It’s Gotten Worse

[Faith]

New Evidence Suggests the Universe Is Twice as Old as We Thought — Popular Mechanics

After all the posts about the LCMS teaching on a young universe, now astronomers are thinking the universe is twice as old as previously thought.
Are all the things you’ve told me about the age of the universe not being important for a member of the LCMS and that the important thing is Jesus, still true or does this new theory change things?

 

[Lees]

New Evidence Suggests the Universe Is Twice as Old as We Thought — Popular Mechanics

After all the posts about the LCMS teaching on a young universe, now astronomers are thinking the universe is twice as old as previously thought.
Are all the things you’ve told me about the age of the universe not being important for a member of the LCMS and that the important thing is Jesus, still true or does this new theory change things?

Why should the teaching of science affect what the Christian knows about Jesus Christ?

Lees

 

[Faith]

Why should the teaching of science affect what the Christian knows about Jesus Christ?

Lees

It doesn’t affect what I know about Christ; I’ve been concerned with the teachings of the LCMS vs science.

 

[Lees]

It doesn’t affect what I know about Christ; I’ve been concerned with the teachings of the LCMS vs science.

I suppose every denomination will have it's own particular view concerning science and Christianity. And evolution is usually at the core of the matter. Just as the age of the earth becomes evidence for science to further their view of evolution.

Myself, I try and remain only Biblical. I don't ignore science. But, science is always learning and changing it's mind. And it's methods of dating are not convincing to me.

As to the age of the earth, I don't believe it to be a 'young earth'. But just because the earth may be old doesn't mean evolution was involved in creation. Man may have been here only some 6,000 years. But I believe the earth to be much older.

The 'Gap Theory', though rejected by most today, I find to be very Biblical.

Lees

 

[Lamb]

New Evidence Suggests the Universe Is Twice as Old as We Thought — Popular Mechanics

After all the posts about the LCMS teaching on a young universe, now astronomers are thinking the universe is twice as old as previously thought.
Are all the things you’ve told me about the age of the universe not being important for a member of the LCMS and that the important thing is Jesus, still true or does this new theory change things?

So men changed their minds and now you think it's accurate?

 

[Albion]

New Evidence Suggests the Universe Is Twice as Old as We Thought — Popular Mechanics

After all the posts about the LCMS teaching on a young universe, now astronomers are thinking the universe is twice as old as previously thought.
Are all the things you’ve told me about the age of the universe not being important for a member of the LCMS and that the important thing is Jesus, still true or does this new theory change things?

Of course it's still true! And as for the LCMS stand on evolution, the official view is of a six day creation, but many members don't think that's what happened...and they are in good standing in their church.

The vote on this matter, when taken in the LCMS convention, saw the delegates divided on the issue. The majority voted to stay with the existing position of the church and voted for the literal translation of "days" as it appears in Scripture; however, a significant minority took the other stance, and they remain members in good standing in their church. But that doesn't mean these delegates believe in non-theistic evolution.

We have to keep in mind that even in the strictest of denominations, it's the essential doctrines that are critical. There are also non-essential doctrines all over the place!

 

[Josiah]

Are all the things you’ve told me about the age of the universe not being important for a member of the LCMS and that the important thing is Jesus

No one has remotely stated that the age of the universe is not important.

The issue is whether having a certain opinion about that is required for membership in an LCMS parish. It's not.

does this new theory change things?

I have a Ph.D. in physics. Friend, there are ZILLIONS Of theories. And most of them are in constant flux and have problems of one kind or another.

But I've found that not one of them - not ONE - in any way means that any doctrine in the Lutheran Confessions is therefore wrong.




.

 

[Faith]

So men changed their minds and now you think it's accurate?

They didn’t change their mind about it being a young earth,but much, much older. Though I did read another article that isn’t so sure they’re right.

 

[Faith]

No one has remotely stated that the age of the universe is not important.

The issue is whether having a certain opinion about that is required for membership in an LCMS parish. It's not.






I have a Ph.D. in physics. Friend, there are ZILLIONS Of theories. And most of them are in constant flux and have problems of one kind or another.

But I've found that not one of them - not ONE - in any way means that any doctrine in the Lutheran Confessions is therefore wrong.




.

So, IOW I still have nothing to worry about, right?

 

[Lamb]

So, IOW I still have nothing to worry about, right?

Does it change what you know about Jesus as Savior and forgiveness of sins for your salvation?

 

[Faith]

Does it change what you know about Jesus as Savior and forgiveness of sins for your salvation?

Nope. Does it now change what we need to believe about what the LCMS teaches?

 

[Faith]

I suppose every denomination will have it's own particular view concerning science and Christianity. And evolution is usually at the core of the matter. Just as the age of the earth becomes evidence for science to further their view of evolution.

Myself, I try and remain only Biblical. I don't ignore science. But, science is always learning and changing it's mind. And it's methods of dating are not convincing to me.

As to the age of the earth, I don't believe it to be a 'young earth'. But just because the earth may be old doesn't mean evolution was involved in creation. Man may have been here only some 6,000 years. But I believe the earth to be much older.

The 'Gap Theory', though rejected by most today, I find to be very Biblical.

Lees

Are you LCMS? Forgive me if you’ve already told me that.

 

[Lees]

Are you LCMS? Forgive me if you’ve already told me that.

No, I'm not.

Lees

 

[Josiah]

So, I still have nothing to worry about, right?

Well.... cancer, President Biden and Liberals, bad drivers, a gamma ray burst.... but not that you'll be excommunicated from an LCMS parish because some astrophysicists think the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago and some theorize earlier than that.

Read Luther's Small Catechism (Luther's words, not any "explanations"). Therein lies everything on which your Confirmation and Excommunication depend. But you said your parish doesn't Confirm anyone (regardless of their belief) and likely doesn't excommunicate anyone because of their beliefs so I'm at a loss to know why this is an issue for you. If you leave and go to a different LCMS church, what will matter is the Catechism. Not theories of physicists. But at your parish, even the Catechism seems moot.



.

 

[Faith]

Well.... cancer, President Biden and Liberals, bad drivers, a gamma ray burst.... but not that you'll be excommunicated from an LCMS parish because some astrophysicists think the Big Bang happened 13.8 billion years ago and some theorize earlier than that.

Read Luther's Small Catechism (Luther's words, not any "explanations"). Therein lies everything on which your Confirmation and Excommunication depend. But you said your parish doesn't Confirm anyone (regardless of their belief) and likely doesn't excommunicate anyone because of their beliefs so I'm at a loss to know why this is an issue for you. If you leave and go to a different LCMS church, what will matter is the Catechism. Not theories of physicists. But at your parish, even the Catechism seems moot.




this?

Luther's Small Catechism: Luther, Martin, Stump, Joseph: 9798672001630: Amazon.com: Books

Luther's Small Catechism [Luther, Martin, Stump, Joseph] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Luther's Small Catechism

www.amazon.com

 

[Josiah]

@Faith

Yet again, The Small Catechism

IF your parish confirmed folks (which you stated it does not), they would be asked if they agree with the above. In terms of beliefs and agreements, that's it. That's all. NOTHING about the election of 2020, nothing about electric cars, nothing about life on Mars, nothing about the KETO diet, nothing about the age of the universe, nothing about whether dogs or cats make better pets.


.

 

[Faith]

@Faith

Yet again, The Small Catechism

IF your parish confirmed folks (which you stated it does not), they would be asked if they agree with the above. In terms of beliefs and agreements, that's it. That's all. NOTHING about the election of 2020, nothing about electric cars, nothing about life on Mars, nothing about the KETO diet, nothing about the age of the universe, nothing about whether dogs or cats make better pets.


.

What’s the difference between The Small Catechism and Luther’s Small Catechism?

 

[Faith]

@Faith

Yet again, The Small Catechism

IF your parish confirmed folks (which you stated it does not), they would be asked if they agree with the above. In terms of beliefs and agreements, that's it. That's all. NOTHING about the election of 2020, nothing about electric cars, nothing about life on Mars, nothing about the KETO diet, nothing about the age of the universe, nothing about whether dogs or cats make better pets.


No need to be snippy.

 

[Josiah]

What’s the difference between The Small Catechism and Luther’s Small Catechism?

IF you click on the link "The Small Catechism" in my post it will take you to Luther's Small Catechism. Do it.

 

[Faith]

IF you click on the link "The Small Catechism" in my post it will take you to Luther's Small Catechism. Do it.

I just did.