We believe . . .
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that the universe, the world, and the human race came into existence in the beginning when God created heaven and earth and all creatures (Genesis 1,2). In addition, we believe that further witness to this event is found in other passages of the Old and New Testaments (for example, Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 11:3). The creation of the world and everything in it occurred in the course of six consecutive days of unknown length by the power of God's almighty word.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that God in his gracious providence richly and daily provides for the bodily needs of all people (Psalm 145:15,16). He also protects believers against all danger by keeping evil away from them (Psalm 121:7) or by making it serve their good (Romans 8:28).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that the Bible represents a true, factual, and historical account of creation.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that God created Adam and Eve in his own image (Genesis 1:26,27). Their belief, desires, and spirit were in complete accord with God (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24). They were additionally given the ability to "suppress" God's creation (Genesis 1:28) and the accountability to care for it (Genesis 2:15).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that Adam and Eve lost their divine image when they succumbed to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God's command. This brought upon them the judgment of God: "You will surely die" (Genesis 2:17). Since that time all people are conceived and born in a sinful state (Psalm 51:5) and are disposed only to evil (Genesis 8:21). "Flesh gives birth to flesh" (John 3:6). Since all people are by nature dead in sin and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1), they are unable to reunite themselves to God by their own efforts and deeds.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believe, teach, and confess that God created a multitude of good angels. Sometime after creation, a number of these angels rebelled against God under the leadership of one of their own who is called Satan or the devil (Peter 2:4). Ever since, these malevolent angels have opposed God and His people (1 Peter 5:8).
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace deny all theories of evolution as an elucidation of the origin of the universe and the human race and all attempts to harmonize the scriptural account of creation with such theories.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace reject interpretations that reduce the first chapters of Genesis to a recitation of myths or parables or prosaic accounts that are not accurate history.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace deny all theories that distort the distinction between human beings and animals, since only human beings have immortal souls and are accountable to God.
The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace deny all views that look upon people as basically good by nature; that consider their natural tendencies to be mere weaknesses, which are not sinful; or that fail to recognize their total spiritual depravity and their inability to please God (Romans 3:9-18). The Lutheran Churches Of Calvary Grace believes that this is what Scripture teaches about creation, mankind, and sin. This we believe, teach, and confess.
