Teaching of Origin of the Universe, Life, and Man

DIVISION A DOCUMENTS

Section 4 Position Statements

4.5 Teaching of Origin: Universe, Life, and Man


TEACHING OF THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE, LIFE, AND MAN

STATEMENT

God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing (ex nihilo) by His Word, and constantly sustains and governs them by His providential power, according to His eternal purpose and for His glory.[1]
God created plant and animal life so that each kind would reproduce after its own kind.[2]
God created Adam and Eve, our first parents, in His own image. He breathed the breath of life into Adam and through him gave all mankind a fully developed human spirit and intellect, making them living, responsible beings.[3]

IMPLEMENTATION

Instruction in current theories regarding the origin of the universe, life, and man should be given in classes, where appropriate. This instruction should call attention to theories in conflict with the above statement on origin. The truth of this statement is to be upheld over conflicting theories.[4]
Scripture should be interpreted by historical-grammatical principles and scripture-with-scripture comparison. Within the above parameters, where there is a difference in interpretation of scripture among respected evangelical scholars, no one theory may be taught as exclusive truth, although a teacher is free to state his/her personal views when appropriate.
All CAJ teachers, administrators, and board members are to be in agreement with the above. (SY 08-09:63)


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FOOTNOTES

  1. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 11:3
  2. Genesis 1:20-25; 2:4-6, 8, 9, and 19
  3. Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7, 15-24; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Zechariah 12:1
  4. Isaiah 8:20; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19, Matthew 11:25


Adopted: 4/15/86; renumbered: SY 06-07:72; renumbered SY 09-10:79; renumbered SY 13-14:20




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