The Lutheran Option?

While of course I never favor censorship, I do think that the ‘age’ interpretation is a stretch. At the end of each day, Genesis says “and there was evening and there was morning”. There are other considerations. It’s either literal or allegorical, I don’t think to reinterpret the length of the days will make much progress. I use to hold the Day and Age interpretation myself for a long time.

We teach that God has created heaven and earth, and that in the manner and in the space of time recorded in the Holy Scriptures, especially Gen. 1 and 2, namely, by His almighty creative word, and in six days. We reject every doctrine which denies or limits the work of creation as taught in Scripture. In our days it is denied or limited by those who assert, ostensibly in deference to science, that the world came into existence through a process of evolution; that is, that it has, in immense periods of time, developed more or less of itself. Since no man was present when it pleased God to create the world, we must look for a reliable account of creation to God’s own record, found in God’s own book, the Bible. We accept God’s own record with full confidence and confess with Luther’s Catechism: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures.”

The above is the official LCMS stance on origins.

As Lutherans, scripture is our highest authority, as it is the word of God, so we will say what the Bible says. To be sure, some things in the Bible are open to some interpretation, but I am afraid I must tell you that Genesis does not really fit into that category. With the scriptural foundations of Lutheranism in mind, the LCMS decision is not surprising.

The point, also, is not to affirm evoltuion. However, at core is the question about:

As a Christian who affirms evolution, I find no conflict with my understanding of evolution and this statement. I do not “deny or limit” what Scripture said in deference to science. Nor is evolution in conflict with the doctrine that “God has made me and all creatures”.

There are versions of evolution that are in conflict with Lutheran doctrine, but there are also versions consistent with it. That is good news for the LCMS because about 40% of LCMS parishioners affirm evolutionary science.

1 Like

Is that like Catholics who use birth control or is the LCMS likely to change?

2 Likes

Yet, there is no “evening and morning” for the seventh day. Thus, entirely apart from science–solely on biblical grounds–there can be very good reasons for questioning the “literal” six-day creation view. In this instance, e.g., many have wondered whether (a) the seventh day has not yet begun and God has not rested yet, but God will do that in the future; (this is often coupled with Jesus’ statement that my father worketh hitherto, and now I work, or the text in Hebrews chap 4 about entering into God’s rest) or (b) God is still resting, and the seventh day hasn’t ended yet, so the creation “days” might not be “literal” days. I have no dog in that fight, except to underscore that interpreting the “days” is not as straightforward as Ken Ham and others like to assume.

Partly guilty as charged. I know George and his work originally through the ASA, though I have also seen him in a few other places.

One of the things I learned from George is that a “Lutheran voice” might emphasize theology of the cross (the suffering servant, who put aside power and allowed himself to be crucified) over theology of glory (the God of the philosophers, as in natural theology). That is Lutheran language, and in many evangelical circles it’s not heard very much (if at all).

Having learned this from George, I’ve repeated it myself in conversations with many friends who promote ID, as a way of emphasizing that the error Paul taught in Romans chapter 1 was not the error of failing to see the evidence for God’s existence, but the error of failing to find the true God–the crucified God that Paul had to tell them about. In other words, Romans One isn’t so much a text about the need to make natural theological arguments (George would probably say this in stronger terms), but about the need to be explicit about the specific God who created all things: Jesus Christ, he who was crucified and raised from the dead. Indeed, the negative results that Paul preaches against are preached to those who “knew God” from nature, but “not as God,” and so they practiced idolatry, worshiping the wrong god(s), serving “the creature more than the Creator.”

When I said those things in ID circles, I was met with incredulity. Many proponents of ID have indeed written the sorts of things I was told: that Romans teaches the need to do natural theology, and that any type of TE (including EC) that de-emphasizes design arguments is actually heretical, or at least in defiance of clear biblical teaching.

Well, I still think George is right about this text. A subsequent thought of my own, as an historian, is as follows. Paul was making common ground with his pagan Roman audience. As a highly literate Greco-Roman Jew, Paul knew perfectly well that the Stoics and other Roman writers (such as Cicero) were natural theologians. For example, Cicero argued that the great regularity and swiftness of celestial motion (remember that for the ancients, the starry heaven revolves daily about the Earth) is powerful evidence for a transcendent wisdom behind nature. Paul knew that many in his audience believed that, and he reminded them of it: “they are without excuse,” they already know that God exists. In other words, Paul wasn’t teaching the need to do natural theology; he was assuming that his audience already accepted the validity of inferring God from nature. The problem he was addressing was idolatry, not atheism: they already knew about the divine power, but were worshiping the wrong kind of divine power(s), false gods that they created for themselves from the creation, failing to see the true Creator.

In my conversations with theologians, biblical scholars, and historians at Concordia these past two years, I deliberately shared my thoughts on this text with them (as outlined above) and asked for comments: was I off base, or on target? Was this an appropriate way to interpret that text? Several affirmed my view, and no one spoke against it. They saw (of course) that it was fully consistent with preaching the theology of the cross, not the theology of glory, and it was also consistent with what they know about the biblical world.

If there is a distinctly Lutheran voice yet to be heard in the evangelical conversation about origins, then, it might indeed be this: don’t be so quick to promote natural theology. Remember that we preach the crucified God, not the God of the philosophers.

With thanks and appreciation to George Murphy, who first helped me see this great truth.

5 Likes

@Swamidass or others:

Is there a post in this thread (or in some other thread) that specifies what the Lutheran Option is?

I assume that this “option” is specific to a particular branch of Lutheran faith?

1 Like

I think that these are really missing the point. This is not about the LCMS changing their position as much as them finding their voice. They have been wise to refrain from taking an official position. Even the statement on days by their President is a statement of personal belief, not of official position.

It is not likely that LCMS will endorse evolution, but it is possible they will enter the conversation as a new voice in all camps. This gets to @gbrooks9’s statement…

I would say that the Lutheran Option could be a new framework for thinking about origins, rooted in Lutheran theology. I do not think it will be YEC, OEC, or EC, but it might be a better way of begin YEC, a better way of being OEC, and a better way of being EC.

For example, not the irenic tone in Dr. Arand’s article: A Travel Guide to the Evangelical Creation Debates: Introduction - Concordia Theology. The way he has described it to me is that most Christians in this debate are “first article” Christians, but Lutherans are “second article” Christians. The first article is focused on creation (which Lutherans also affirm), but Lutherans are more focused on Jesus (the second article) as the foundation. From that point of view, they are much more oriented towards finding common ground with all those that follow Jesus across the debate, much as we have seen from other Lutherans, like @J.E.S.

I am not Lutheran myself, but I am certainly a second article Christian too, so this a very compelling model for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops.

I also do want to acknowledge two things:

  1. I am not saying a reformed view is a mistake or wrong, but rather that a reformed orientation has dominated the conversation. Yes, its true that BioLogos was first started in a more Welysian tradition, even leaning towards Open Theism at times, but it overtures currently appeal frequently to reformed though, and its view of the Two Books is distinctly reformed.
  2. @George Murphy is an excellent example of the exception to the rule, but even then he is not LCMS. I’ve personally very much appreciated his work here, and reccomend everyone read his PSCF article critiquing the Two Books metaphore, which I believe is spot on: http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/2006/PSCF3-06Murphy.pdf.

The point is not that there has been no contributions from Lutherans, or that all other voices hold no value. Of course a Reformed voice is important too, and we occasionally hear from Lutherans.

Rather, I am point out that the voice has been largely silent and we are suffering from this. Most distinctly is the weak Christology throughout the debate. One can read thousands of pages in the origins conversation without ever encountering Jesus. When he is mentioned, he is often presented as threatened by our human debates, in need of protection. Nothing like the Jesus we find in Scripture.

In particular, some of the points that @TedDavis has raised are really important.

Here here. I agree with that. I find that to be much more grounded than otherwise.

1 Like

Thanks to Ted Davis for his statement about the significance of the theology of the cross for these discussions. That has indeed the basis of my approach to science-theology issues for about the last 35 years. In doing that I have been explicit about the fact that I’m extending Luther’s concern from issues of law, sin, and justification to the doctrine of creation - though that’s consistent with Luther’s statement that “true theology and recognition of God are in the crucified Christ.” The event of the cross - which means not just the death of Christ but the resurrection of the Crucified One - reveals the creator most fully.

And as God is paradoxically hidden in his revelation in that event, we shouldn’t be surprised if God is hidden in the work of creation. Luther (as well as Pascal and, I found recently, the Catholic priest and cosmologist Lemaitre), would quote Isaiah 45:15: “Truly, you are a God who hides yourself.”

3 Likes

Interesting response from our old friend @Eddie

http://potiphar.jongarvey.co.uk/2018/01/17/natural-theology-id-and-lutherans-a-response-to-davis-murphy-and-swamidass

Sort of demonstrating @TedDavis’s point, even as he critiques it.

For those curious, I explain more of my position in on the Lutheran Voice in the Concordia journal. That will really help explain what I think Lutherans could add here: https://concordiatheology.org/2017/09/concordia-journal-summer-2017/

1 Like

I’ve read Charles P. Arand’s paper in the same journal, He writes:

Even though the Bible gives the impression of a relatively young universe with its six-day creation it does not give an age; for this reason the age of the earth has not been considered a doctrinal issue.

This seems a bit at odds with actual practice. For example, scientists/professors at Concordia like Jurchen must tiptoe extremely carefully in their public presentations and firmly acknowledge that they adhere to YEC account. Conversation is certainly useful for starting things rolling, but I’d suggest what they really need is a revolution in doctrine to come up to speed.

1 Like

A key point that he is correctly making is that even if “days” in Genesis 1 are 24 hrs, the age of the earth cannot be computed from the Scriptural account. Without enumerating the large number of reasons why, suffice it to say there are several ways the earth could be old, but the Genesis 1 day is a 24 hr period.

Rather than a revolution, I think they are beginning a conversation with a great deal of nuance. A revolution in Lutheran doctrine is unlikely.

It appears that many scientists who publicly propose the notion that subsequent days actually covered eons tend to leave the LCMS or, if teaching at an LCMS-based university, are politely asked to vacate their positions. For example if Arand wrote that he thinks the Earth is billions of years old and that humans have walked the planet for hundreds of thousands of years, should he expect to retain his current position?

aka. theological hair splitting :slight_smile:

My reply is also for @Eddie, who wrote a lengthy commentary on my view of Romans at
The Hump of the Camel. (Natural Theology, ID, and Lutherans: A Response to Davis, Murphy and Swamidass | The Hump of the Camel )

My own attitude toward natural theology is somewhere in between that of George Murphy and “Eddie.” If I felt that natural theology were entirely illegitimate, or had no value, I wouldn’t have edited the title chapter of Polkinghorne’s Belief in God in an Age of Science for BL. It’s natural theology, pure and simple, and I like it a great deal: https://biologos.org/blogs/ted-davis-reading-the-book-of-nature/belief-in-god-in-an-age-of-science-john-polkinghorne-part-one

I also talked about how one might still do natural theology after Darwin–a possibility that I believe Darwin foresaw–here: https://biologos.org/blogs/ted-davis-reading-the-book-of-nature/darwin-evolution-and-god

I can’t claim to speak for everyone at BL on this, but my own attitude should be clear enough. I don’t think Darwin killed natural theology (nor do some other historians of science and religion), but I do think he made the old-style natural theology of Boyle and Paley largely without a solid foundation. Arguments from biological “contrivances” or “gaps” in the fossil record are mostly outmoded, I would say. Instead, one needs newer arguments, based on the physical conditions that make all biological contrivances and evolution itself possible in the first place. That’s what Polkinghorne calls “new style” natural theology.

Most ID proponents think that the new style NT is just not enough. Casey Luskin (e.g.), the chief spokesperson for Discovery for several years, strongly criticized BL for "promot[ing] viewpoints that are scientifically flawed, theologically hostile, and apologetically weak,” in a lengthy diatribe against us here: http://www.equip.org/article/new-theistic-evolutionists-biologos-rush-embrace-consensus/

I’m not sure exactly what Luskin finds “apologetically weak” about a view such as Polkinghorne’s, to which we gave prominent exposure at least a year before his article was published. I see nothing weak there, or it wouldn’t have interested me enough to edit it for our readers. Perhaps it’s Polkinghorne’s early statement, “The world is not full of items stamped “made by God”—the Creator is more subtle than that—but there are two locations where general hints of the divine presence might be expected to be seen most clearly.” Perhaps “general hints of the divine presence” aren’t enough for Luskin, who seems to want slam-dunk answers to jump-shot questions (to borrow my own language from a lecture I’ve been doing around the country for a few years). I don’t think that sin is the only barrier to seeing God with absolute clarity in nature, any more than answers to prayer are obvious to all rational, objective people. We see, as Paul said, through a glass darkly. There are many mysteries we aren’t yet allowed to peer into.

Or, perhaps, Luskin’s biggest problem with new style natural theology is that it “offers no scientific reasons” for believing in God. I agree with the way he put this, incidentally, but I don’t think Luskin fully grasped how precisely he had stated the truth. The kinds of natural theological inferences offered by Polkinghorne aren’t actually scientific, in P’s view–or in mine. Although they are based on science, insofar as they use scientific information, the conclusions about God’s existence and the ultimate nature of reality go well beyond science. Luskin and most other ID proponents think that one must be able to make scientific arguments for God. Here, they seem to agree with Richard Dawkins, who holds that the existence of God is a scientific question. Perhaps that is why Luskin finds new style natural theology inadequate; perhaps he just doesn’t agree with me (or Polkinghorne) that inferences to God’s existence or non-existence are metaphysical rather than scientific. If so, I’m fine having this difference of opinion with Luskin, Steven Meyer, Bill Dembski, or any other ID proponent.

As for Eddie’s objections to my interpretation of Romans One and what I suggested might be a distinctly Lutheran approach to origins, I repeat what I said about my conversations at Concordia–a very conservative, and very strongly Lutheran, seminary. I deliberately asked several scholars there (at dinner one evening, so there were indeed several scholars present and they were all part of the same conversation) whether I was out to lunch. No one spoke against my interpretation, and more than one or two affirmed my approach to that passage, while one of them specifically connected it with the theology of the cross, not the theology of glory (using that language).

If anyone still doubts what I’ve said about this (theology of the cross, Luther, and natural theology), they are invited to read the opening essay in this very recent issue of a Lutheran journal: Concordia Journal | Summer 2017 by Concordia Seminary - Issuu
“The Scientist as a Theologian of the Cross” was written by Chuck Arand, a leading Missouri-Synod theologian: Arand, Charles - Concordia Seminary
Note how he quotes George Murphy with much approval. Also: the seminary invited Murphy to speak as part of a series of talks on science and theology.

So, to sum up: critics of BL who say that BL is tone deaf to traditional Christian theology need to get hearing aids themselves. Some of the most conservative Lutheran scholars on the planet agree with the interpretation I offered of Romans One, based on what I had learned from George Murphy but also on my own knowledge of Greco-Roman thought. And, those who say that BL is “weak” b/c we don’t provide scientific reasons to believe in God, need to think more carefully: we can and do offer cogent arguments for the existence of God, and some of them are based on scientific information. We just don’t think those arguments themselves are scientific. We think they go well beyond science, just as so many aspects of our being also go beyond science. Truth is too small to fit only in a scientific box.

3 Likes

I was glad to read @Eddie’s positive remarks about my work, while of course noting our quite different views on natural theology. It may be helpful for him & others if I say a bit more about my own thoughts on that.

I’ve bottomed out from the position I used to have back when I sometimes used theologia naturala delenda est as a signature line. But even then I never denied that experience of the natural world and human reason could conclude that there is a God. (& I don’t think that Barth ever explicitly did either. Luther affirmed it.) But that is not a theology - certainly not a Christian theology. And in Romans, Paul doesn’t use his statement to that effect in 1:19-20 to start developing such a theology but to say, “So they are without excuse.”

I have found a fourfold typology of views about natural theologies to be helpful.

  1. The Classic view: Natural theology can be the “forecourt of the temple” of Christianity. It’s legitimate, but can only take us so far and then must be supplemented by special revelation.

  2. The Enlightenment view: Natural theology is all we really need. A significant example is Lessing’s The Education of the Human Race. Humanity needed revelation in its immature state, but when it comes to maturity that’s no longer needed.

  3. The Barthian view: “Nein” to natural theology.

  4. Torrance’s corollary to Barth’s view: A natural theology independent of distinctively Christian theology is inadequate, but a legitimate natural theology can be developed within the context of distinctively Christian thought.

I think Torrance’s view is very important and certainly the best of these four. The particular Christian theology that should contextualize the knowledge about the world that we get from science will, of course, make a difference. As I’ve said, I have used a theology of the cross, which is why one of my books is titled The Cosmos in the Light of the Cross.

I do not say that the Classic view is in itself heretical, or that a legitimate Christian theology can’t be developed from it. That would be foolish. But I do say that this view is dangerous because it’s all too easy for people to remain in the forecourt and never get into the sanctuary, or to develop doctrines or practices that clash with Christianity from their natural theology. Barth’s concern about the way natural theology helped some Christians into bed with Hitler is an example of the latter concern.

An example of the former problem is pointed out by Richard Westfall in Science and Religion in Seventeenth-Century England (U. of Michigan, 1973). Some of the scientists placed great emphasis on “natural religion” to combat the threat of atheism. The result wasn’t what they expected. “Although the absorption in natural religion and the external manifestations of divine power did not did not dispute or deny any specific Christian doctrine, it did more to undermine Christianity than any conclusion of natural science”. (pp.106-107)

4 Likes

@George

What a striking sentiment !: “Natural Theology Must be Destroyed” !
You, sir, could find the lyric deep within a charcoal briquette !!!

But I’m glad you have stepped back from such adamant positions.

I would like to add to the context of your very first sentence. He and I were once devoted correspondents… he would insist that I devote all my thinking to what he wrote, and I was devoted to showing him that too many sentences spoiled the Metaphysics. Within days of our first encounter he devoted a lengthy discourse on why the encyclopedia reference I used to introduce my topic was a vain exercise because he had already established that the editors of that particular encyclopedia didn’t actually know anything. It was then, in that very moment, that I knew there was no real concern about taking him seriously on most any topic.

In contrast, I am thoroughly enjoying your postings. They are always thought provoking, and they usually create a moment where I am compelled to pause and consider the implications of your position. :smiley:

Wiki Quote of the Day
"Natural theology, once also termed physico-theology, is a type of theology that provides arguments for the existence of God -
[1] based on reason and ordinary experience of nature.

This distinguishes it from Revealed Theology, which is
[2] based on scripture and/or religious experiences,

and also from Transcendental Theology, which is
[3] based on a priori reasoning.

.
.

As you say, Lutherans have largely been silent in these debates. As a Lutheran pastor and graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, it seems to be that it is time to take a closer look at this topic.

3 Likes

As you know, the Lutheran-Missouri Synod is a Young Earth Creationism institution. This branch of the Lutheran Church does not stop and think that YEC does not bring salvation; on the contrary, it is the Son of Man and God Jesus the Christ. The length of time since the creation has nothing to do with it. Right now, I am a Southern Baptist that is attending an Independent Baptist Church. They are YEC; however, what would they do if they found out that I am either EC or PC. Progressive Creationism can come with common descent or without common descent. I suppose Nancy and I would be stoned like Stephan in Acts 7:58-60. By the way, Is PC with common descent and PC without common descent like having a hamburger with or without French Fries? :grinning: Oh, Rev Sahlstrom, please understand that I am not insulting the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. There are fine people in that church.

@TedDavis, @Jon_Garvey

Several of whom [fine people] I met during my two visits to Concordia Seminary. What you say about the L-MS being committed to YEC views is largely true at the grass roots, and also among their pastors. This doesn’t mean, however, that Concordia has no interest in engaging certain issues raised by modern science; nor does it mean that Concordia scholars lack the tools to engage those issues. I am impressed with the excellent work done by several faculty there.

I should add that a couple of prominent MS Lutherans in the last century were outspoken proponents of geocentricity, namely, Franz Pieper (onetime president of Concordia) and Walter Lang. I hasten to add that no one at Concordia today doubts that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Incidentally, the well known Christian author Nancy Pearcey worked for Lang’s Bible Science Association many years ago, though I have no reason to believe she agreed with him on geocentrism.

2 Likes

I hope that I have not offended anyone in anyway. That was not my intent. I hope that Dr. Davis was not thinking that ever. I once attended a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I just never discussed the creation issue because I did not want cause troubles in the church. I speak High German and the congregation wanted me to hold the Christmas Eve service with the Pastor.

The church I am attending now wants everyone to only use KJV Bibles and believe in YEC. I just keep my mouth closed on those issues. I hope you and Dr. Davis do not take me wrong from my last message.
@TedDavis