3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (ESV)

In 1999, the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia issued a statement regarding the days of creation.1 Citing theologians from throughout Church history, they argued that the details of the exegesis of Genesis 1, and one’s decision regarding whether or not creation took a literal six days, should not be viewed as a test of theological orthodoxy; it should not be something over which evangelicals divide.

In seeking to call the Corinthian church back to belief in the future resurrection of believers, Paul began by reminding them of the central truths of the gospel, things “of first importance” (v. 3). In response to the Corinthians’ disregard of the seriousness of sin (e.g. vv. 5:1-6:20), and skepticism concerning the resurrection of believers (chap. 15), he proclaimed Christ’s death as a sacrifice for sin, His burial, and His bodily resurrection (vv. 3-4). These truths were not simply things that were important to Paul; they were the key tenets that he himself had received (v. 3) from the risen Christ Himself (cf. Gal. 1:11-12). Thus, they had binding authority.

Clearly Paul’s list here of primary truths is not exhaustive. 1 John 4:2 adds an orthodox view of the incarnation to the list, and judging by Paul’s evangelistic preaching2 the fact that God created the world is also of central significance. Nevertheless, in describing some things as “of first importance,” Paul implied that there were other things which were “of secondary importance.” Whilst they were true, these secondary issues were things about which Christians could differ without suffering utter loss of fellowship.

Following the apostolic example, the Church has consistently held that some matters are more important than others, and that Christians should keep “secondary” issues in their place. This applies to the debate over evolution. Much as some have insisted on the unique validity of the King James Bible, some have argued that the truth of a literal six-day creation is a non-negotiable for Bible-believing Christians. Certainly, the fact that God created all things by His mighty Word is central to Christian orthodoxy. But the precise manner in which He did this, and the details of interpretation of particular texts, should not be used as standards to judge the fidelity of other believers.

With this understanding, believers in an inerrant Bible should be free to search both the Scriptures and Nature for light on God’s great acts of creation. This study should be infused with concern for the peace of the Church and marked by intellectual modesty. Thus, anyone who presumes to dismiss a brother on grounds that he either affirms or denies a literal six-day Creation has lost track of New Testament priorities.
Footnotes:
1

“Westminster Theological Seminary and the Days of Creation,” The Westminster Theological Seminary Website, March 1, 1999, http://www.wts.edu/news/creation.html (accessed June 1, 2005).
2

See Kairos Journal article, “Evangelism and the Doctrine of Creation.”

article adapted from Kairos Journal

First Baptist Church is located across from the Principio Health Center on Rt. 40 in Perryville.