The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Paradise Regained?

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/yep.gif" alt="" /> pretty strong because in my estimation there is no other viable alternative. Scripture is THE sole and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible must dictate all we believe. Thus all things must be brought before the light of Scripture for a proper understanding. Where the Scripture speaks, it speaks infallibly. So, in regard to this matter of the creation days, since it does speak, and again according to the Bible's own hermeneutic, i.e., Grammatico-Historico, the creation account is a 24 hour/6 day event. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As to "natural revelation" it speaks of the existence and power of the triune God and His judgment upon mankind. (Ps 19:1; 50:6; 97:6; Rom 1:18f) All else which can be perceived is but "raw data" which must be interpreted by the light of Scripture. Secular science begins with the premise that there is no God (Ps 14:1) and therefore they have set forth "theories" which for the most part contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. Evolutionary theories, including theistic evolution, either ignore or disregard the clear teaching of Scripture and consequently the conclusions reached are inherently flawed. For example, all secular estimations concerning "dating" begin with the presupposition that matter has evolved by natural consequence, thus the earth is millions/billions of years old. This flies in the face of the biblical witness which testifies that God created a "mature" earth. Thus the age of the earth is very "young" and not "old". Please don't ask me to provide you with an exact date for the earth's creation, for I wasn't there when God created it and the Bible doesn't provide, nor do I believe it was God's intention to provide that information. What I do believe is that the age of the earth is thousands of years old in contradistinction to millions or billions of years old.

Yes I do hold that there is no contradiction between the natural revelation and special revelation, for God is the Author of both. However, natural revelation should not and cannot determine the correct understanding of Scripture.

Lastly, as to your total dismissal of the Westminster Confession and like documents which the Church has produced seems a bit arrogant, IMHO. The right place, and these documents do have a place, which they are to be held is that they are secondary sources of authority only; i.e., that where they are in agreement with Scripture, they are authoritative as a summary statement of biblical teaching. The are applicable, therefore, only to those who have agreed to place themselves under them (denominationally). And although they are secondary sources of authority, it would be rather silly, IMHO, to dismiss the wisdom of those who wrote them. The Scriptures are a closed Canon. But the doctrines of the church were not given in full as the church itself grew not only in size but in knowledge of the Scriptures over time; aka: History of Dogmatics, as the Holy Spirit enlightened men as to the Bible's teaching, usually during times when that which was believed was attacked. And thus, what was held to be true was put into writing by way of judgment, e.g., Nicean Creed, Athanasian Creed, Chalcedon, Council of Orange, Canons of Dordtrect, et al.

Lastly, as to the PCA report, found at the link you provided, knowing the state of that denomination, I am not at all surprised that they were not able to reach a consensus concerning the length of the creation days. Again, I rest my case on the biblical statements, which when taken in context along with all the other items, which e.g., Gentry mentions in his article concerning the text itself, can only be understood to teach a 24 hour/7 day creation. Regardless of the problems which some may have, for example, with the creation of the sun, etc... it is not prudent to try and resolve those issues by relying upon theories which are grounded in naturalistic science that begins with a denial of God.

One other site, which I am confident you are familiar with which offers much in the way of answers to such questions can be found here: Answers in Genesis.

In His Grace,