Convention

Convention confesses: ‘God created the world in six natural days’

Comments (8)
  1. Sean Benson says:

    I love the LCMS but respectfully disagree with this position. The Bible clearly identifies God as the author of creation, but I do not believe Genesis attempts to make a scientific case as to how God created the world and the precise frame within which He did so. Luther routinely makes the case that we are to pursue excellence in our vocations as a way to serve others, and I would suggest that this teaching applies to those scientists who are trying to discern the age of the earth. The Bible does not hinge on a young earth interpretation, and we run the risk of telling scientists how to do science. It leaves us in a precarious position, as our realm is metaphysics, not natural science. Thank you.

    1. Phillip Wochner says:

      Right on, Sean. What’s more, when our young people learn the facts about the fossil record, the genetic bush of life (however scrambled), and the physical similarities and differences between organisms living and dead, they all too often reject Christ. We need to reach out to scientists, too; and if we try to tell them that the world was made in 6 days, they will think we’re just pushing our religion; and if we push “creation science,” they will think that we are pushing snake oil too. Precisely because the gospel is so precious, it should not be bound up in the mythology of the ancient Middle East.

  2. Andrew Safarik says:

    I thank God that our synod maintains God’s Word as truth. The fact that more people looked at this article than any other shows the keen interest in our walking together depends on our following God’s Word first and foremost.

  3. Erika Mildred says:

    That God made the world in six days is abundantly apparent. Genesis is not mythology; it is history. And though creation is indeed miraculous, the language, message, and meaning about it as recorded in Genesis are clear. I am pleased with this resolution and look forward to further pursuits in the LCMS of connecting faith and science.

  4. Amy says:

    If you are assuming that the earth is not young and God did not create it as stated in His word than you must introduce death and destruction for MILLIONS OF YEARS before the Fall of man and introduction of sin into the world. So much for God’s “very good” creation…
    Perhaps you should check out the information available through resources like The Creation Museum and Creation.com before you lead others astray…

  5. Jennifer Connelly says:

    I disagree, Mr. Benson and Mr. Wochner. While certainly scientists can and should continue to discover and learn from God’s creation, things like carbon dating and fossils records are flawed tools for giving us an accurate timeline. The worldwide flood noted in Genesis must be considered and realized a true account of history. I think it takes more faith/religion to believe in an “old earth” than what the Bible tells us.

  6. Gary Jensen says:

    Although the LCMS officially claims to elevate the Bible above human opinions, they actually turn that posture on its head. For over eleven years I urged in vain for my fellow LCMS clergy to at least consider an alternate interpretation that is far more faithful to the Word of God in Genesis 1 than is the LCMS view. Two examples include the facts both that 1:1-2 is entirely consistent with Big Bang cosmology, while the “evening/morning” creation-day refrain that the chapter repeatedly employs, widely distances itself from the specification of a standard day according to Leviticus 23:32. Why this obvious disparity? It is because the text of Genesis 1 points in a direction that differs from the rutted path the LCMS is taking.

  7. Carey Gardiner Mack says:

    I still don’t understand why the word “natural” was added. The Bible says they are “days.” Leave it at that. I wasn’t satisfied by the “official” explanations.