Where are the theology threads?

[ebia]

This forum is called "Origins Theology", but is completely devoid of any threads focused on the theology of the creation accounts.

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

This forum is called "Origins Theology", but is completely devoid of any threads focused on the theology of the creation accounts.

I feel a bit silly asking this, but what do you mean? I thought the theology was about interpreting Genesis - whether it was literal of figurative.

 

[ebia]

I feel a bit silly asking this, but what do you mean? I thought the theology was about interpreting Genesis - whether it was literal of figurative.

No, they are about trying to answer the question "how old is the earth" and like questions. That's not theology.

There doesn't seem to be a single thread looking at the questions Genesis is interested in.

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

There doesn't seem to be a single thread looking at the questions Genesis is interested in.

I always thought Genesis was written as a historical document rather than a philosophical one (unlike, say, the book of Ecclesiates). What questions are there?

 

[ebia]

I always thought Genesis was written as a historical document rather than a philosophical one (unlike, say, the book of Ecclesiates).

there-in lies the massive problem reflected in this forum. In an effort to prove science wrong the messages of Genesis have completely been lost.

What questions are there?

Questions like
Who is God
What is he like
What is creation's relationship to him
What is our place in that

 

[Notedstrangeperson]

there-in lies the massive problem reflected in this forum. In an effort to prove science wrong the messages of Genesis have completely been lost.

Questions like
Who is God
What is he like
What is creation's relationship to him
What is our place in that

I think many of the answers to these questions are based on whether we support with creationism or evolution.

... That said, since we're in the Christian-only section, many of our basic beliefs aren't that different. Creationists and evolutionists both believe man was God's special creation and that we were separated by the Fall, for example.

As you say, it's the science we argue about.

 

[ebia]

I think many of the answers to these questions are based on whether we support with creationism or evolution.

no they are not.

God is the sole creator
He creates by bringing order from chaos
Creation is good
Sun, moon, sea monsters are created things not gods
Humanity is the pinnacle of creation, made to reflect Gods glory into creation and bring creations praise back to God
Humanity is not meant for servitude.
Work and rest both have a place in creation
...

These things and things like them are the messages of the creation accounts we ought to be talking about.

 

[shernren]

Having said that, there is a healthy amount of discussion here about the theology of science.

You are also looking at the product of an evangelical/fundamentalist sub-culture in which too much theology is considered to be a dangerous thing. The very idea of reading a text at its simplest betrays this kind of thinking.

 

[juvenissun]

no they are not.

God is the sole creator
He creates by bringing order from chaos
Creation is good
Sun, moon, sea monsters are created things not gods
Humanity is the pinnacle of creation, made to reflect Gods glory into creation and bring creations praise back to God
Humanity is not meant for servitude.
Work and rest both have a place in creation
...

These things and things like them are the messages of the creation accounts we ought to be talking about.

Somehow I feel that the only thing you do not want to talk about in the origin theology is science. Is that right? Is science part of theology?

So we could argue that God may not be the sole creator. Is that the type of discussion you like to see?

 

[ebia]

I've got nothing against science. John Polkinghorne is one of the most interesting thelogians out there.

But when every thread is creationism verses evolution...

 

[Kirkwhisper]

there-in lies the massive problem reflected in this forum. In an effort to prove science wrong the messages of Genesis have completely been lost.




Questions like
Who is God
What is he like
What is creation's relationship to him
What is our place in that

God is an eternal Being by whom all existence is defined. He has always existed and always will. He is a triune Being with three distinct personalities and yet He is but one God. There is only One God in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

He is the epitome of kindness, goodness, love, and grace. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. There is nothing He cannot do except violate His own essence and He is just in all His dealings, even if man cannot grasp nor understand His judgment. He always tells the truth.

He is the Creator of the World who always does exactly what He says He has done (Genesis) accomplished, (the redemption of man), and will do (Revelation).

Our place as created beings is to know God and love Him supremely...and to serve Him with all our hearts. To do this we must believe what He tells us and accept the substitutionary death of His only Son, Jesus, who died upon the cross for all we have done wrong. If we do, we receive His grace and salvation for eternal life in heaven forever more with the same Lord who created us.

Everything I just said is found in scripture. Do you require the verses?

 

[ebia]

God is an eternal Being by whom all existence is defined. He has always existed and always will. He is a triune Being with three distinct personalities and yet He is but one God. There is only One God in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

He is the epitome of kindness, goodness, love, and grace. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. There is nothing He cannot do except violate His own essence and He is just in all His dealings, even if man cannot grasp nor understand His judgment. He always tells the truth.

He is the Creator of the World who always does exactly what He says He has done (Genesis) accomplished, (the redemption of man), and will do (Revelation).

Our place as created beings is to know God and love Him supremely...and to serve Him with all our hearts. To do this we must believe what He tells us and accept the substitutionary death of His only Son, Jesus, who died upon the cross for all we have done wrong. If we do, we receive His grace and salvation for eternal life in heaven forever more with the same Lord who created us.

Everything I just said is found in scripture. Do you require the verses?

You didn't get all that out of the creation accounts. What's it got to do with the thread?

 

[juvenissun]

I've got nothing against science. John Polkinghorne is one of the most interesting thelogians out there.

But when every thread is creationism verses evolution...

A suggestion:

You initiate a thread of theology and let discussion happen. When the thread started to become E/C debate or something you don't like to see, then you call stop and see what was going wrong.

May be you can find out why has this forum become what it is.

 

[mark kennedy]

This forum is called "Origins Theology", but is completely devoid of any threads focused on the theology of the creation accounts.

That's because the people who post the majority of the submissions in here don't have the slightest interest in theology. The creation accounts are theology, they are foundational, transcendent and Inextricably linked to the resurrection and the new birth. There is no theistic evolution theology, the theology of young earth creationism is justification by faith. I learned that early and seen it continually in these rambling, circular debates.

 

[Kirkwhisper]

You didn't get all that out of the creation accounts. What's it got to do with the thread?

You asked. I answered.

You don't seem to understand that Genesis is just the beginning of God's written Word. It all goes together.

Maybe you didn't want answers after all?

 

[ebia]

You asked. I answered.

You don't seem to understand that Genesis is just the beginning of God's written Word. It all goes together.

Maybe you didn't want answers after all?

The question was a bit more specific than "summarize your entire systematic theology"

 

[Kirkwhisper]

The question was a bit more specific than "summarize your entire systematic theology"

I didn't give you MY entire systematic theology. I told you what the Bible says about the Creator. Now what more do you want?

 

[ebia]

I didn't give you MY entire systematic theology. I told you what the Bible says about the Creator. Now what more do you want?

I don't you're very interested, are you?

Back to your normal viewing.

 

[Kirkwhisper]

I don't you're very interested, are you?

Back to your normal viewing.

You asked in the OP: "This forum is called "Origins Theology", but is completely devoid of any threads focused on the theology of the creation accounts."

The creation accounts are not just in Genesis but spread throughout the scriptures. The New Testament mentions creation numerous times directly and many times indirectly.

I answered your question but you are being difficult.

So let others answer it but I don't think you really want an answer.

 

[ebia]

There are indeed several creation accounts, but what you gave wasn't focused on one or many of those nor on creation. What it comes across as is a dismissive - "here's your answer".

The OP question is not "what's your theology" but "why is there so little discussion of creation theology here"?