Seven Days that Divide the World

I saw and heard rhetoric used in a sermon/lecture we watched in bible class by a man named John C. Lennox. The sermon was about the first seven days of the world as described in Genesis one. Lennox is a professor of mathematics and an author.

Lennox wanted people to understand that the age of earth is never truly discussed, and that one can accept most scientific views on the age of earth while also believing the words of the Bible. The views he discusses aren’t simply the ‘twenty-four hour day’ views, either- they include time periods from as short as twelve hours to as long as ages. He makes it clear that the interpretations could easily all be correct, and that they may depend, as well, and the days might be of all different lengths.

Lennox uses logos by referencing the Bible and science both to back up his statements. He also brings up different examples of possible views. For example, the day could be seen as the period of time the sun is up in the sky, or twelve hours. According to another verse, many years to humans is like the blink of an eye to God, so the days could just as easily be ages. The days may also be viewed as being like chapters, or be the times God revealed the creation to man. He says that all are valid ways to interpret the Bible.

As for ethos, Lennox is a famous preacher, author, and scientist. He is well known for his book on the same topic as this sermon, Seven Days That Divide the World, as well as his debates with atheists on God’s existence and power.

There was not much pathos in this sermon, as Lennox is mainly relying on logos, and then ethos.

I believe that this sermon was very persuasive. It was good to hear someone addressing the topic of old and new earth in a biblical and scientific way. I also found it interesting that Lennox believes that whichever of these views we prefer isn’t as important as knowing who is the one that made it all, and that He could have made the earth in any length of time.