http://www.christianforums.com/threads/7-day-creation-literal-or-figurative.7682639/
I see the above thread has found new life. It's one of those topics that will be discussed forever. While my position is that the first chapters of Genesis refer to the historical events surrounding God's creative acts, I find the "literal or figurative" debate to be a false dichotomy.
I have fun discussing my view and the views of others when the participants have the right attitude. But I think of such discussions as speculation. If pressed with, "What
really happened?" my answer would be, "I don't know."
So why do so many seem to find that an unsatisfactory answer?
Hi resha,
Well, I can only speak for myself and how I understand the Scriptures, but must point out that there is 'truth'. In every historical event there is 'truth' as to how an event happened and even what caused such events to happen.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, there is a 'truth' as to why that attack happened. We may not know that truth now some 75 years later, but it's there. Did the emperor believe that the United States was on the verge of attacking Japan and therefore took an offensive position to make the first strike? Did the emperor just want to show off Japan's military might and determine that the best way to do that was to attack the most powerful nation on the earth? Was he merely pressured by his staff that he had to attack? What is the 'truth' that really explains the taking off of a few dozen planes to the islands of Hawaii to drop bombs on the U. S. fleet?
Sometimes, looking back on events, the best we can do is to 'assume' what others 'may' have been thinking that led them to their actions. If the person is still alive we can always ask them, but unfortunately, in the world of politics and governments the 'truth' is not always given. Often in the political realm we find that the answers given to questions are what is believed, by the one answering, to be the most acceptable or peaceful answer.
This happens every day in our courtrooms. The one charged with a crime is put on the stand and asked about his whereabouts and motives after having sworn that he would tell the truth, but then witnesses are brought forth to show proof that his explanation is not really the 'truth'. Sometimes the accused coerces others to support their testimony by saying that they were with the accused at such and such a time. Then another witness comes out and says that they saw the accused at the 7-11 down the street a few blocks from the crime near the time of the incident. What is the truth? Whatever witnesses say, there is a 'truth'. However, we are only human and don't have the power of omniscience to actually know where someone is at any given moment outside of their testimony and the testimony of the witnesses. So, we have to make a decision as to who we believe is telling us the 'truth'. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don't.
However, in the case of the Scriptures and the children of God, we wholeheartedly believe that God has told us the 'truth'. Please note that I said 'children of God' and not 'christians'. I think Jesus' words to his disciples concerning the many that would be crying out to him proclaiming their miraculous deeds and great works in his name, make clear that all those who align themselves as 'christians' are not so. But John speaks of those who have the right to be called children of God. People who are born again. Born of the Spirit of God. These will not be denied their rightful place on the day of judgment and these people know the truth.
How do they know the truth? Well, firstly, they believe God and understand that God is omniscient and knows the thoughts and motives of any man. They believe that even though the one giving testimony in the above mentioned example may claim to be telling the truth, that God knows the truth. Secondly, they believe and follow Paul's admonition to Timothy to know and study the Scriptures to show themselves approved.
So, in conclusion, since the Scriptures do give us a testimony of the creation of all things, the born again believer should know the answers as to the time and cause of all things. No, this doesn't mean that we can explain the physical process that caused the earth to be standing in the heavens the moment that God created it to be thus, but God has given us a pretty sure timeline of the when. So, the question becomes, if one doesn't believe and understand the purposes and explanations found in the Scriptures, then, are they the children of God? Or rather, are they the children of 666, the number of man?
I often reflect on the Scriptural account given in the Revelation of Satan and his effort, after the woman escapes his efforts to defeat her, to pursue the rest of the believers. How is Satan accomplishing this work among men. We know that he is much stronger and wiser than any of us. Is it at all possible that when a man picks up a stone and says to us, "This rock is millions of years old!", that Satan isn't standing right beside that man saying, "Oh yes! Tell them that and print it as a bold headline in all the papers and journals. You guys make my work so easy!"
Just thoughts to consider. How, I mean by what actual physical representations and work upon the earth, is Satan continuing his attack on those who believe in the testimony of God? Consider also that Jesus called a group of Jews children of their father, Satan. Now, let's be sensible about this. These people weren't murderers and thieves and just wicked people, as judged by men. They were probably many 'good' people. They likely had friends and did good things for their friends and family. They obviously would have professed a faith in God. But it seems that Jesus referred to them as children of Satan because they didn't believe his testimony. While they claimed of themselves to be children of God, by what they believed and taught, they proved themselves to the Lord, not to be.
So, I think it important that we understand that one's being a child of Satan shouldn't be expected to be born out in just some wickedness or evil that we would agree is pure wickedness and evil, but rather just the simple fact that they don't actually believe God and His testimony. They are more apt to believe the testimony of men like themselves.
God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
