Creationism and Queenslanders
Simone asks who else would be happy to agree with the Westminster Confession on creation? I would be. But it reminded me of something that came up in class the other day. Our lecturer was talking about how we should be reading Genesis 1-3. Like all good lecturers, he didn't tell us how we should think, but the considerations we needed to keep in mind as we read. His conclusion was;
These are the broad considerations to keep in mind when reading the creation account in Genesis. And I'd be safe saying that in pretty much all of Australia. Except maybe Queensland.
This brought forth laughter from the students as we thought it was a bit harsh. But the lecturer protested;
It's a hot issue up there. I could be wrong, but I thought it was well known that most of the 6 literal 24 hour-day creation movement comes from Queensland. Is anyone from Queensland? There's one of you. Isn't it a hotter issue up there?
Brief silence from the student. Then...
Everything's hotter in Queensland.
Call of the week.
This is an issue in Queensland? Really? I hadn't noticed, all I know is that the Bible says six days.
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly what our lecturer said too.
ReplyDeleteThough when you start discussing what is meant by day-and this is what he did and was referring to-is when trouble seems to arise.
In terms of the Australian Christian scene and this being a particularly Queensland issue, I am unable to offer any knowledgeable comment.
I don't think it's uniquely a Queensland thing, but it's in Queensland Presbyterian circles where it's a gospel issue that'll cost you a job... and in the states.
ReplyDelete"Everything's hotter in Queensland."
ReplyDeleteThat's about the funniest thing I've read today.
(Apart from Carl Trueman's throwaway line about Sarah Palin's speeches.)
For what it's worth, my experience (in Australian reformed theology - admittedly not a huge movement) is that Sydney evangelicalism, courtesy of Moore College, has a predominantly non-24 hour understanding while outside of Sydney 24 hours is more prevalent, though not predominant.
If someone is reformed and non-24 hour there's likely to be some Moore influence in their education. (They studied there or under someone who studied there.) This is not attributing everyone's position to the place they studied, people who already have a postition on this will usually study under those with whom they agree.
Sometimes folks in Sydney don't always take into account that situations may be different in the whole rest of the nation.
Please don't read value judgements into the above comments, they're just how I've observed things in Australian reformed/evangelical circles.
Thanks for the perspectives, guys.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record there's a whole bunch of conclusions drawn amongst first year and no 'party line' from college faculty.
Though perhaps different is I think generally there is an agreement from all sides that the method of arriving at your conclusion, is achieved with a high view of Scripture, even if we arrive at different places. That is, I've heard people argue vociferously but not to the point where they'd refuse to work with someone based on that issue.
Yeah there's a whole interesting thing about the effect of geography and context on this kind of thing. It cuts both ways of course - and just because someone is a QLder and holds to six day creation of the young earth kind doesn't make it wrong. (Other things make it wrong! :-) )
ReplyDeleteAs far as Sydney goes, I think being Anglican has had a bit to do with it, actually. That is, Anglicans are less influenced by American evangelicalism and more by British evangelicalism - where this just isn't the issue that it is in the states. Broughton Knox I understand did hold to a young earth view, interestingly. But on the whole Sydney/Moore hasn't followed him.
Michael's point is a good one that I overlooked.
ReplyDeleteAustralian Presbyterianism has really related to the US expression of reformed theology rather than the Scottish or continental one for some time now, particularly since the division of 1977.
I don't know if I should be enjoying this discussion as much as I am. Sure, the creation discussion is valuable, but particularly fascinating is the way history shapes personal perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI have pretty much no idea of history; world or church. I can't even remember studying history at High School. I know more about Jewish history (through studying the Bible) than Australian history.
...looking forward to Church History 1 in second semester.
Yes. Queensland is a world leader in such stuff. You southerners have no idea. Come up and learn...
ReplyDelete