father Moses went against long ago with these two verses.
Amen!
Dr. J.P. Mosley, Jr., is the Academic Dean and Registrar as well as Heidelberg Theological Seminary’s Professor of Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.