tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172417803867627775.post4901665239691799031..comments2023-05-18T03:50:23.681-07:00Comments on The Center for Theological Studies: "Creatio Ex Nihilo" or "Creatio Ex Materia"? Rob Bell, the Creation of the Universe, and the Orthodox LabelByronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11537490279115937176noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172417803867627775.post-33879577843817578222011-06-05T07:44:38.508-07:002011-06-05T07:44:38.508-07:00I think that anything could be possible. It's ...I think that anything could be possible. It's true that none of us were there in the beginning when God formed the earth and put everything in it in its place; at the same time, however, I think that Rob Bell should have voiced the clear reading of Scripture without assuming his belief to be true. He does the same thing in regards to many other topics. One has to ask himself or herself, "Why does Rob Bell make these assumptions?" <br /><br /> What I think he misses in his assessment of many topics in "Love Wins" is that there are many out there who are not familiar with many basic Christian doctrines; and I think that when he discusses positions on any topic, he often passes by them quickly without detailed discussion. It's almost as if he's saying "Here's what I think is right," without saying, "Let's think through all the positions on this topic" and elaborating for his readers. <br /><br /> There are lots and lots of possibilities; and even in seminary, I deal with professors who often get caught up in the possibilities. But I don't think it's wise to create doctrines (such as "Creation Ex Materia") out of claims that are completely speculative. By saying this, I am not saying that there are not doctrines out there that are inferences from claims we see in Scripture. I am simply saying that nowhere in Scripture are we given an inference to suggest that God created pre-existent material and then decided to create the earth at a later time. Rob Bell doesn't seem to believe in "Creatio Ex Nihilo"; if he did, he would've at least entertained the discussion in his book. <br /><br /> While, as you say, one could "in speculation" hold to both, Rob Bell clearly doesn't. And I think his discussion of "Creatio ex Materia" indicates that he is a theistic evolutionist. I think it would be much easier to just come out and say that instead of attempting to "disguise" and hide that from his readers.Deidre Richardson, B.A., M.Div.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04415891901162852180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172417803867627775.post-70220185335008847482011-06-05T02:04:59.139-07:002011-06-05T02:04:59.139-07:00It's possible that God created matter at one p...It's possible that God created matter at one point in time, and created the earth at a later point time. That seems likely in fact, and would allow one to affirm creation ex nihlio and also to affirm that the earth was created out of pre-existing matter. <br /><br />It's also possible that there was an organised world that existed before Adam, which was destroyed, perhaps in the battle with Satan. It's speculative, but not inconsistent with scripture.Kevin Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13472900037134045450noreply@blogger.com