Posted on 04/13/2018 9:11:43 AM PDT by Salvation
As most of you know, I write a “question and answer” type column for Our Sunday Visitor. (For those interested, back issues of my column are available here: Msgr. Pope at Our Sunday Visitor.)
I recently received these two questions on creation:
Q: I wonder if God has not finished creating the world, that we are still in the sixth day of creation. Then God will rest.
Perhaps we can begin by distinguishing macroevolution from microevolution and Natural Law from natural variations within that law. Microevolution refers to developmental changes within a species or small category of organisms that occur over a relatively short period of time. For example, humans can live more or fewer years, be taller or shorter. Macroevolution refers to major changes that occur over very long periods of time. For instance, the introduction of entirely new species, genera, families, or orders that are entirely independent of what currently exists. In our times we have not seen this. According to fossil records, certain species have come and gone rather suddenly (by geological standards). Even in those cases, though, one could argue that none of the new species introduced anything that violated the norms of Natural Law; rather, they were built upon it.
Within the species homo sapiens there is observable variety: tall, short, slender, plump, dark-complexioned, light-complexioned, straight-haired, wavy-haired. These are naturally occurring variations within the species. Similarly, the earth goes through cycles of warmth and cold, stormy and calm, quaking and serene. These are also natural variations, not the creation of something new, not the creation of something out of nothing.
Scripture says, Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done (Genesis 2:1-2).
Thus, although your comment is understandable it is theologically questionable. God is finished; whatever evolves does so in relationship to what already is. Scientists may disagree about certain details but would for the most part agree that creation (understood as the sum of what is, obeying certain norms of Natural Law) is stable and completed.
To extend the argument even further (using New Testament language), we are not on the sixth day of creation or even the seventh. We are on the eighth day of creation, during which God renews and promises perfection to all He has made. This perfection will be complete at the great Second Coming of Our Lord.
Q: I’ve heard that with the sin of the first parents, sickness and death entered the world and that nature was in perfect harmony prior to that. But scientific findings indicate that whole species came and went prior to mankind. Comments?
In paradise, Adam and Eve possessed preternatural gifts such as immortality and freedom from suffering. It does not follow, however, that all creation possessed these gifts. For example, Adam and Eve were given to eat of all the fruits of all the trees except one. Thus, even in Eden, some living things “died” so as to sustain others. Further, the Garden of Eden seems to have been a certain location on the earth, not necessarily its entirety.
So, the cycle of living and dying is not excluded by the biblical narrative. From this perspective, paradise can be viewed as a kind of “place apart” from the rest of creation (in which the cycle of life and death is part of the Natural Law God established). Creation did receive additional curses due to the sin of Adam (see Gen 3:17), but these curses likely refer more to the hostility of the climate and the difficulty of man’s relationship to it than to the cycle of death and life.
Creation, though cursed now, will receive greater blessings than first received when Christ comes again (see Romans 8:19ff).
Monsignor Pope Ping!
‘In paradise, Adam and Eve possessed preternatural gifts’
Adam and Eve...yeah, ok...
bookmark
1st question.....God COMPLETED creation on the 6th day. He rested on the 7th day. There is no more creation! Only a rearrangement of what was already created. We don’t create and Satan cannot create, only God crates.
2nd question.....Everything was perfect pre sin. Sin cursed the people and the creation. The creation groans waiting for the removal of the curse. Eating a piece of fruit DOES NOT KILL THE TREE! I couldn’t believe what I was reading. There was no death in the Garden. They were vegetarians until after the Flood.( Genesis 9:3) When Adam sinned, God killed the first animal to “cover” the sins of Adam and Eve. Cain and Able also sacrificed to cover their sins. The whole Bible is based on Jesus coming to shed His blood to TAKE AWAY sins forever. Animal blood was to “cover sins”.
Is this the same guy who says there are church services in Heaven? Complete with standing, kneeling, sitting, etc?
If so, the guy is delusional. Kook city.
OK, you tell us then, what is there in Heaven? Whats Heaven rally like?
Because "rednecks" are such "despicable" creatures that we don't want to be associated with them in any way.
I don’t know. Nobody does, including you, me, and the good monseignor. However, unlike lots of folks, I freely admit it is a mystery solved only by croaking.
If someone says, “I don’t know, but it’s no doubt pretty good,” I’ll probably listen. Perhaps learn.
But if someone says there will be actual church services, with all that entails, well, that is double facepalm laughworthy, and all credibility is shot. Did he actually say that? I want to make sure I’m not laughing at the wrong guy.
If that is heaven, I don’t want to go. Had enough of that torture growing up lol.
Peace.
The need for church services will be over in Heaven. No preaching, although lots of singing and praise to God. Very few Churches understood what is was supposed to be anyway!
Smile, it will all be good! God knows!
Where are you getting that from?
‘In paradise, Adam and Eve possessed preternatural gifts’
Adam and Eve...yeah, ok...
Don't worry. In Catholicism "Adam" and "Eve" were born to monkey parents.
Nah. He's just an evolutionist, but I think evolution is Catholic dogma anyway. Isn't it mentioned in the Nicene Creed?
Vlad....where you been ol’boy?
Busy, man. Busy.
There’s hasn’t been much in the Religion Forum that I have found all that interesting in the last few months.
I hope all is well with you and yours.
Hope you are well also.
I don’t recall those references.
?? I don’t believe your statement is valid.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.