From Pannenberg “Theology of Creation and Natural Science” The Ashbury Theological Journal v. 50 n. 1 1995
Half a century ago Karl Barth wrote in the preface to his treatment of creation in his Church Dogmatics (III/I, 1945), that there are “absolutely no scientific questions, objections or supports concerning what Scripture and the Christian Church understand to be God’s work of Creation.” Such a restriction of the theology of creation to a “retelling” of what the Bible tells us about this subject, has its price and the price to be paid here was that it could no longer be made clear, in how far the biblical faith in creation means the same world that the human race now inhabits and that is described by modern science. The affirmation that the God of the Bible created the world degenerates in to an empty formula, and the biblical God himself becomes a powerless phantom, if he can no longer be understood as the one who originates and completes the world as it is given to our experience.
It follows that the decision has to be made as to where the connection between what the examination of the creation (the 'natural' world) finds and the revelation of creation as historical event is to be made. Further in the same article, Pannenberg discusses the intersection of philosophical ideas and scientific proposals. At this juncture too there seems to be opportunity for critical analysis. Pannenberg finds the area wanting, and offers theology as the 'step in'. I'd agree (I'm sure P. would be impressed by that!!), but would urge that the ideological commitments are clarified before any such work is done.
