LCMS Lutherans and Evolution

[mlkluther]

@J.E.S

This slogan seems to embody the typical EC rhetoric. This rhetoric attempts to create a theological bait-and-switch which allows the EC to reject the infallibility of Scripture without rejecting the infallibility of Scripture (example: " x is what the Scriptures appear to say, but I really can’t be certain of x because x is only my interpretation and, consequently, it might be wrong). This sort of rhetoric undermines the doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture and ultimately leads to the conclusion that the words of the Bible are not decipherable by “ordinary” people (in addition to ultimately turning on the EC as this “theological skepticism” seeks out new targets). Being the Lutherans we are, let’s interpret Scripture with Scripture .

I understand the struggle that is represented in this paragraph. However, I believe it is too simple of a rejection of a much more complicated issue. Pushing back to “let’s interpret Scripture with Scripture” doesn’t solve the issue. If it was as simple as all that - then every Christian in the world now, and throughout history, would have come to the same conclusions. We Lutherans, ultimately, need to wrestle with the issue of authority. I recall it being mentioned to me many years ago while I was in University that “the perpetual issue for Lutherans, and their potential Achilles’ heel, will always be authority.” I didn’t know what that meant back then. I certainly do now…and I happen to think it may be true.We have no interpretive authority. To say “Scripture interprets Scripture” simply throws it back into the realm of the subjective…because the individuals in this conversation would all argue that they are doing so. It is the postmodern problem…and though I don’t agree with the postmodern philosopher’s answers (that ultimately leads to incoherence and nihilism)…I don’t think we can disregard the very real problems that postmodernism has revealed that existed in the modern mindset.

Furthermore, I would suggest that while the Bible can be read by “ordinary” people…the Bible is not a simple or easy book to read. It is an ancient text with many different historical and cultural settings and influences. It takes some expertise to read it…just as it does to read and understand any ancient text (or even Shakespeare or Chaucer). An example of this might very well be how regularly the Parables of Jesus are misunderstood because of a lack of knowledge of the ANE background. Or, how routinely Revelation is completely misinterpreted because the genre and background is not understood. Or…“I can do all things through Christ” is interpreted to mean that if I just try and believe enough I could make the starting lineup of a NHL hockey team (the fact that no one drafted me when I was 18 is still a bitter pill and I am still waiting for the phone to ring to play centre for the Oilers),