Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 05:3 (Fall 1964)
Article: Hermeneutical Principles and Creation Theories
Author: Gary G. Cohen

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GJ 5:3 (Fall 64) p. 17

Hermeneutical Principles and Creation Theories

Gary G. Cohen

Introduction

Since Charles Darwin had his Origin of the Species published in 1859, following by a century Astruc’s 1753 book on the sources of Genesis, the two forces of evolution and higher criticism have placed the Genesis creation account under great scrutiny and attack. During this attack it has been alarming to see the principles of interpretation used by liberals and some so-called conservatives in an attempt to arrive at interpretations which are compatible to the views of skeptics. At the same time, there have been so many schemes of understanding the structure of the Genesis 1:1–2:3 portion, that all true lovers of God’s Word may well give pause to consider the hermeneutical principles governing all Scripture and particularly this section of it.

In order to facilitate this consideration, this paper offers: (1) a set of rules for properly interpreting the creation narrative, and (2) summaries of the leading theories on the creation of Genesis 1:1–2:3 .

This is written with belief that the Psalmist was correct when he declared, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps 119:89); that Christ was right in saying, “…the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35); and that Paul spoke the truth to Timothy as he penned, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim 3:16). Some day when our goal of glory is reached, when we no longer “see through a glass darkly” (1 Cor 13:12), and when the true scientific facts of cosmology will be known and unhampered by false opinions of unbelievers (1 Tim 6:20–21), then all shall see that the Mosaic creation narrative is indeed inspired of God and entirely accurate! Until that great day, let us pray that God’s truth might be better apprehended by all who love His word.

Section I
Hermeneutical Principles and the Creation Account

The following thirteen principles combine those which have become the heritage of true Protestantism through Augustine and the Reformers together with some original and newly worded ones. The originality, however, is severely limited as even the so-called newer

GJ 5:3 (Fall 64) p. 18

principles are built squarely upon the thoughts of others. If all interpreters would uniformly adopt these suggestions there still would not be perfect agreement in Christendom, but a ...

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