Science and the evolution of Christianity - scope for understanding?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The evidence based Stig on November 18, 2011 at 3:09pm

There's just too many "quirks" in the genesis account for me to look at it as a literal, historical account. I have mentioned many here and no one has really answered them properly, or at least not to a level that makes more sense to me than my current views. I have no issues (well, very few) issues with people interpreting Genesis literally, that's their right, that's what they think God meant, there's just too many holes in it for me and I don't see anything to suggest God meant the whole of scripture to be taken literally (Jesus rarely spoke literally, it was always in metaphor and parables). There are holes in my interpretation I freely admit that though that may be part of Gods plan, no 1 single interpretation will give you all the answers.

I've stated my main problem throughout this conversation and I've been made aware of a letter Darwin wrote where he seems to acknowledge the limits of his theory. I've pasted the main bit below:

But I may say that the impossibility of conceiving that this grand and wondrous universe, with our conscious selves, arose through chance, seems to me the chief argument for the existence of God; but whether this is an argument of real value, I have never been able to decide. I am aware that if we admit a first cause, the mind still craves to know whence it came and how it arose. Nor can I overlook the difficulty from the immense amount of suffering through the world. I am, also, induced to defer to a certain extent to the judgment of the many able men who have fully believed in God; but here again I see how poor an argument this is. The safest conclusion seems to be that the whole subject is beyond the scope of man’s intellect; but man can do his duty

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amanda on November 18, 2011 at 3:52pm

Grazer, you said:

I don't see anything to suggest God meant the whole of scripture to be taken literally

I don't think anyone here in this forum has said we should interpret the whole Bible literally. One person mentioned that he takes it at face value and I mentioned that I actually do  not even care for the question "Do you read the Bible literally?" when someone asks it. I pray the Lord gives me the knowledge and wisdom to take it and understand it and read it just as He meant it when He said it.

There is much of Scripture though that is literal. I believe Genesis 1 and 2 are great examples. I understand that you do not agree. The most important thing is that both of us are taking the Bible seriously. We believe it is the Word of God and is infallible. We read it and study it and pray over it and share what we are thinking about it and I feel this pleases the Lord.

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. (Malachi 3:16, NIV)

That's one of my favorite verses.

BTW, today the phrase "reading Scripture literally" literally means taking each word at face value as it is found in its literary context with regard to the appropriate genre (Psalm, Proverb, apocalyptic, etc...) If you've ever studied literature, you know what I mean. In the Book of Job, when God makes His reply, He uses magnificent poetry. The Bible is a masterpiece when it comes to literature. What we find in it is so different from that of any other nation of the world--it is about one God, the Creator of all things, all-powerful and just and in it the Hebrews of the OT are a nation set apart, always alien, and the Church in the NT is a special people set apart. We are blessed to have the written Word.

You can read more about Biblical Genre here.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on November 18, 2011 at 4:03pm

Amen.Very beautiful and true sister Amanda.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by The evidence based Stig on November 18, 2011 at 4:05pm

Yeah, poor choice of words. I didn't mean the whole of scripture.  There are parts of scripture that are definitely not mean to be taken literally, it's just, as you said, I regard the creation account as one such text

The most important thing is that both of us are taking the Bible seriously. We believe it is the Word of God

Completely agree with you on this :)

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 15
• 16
• 17
• Next ›
• Page