Catholic view on creation?

Hoonbaba · Apr 30, 2002

Here's another quick question for you all:

Do Catholics believe in a literal 6 day creation?

God bless!

-Jason

fragmentsofdreams · Apr 30, 2002

Catholics do not believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis. John Paul II has written documents describing science and theology as two complementary sources of knowledge.

Fr. Rob · Apr 30, 2002

There is a wide variety of beliefs in this regard. However, the Primitive Episcopal Church (being rather Fundamental) requires an assent to a literal belief in a seven-day creation. There is a good deal of scientific research which suggests that Scientific Creationisim is not impossible, and is at least as probable as the old-earth, evolutionary theory. (In fact, our Priests in their ordination vows, must assent to a literal view of the Scriptures. . . and that includes creation. I just preached -- in part -- a Homily about it this last Sunday.)

Father Rob

jukesk9 · May 1, 2002

Scripture tells us that a day to the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years to the Lord is a day. If God said He made the earth in six days, then He made it in six days.

VOW · May 1, 2002

To jukes:

That reminds me of the joke:

A man is praying to God, and says, "Lord, is it true that time has no meaning for You? That a minute is like a day, a day like a thousand years?"

God says, "Yes, My son."

The man says, "Lord, is it true that money has no meaning to You?"

God says, "Yes, My son."

The man then says, "Lord, would you please give me a million dollars?"

God says, "In a minute."

Peace be with you,
~VOW

jukesk9 · May 1, 2002

I like that one VOW!

Hoonbaba · May 1, 2002

Originally posted by VOW
To jukes:

That reminds me of the joke:

A man is praying to God, and says, "Lord, is it true that time has no meaning for You? That a minute is like a day, a day like a thousand years?"

God says, "Yes, My son."

The man says, "Lord, is it true that money has no meaning to You?"

God says, "Yes, My son."

The man then says, "Lord, would you please give me a million dollars?"

God says, "In a minute."

Peace be with you,
~VOW

In a minute! LOL! =)

-Jason

Hoonbaba · May 1, 2002

Originally posted by jukesk9
Scripture tells us that a day to the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years to the Lord is a day. If God said He made the earth in six days, then He made it in six days.

Hi Jukesk9,

I just wanted to share something. It looks like you're quoting 2 Peter 3:8 which says:

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8, NIV)

And we know that St. Peter was quoting Psalm 90:4 which says:

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4)

But did you notice something? It says:

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4)

It's clear that the psalmist is comparing a thousand years to a day as a day is a thousand years to a watch in the night. So what's a watch in the night? About 6 hrs...maybe more or less?

Anyway I personally believe in a literal 6 day creation. Of course I could be 100% wrong but I personally don't see why one day would be more than a literal day.

God bless!

-Jason

VOW · May 1, 2002

To Jason:

If you are interested in studying any of the physical sciences, or if astronomy is a hobby, it's hard to buy the literal 6-day interpretation.

BUT...many scientists and other people of learning have found their studies in no way conflict with a belief in God. All of my studies have been at the undergraduate level, so I can't speak with authority, but science has always provided incredible proof to me that God MUST exist. There is too much order, too much symmetry, too much beauty on earth and in the heavens beyond to dismiss it as merely "random." I can even seen the hand of Glory in the periodic table of elements, because of its complexity and organization.

Gazing at a star-filled night sky reinforces just how small, how insignificant, how truly UNWORTHY we pitiful humans are. The very thought that God Himself humbled to human existence for our salvation is awe-inspiring indeed.

Peace be with you,
~VOW

Annabel Lee · May 1, 2002

Gazing at a star-filled night sky reinforces just how small, how insignificant, how truly UNWORTHY we pitiful humans are. The very thought that God Himself humbled to human existence for our salvation is awe-inspiring indeed.

Vow..you have such a wondeful way with words!
God Bless You :angel:

Hoonbaba · May 1, 2002

Originally posted by VOW
To Jason:

If you are interested in studying any of the physical sciences, or if astronomy is a hobby, it's hard to buy the literal 6-day interpretation.

BUT...many scientists and other people of learning have found their studies in no way conflict with a belief in God. All of my studies have been at the undergraduate level, so I can't speak with authority, but science has always provided incredible proof to me that God MUST exist. There is too much order, too much symmetry, too much beauty on earth and in the heavens beyond to dismiss it as merely "random." I can even seen the hand of Glory in the periodic table of elements, because of its complexity and organization.

Gazing at a star-filled night sky reinforces just how small, how insignificant, how truly UNWORTHY we pitiful humans are. The very thought that God Himself humbled to human existence for our salvation is awe-inspiring indeed.

Peace be with you,
~VOW

Hi Vow,

I'm not saying I don't believe in God.

I just believe that God can create the world in 6 days and that maybe he did. That's all.

It's just that if Genesis says 'days', to mean more than a day like perhaps a year, then he would've said year, or years, or millennium or something along those lines rather than using the word 'day'.

Exegetically speaking, I think believing in a non-literal six day creation would be inconsistent with scripture. Of course this is just my opinion

And if I'm 100% wrong, may God rebuke me and correct me =)

God bless!

-Jason

fragmentsofdreams · May 1, 2002

One does not need to interpret everything in the Bible literally. Parables can carry truths that are difficult to express from historical events. In the same way that we say that there is no actual prodigal son, vineyard, or rich man when discussing Jesus' parables, we can see truths in the Genesis creation stories without needing six literal days.

On a side note, how do you reconcile Gen 1 with Gen 2-3 when interpreting them literally? The order of creation is reversed in the second one.

Hoonbaba · May 1, 2002

Honestly I don't know LOL! (Actually I didn't read through it..heh sorry don't have time right now)

But I'm open to the idea that God can and may've created the world in 6 literal days. I don't see why not, since God is sovereign. Anyway, that's all I'm saying

I could be wrong =)

God bless!

-Jason

Fr. Rob · May 2, 2002

Originally posted by fragmentsofdreams
On a side note, how do you reconcile Gen 1 with Gen 2-3 when interpreting them literally? The order of creation is reversed in the second one.

Actually, while a popular argument against the authority of Genesis 1:1-2:2, I studied the following *possible* explanation:

Genesis 1:1-2:2 is God's Point of View.
Genesis 2:2-3:15 is Man's Point of View.

Hebrew literary style often uses this form when comparing and contrasting two points of view that in in conflict, usually in a judicial manner. The victor's point of view is recorded first, the looser's second.

God created all for glory and in perfect order. He created it in a set order that was logical and perfect.

Man, however, looking back, after the fall, felt themselves to be superior, and saw no reason for the punishment that was given. After all, God made man to be superior. . . God made man to subdue the earth. . . to rule the garden. . . to run the show. Man, in his vanity, tries to rationalise his fall from grace, and cannot. His "truth" does not reconcile with THE TRUTH, spoken by God.

I am not saying that this is the *only* explanation, I am simply saying that this is one Hebrew literary concept that was proposed as a possible answer.

All in all, I'll continue to believe in a literal six-day creation. . . and if I am a bit nieve, well. . . God can have a good laugh at my expense.

Blessings,
Fr. Rob -- reminding you that Evolution of the most basic amino acid in less time than the Earth has <i>supposedly</i> been here is mathematically impossible.

Fr. Rob · May 2, 2002

Just a quick note, an excellent resource if you want to see some of the arguments about the literal truth of Genesis from a scientific and biblical viewpoint is:

http://www.answersingenesis.org

This site is excellent. . . and has a very detailed series of articles in the Questions section regarding the Day-Age theory, the Gen 1/2 reconciliation, etc.

It's worth a look. . . that is, if you have an open mind!

Father Rob

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