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Evolution
I wasn't really sure where to put this, but this article on CNN came up today and it really bothered me. It's about a human skull they found that is supposed to be an ancestor of ours. I don't like to read things that could shake my faith, but this bothers me and it makes me wonder whether or not we really evolved but it was just done by God's hand. I mean if we really were created then why all of these controversies with the human skulls and our supposed ancestors? Anyone?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/world/europe/ancient-skull-human-evol...
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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Janie,
I saw your blog post and since I posted the reply that's troubling you here in this discussion, I felt led to clarify.
Here is the part that appears to trouble you:
"There is no other Sabbath rest besides Jesus. He alone satisfies the requirements of the Law, and He alone provides the sacrifice that atones for sin. He is God’s plan for us to cease from the labor of our own works. We dare not reject this one-and-only Way of salvation (John 14:6). God’s reaction to those who choose to reject His plan is seen in Numbers 15. A man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, in spite of God’s plain commandment to cease from all labor on the Sabbath. This transgression was a known and willful sin, done with unblushing boldness in broad daylight, in open defiance of the divine authority. "And Jehovah said to Moses, ‘The man shall surely be put to death’" (v. 35). So it will be to all who reject God’s provision for our Sabbath rest in Christ. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3).
All who aren't born again believers are in danger of experiencing the wrath of God for their sin since they aren't trusting in Christ Jesus and resting in the work He has done to save us. All believers enter this rest.
At the time of being born again, believers may not fully understand the meaning of Jesus being our Sabbath, our rest. The unsaved will experience the wrath of God for their sin because sin is the transgression of the law. The unsaved are not under the effects of the New Covenant. Unbelievers will experience God's justice. God is a God of love and mercy, as well as a God of wrath, righteousness, and justice, among other attributes.
Jesus and Saint Paul and others in the NT often quoted the truths found in the OT. In fact, during His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus quoted from the OT to counter Satan's attacks.
In Numbers 15, the death sentence for the Sabbath breaker appears harsh. I agree. However, many view Hell as a harsh punishment for sinners as well. In context, Numbers 15:32-36 is actually showing that God is willing to forgive those who see their sin and repent but those who commit sin intentionally and without repentance receive a harsh judgment. We see harsh judgment in Acts 5 as well and that is after the cross. In several discussions, the difference between God disciplining a believer and punishing an unbeliever has been considered, and it isn't for me to say if the Sabbath breaker in Numbers 15 was or wasn't a believer. Only God knows hearts.
I realize I'm not doing a very well job of explaining the rest we have in Jesus. I know you're a believer, and, therefore, you have entered this rest whether you understand it or not. But those who choose to neglect what Jesus has done for them and go their own way, how shall they escape? It's an important truth to teach because many believers (like myself for many years did) still think that salvation is faith plus works. They are in bondage to legalism. The truth sets us free.
I only wish that everyone could see why God created the earth in six literal days and rested the seventh day. I must leave that with Holy Spirit and trust Him to guide all into truth.
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Wow. Thank you. If I've had any success at all, the glory goes to God alone. But this is just skimming truths off the surface. Think of our eternal rest in Jesus ...
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Permalink Reply by ribbon on
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Thank you very much ,Amanda
I am sure I must have been taught this before but after reading your comment .... its just now really getting me to "see". I have always just thought of the Sabbath as a day of rest to rest and focus on biblical things. I guess I couldn't see it as Jesus Himself being the Sabbath. I need to study this.... soak it in. Thank you for helping me to understand better. I see better but my comprehension is slow to completely understand.
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Permalink Reply by Grazer #E2H on
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We know there are aspects of the bible that not to be treated as history or science (the parables come to mind) They have another purpose to them. Question then becomes which parts fall into this category, how do we tell and what do we to take from those passages? Questions that have been asked and debated for 2000 years by the likes of Aristotle so were in good company :) Note I haven't said we disregard them, history or not they're there for a reason but there's a difference between treating something literalistically (different from literally which means taking it as it was understood by the original audience) and taking it seriously. The former is not always the latter.
"Because the Bible says so" is also a very dangerous approach to take as history has shown.
So whilst I disagree with how you interpret passages Roy, I absolutely agree that we need to take the Bible seriously and think and pray about passages; and not get too annoyed if someone disagrees with us :)
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Permalink Reply by RoyW on
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Grazer,
Comparing a parable when Jesus clearly says He is telling us a story to teach us a spiritual truth is not to be compared with what God has clearly said. A child can figure out which is which. What is poetic is obvious. What is a story is obvious and what is literal is obvious. You believe in common ancestry even though you believe God guided it. In order to believe in common ancestry, you first must dismiss part of God's Word which you seem to be quite willing to do to defend your position. You are willing to put yourself above Scripture. You have this philosophy that we all must decide for ourselves what is true and what is not really true. Do you believe in a worldwide flood? Do you believe that God wiped out the entire human race except Noah and his immediate family and that we all have descended from him? Do you believe that somehow Jesus made bread and fish just appear out of nothing to feed five thousand men plus women and children? If you do believe Jesus did that, why do you believe that and dismiss that He created the heavens in six days? One miracle is as big as the other. Man could not create one loaf of bread out of nothing let alone baskets and baskets full. God is able to do all that He has said He has done. There is no valid reason to question what He has said. We have been told that all our sins would be forgiven freely if we came to Him. I am not going to doubt the One that has told me that. I have more sins that anyone can imagine. God tells me that He will forgive everyone of them and even those that I have not yet committed. I believe Him. I receive that through Jesus my Lord.
The parables are all true and very critical to our faith. They are all there for an important purpose. Perhaps a reading of the parable of the sower and the four kinds of soil would be a great study.
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Geez, you agree with a guy and he still gets upset.
Common ancestry doesn't dismiss Gods word, we are all descendents of Adam & Eve yes, or more accurately Noah and his wife? In which case we all have common ancestors; them. Science has a different meaning for it but the concept is very similar.
I am very willing to accept, and indeed have accepted, that there is so much to scripture that I will not possibly grasp it all whilst on this earth. I learn new things every day about the scriptures. Some of the greatest minds, theologians and philosophers throughout history have studied this and come to different conclusions on meanings of passages and the nature of scripture but some couldn't be so great since a child can figure it out apparently.
My philosophy is that we are all Christians but have different views/approaches to scripture and can take different things from the same passage, because scripture is so rich and we all so different. My philosophy is that I don't think we need to hold onto a particular interpretation of Genesis (or any passage for the most part) for faith to hold together; indeed faith is not about that at all.My philosophy is that whatever works for your relationship with Christ is very important and I will do whatever I can to help with it.
You pointed out that you receive forgiveness through Jesus. Tell me Roy, do you think I do even with my interpretation of Genesis? Or do you think I haven't received it because you think I don't really believe Jesus is the risen Son of God?
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Grazer, that is one question you will have to answer for yourself. You say you believe in Jesus. Yet, Jesus obviously did believe in a literal interpretation of Genesis as did Paul and the other Apostles.
As far as interpretation, there is no way to interpret Scripture other than six days. You may say He didn't really mean six literal days but the only correct interpretation is six days.
The common ancestors I spoke of was the notion that the Chimpanzee and we have a common ancestor. Actually, it is a notion that we and a tree have a common ancestor. It is the notion that a dog and a cat have a common ancestor but somewhere along the line, they parted and became different species. You have defended that notion. Perhaps, now, you have forsaken that belief and now believe that God made all kinds distinctly different from the beginning.
Now, if you are asking me for my opinion on whether you can believe differently from the Word and still be forgiven, I would have to be honest and say that I don't think so. However, all that is up to God and not me. God is very merciful. I do not believe we have to have everything figured out in order to be saved. I do believe that we do have to believe His Word. We must believe Truth and Scripture is Truth. I think that you eventually will have to accept six days. When it really comes down to it, either you believe His Word is true or you don't believe it is true. I do not think it is possible to pick and choose what we believe.
There you go. You asked me once again for my opinion. That is my opinion. The same God that tells us that Jesus was born of a woman that knew no man also tells us that He made the heavens, the earth, the seas and all that is in them and on the seventh day He rested. Jesus said,
Matt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. KJV
The heaven and earth will someday pass but that has not yet happened. The position that whatever works for you is a very shallow position. There is only one position that works and that is Truth.
Yes, a child can figure it out. In fact, Jesus said you must become like a child to enter His Kingdom. He didn't write Scripture so that it would take the greatest minds to understand it. Sometimes a great mind just might hinder someone. You must become like a child. I have asked many children to read and interpret Scripture for me. You would be surprised how much we can learn from them. I guarantee that they can explain to you what six days means.
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No I'm asking you since you have put yourself in the position to determine that I don't believe the scripture and that I put myself above scripture and you know that the only correct interpretation is 6 literal days, indeed the correct interpretation on the whole Bible. So tell me, am I saved? Shouldn't be too difficult for you
A child was asked once, they responded "snakes can't talk" - oh out of the mouths of babes; seems that children do get it after all
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Grazer,
I have asked children that very question. I have asked them before they read Genesis three and then after they read Genesis three. Try it sometime. I guarantee you will be surprised. If a child believes by being taught that God's Word is true, he will say that snakes can talk after all.
I cannot say whether or not you are saved. I do believe you are putting yourself above Scripture when you say you do not believe God actually created the heavens and the earth in six days. I will openly give you the opportunity to show me how that can be interpreted six long ages of time. I think you are basing your belief on other things rather than on Scripture. Your comment above again tells me that.
By the way, I just now again went into a class of about fifteen children and asked them if snakes could talk. I did not say a word to them other than the question. They harmoniously said, "no." I didn't say a word to them contrary to what they had just said. I didn't say a word about Eve. Then, one said, "but a snake did talk to Eve." Another said, "O yeah." Finally they all reversed their initial position and said that that snake did talk. One even mentioned that a donkey also talked. In this case, I didn't even need to read to them from the Bible. They all corrected themselves.
Grazer, except you become as a little child, you will in no wise enter into the Kingdom of God. If I don't believe what He says, I am lost.
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