Justice for Genesis #2

[Gregory Matthews]

Throughout the history of Adventism, Earth Origins, Creationism and the teachings of the early chapters of Genesis have been considered important, worthy of discussion and challenging in their thought.

Early Adventists who were involved in this issue included George McCready Price who lacked scientific expertise and promoted a creationism that is largely dismissed today. Herald Clark and Frank L. Marsh were the first SDA scientists to take up this issue. Their views have been eclipsed by more developed science and the racial views of one would not be tolerated today.

SDAs may like to think that they stand alone in believing in a creation by God. This is in error. The history of Creationism is replete with clergy, scientists and others who believed in a creation by God. Carol Hill is an author who believes in a creation by God and in the Biblical Record. The American Scientific Affiliation is composed of scientists who accept the Bible as authoritative. Their beliefs may not agree with aspects of SDA beliefs. But, they believe in a creator God and the authority of the Bible. See: https://network.asa3.org/page/ASAbeliefs

I think that we do ourselves a disservice when we dismiss such people due to the fact that we may not agree with every aspect of their understanding of the Biblical record.

Adventism has its own members who have authored books that present Creation in terms of a God who creates, but may differ is some aspects of general Adventist belief. Such books have often included Brian Bull and Fritz Guy as authors. Avondale Press and Oak and Acorn are official SDA institutions that publish cutting edge material that is probably unknown to the majority of SDA members. In short, Adventist material is available that explores issues of science and creation in terms of today.

In more recent times, I have seen SDA scientists moving toward a positron of Intelligent Design (ID), for the creation of Earth. As I understand ID, it simply posits a creator God. Just about everything else about creation, is up for discussion. As I understand ID, there is no requirement as to what one should believe as to God’s creation and Biblical teachings. I would prefer to see ID in Adventism with some boundaries on beliefs in respect to the Biblical record.

Justice for Genesis is a 301-page book authored by the Adventist scientist J. C. Walton, and published by Andrews University Press. It may be purchased from Amazon. In my opinion, it is outstanding in that it is unlike anything ever published before by the Adventist press.

As I understand the author, in 62 pages he argues for Intelligent Design. However, as is clarified in other sections, he is clearly proposing a Genesis that is authoritative. He spends another some 100 pages on this aspect of his understanding of the place the Bible has on this issue.

In the two final sections the author discusses archaeology and God as Creator. I have not yet read those sections. I will likely post more after I have read them.  

For now, I will simply say that this book is an excellent book that is valuable in understanding creation, God and the Genesis record.