If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

[Neogaia777]

If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

God Bless!

 

[HitchSlap]

Correct, it would seem that a literal interpretation of both G1/2 are at odds with actual evidence.

 

[Neogaia777]

Correct, it would seem that a literal interpretation of both G1/2 are at odds with actual evidence.

But what kind of interpretation are we supposed to interpret it by?

God Bless!

 

[Davian]

 

[HitchSlap]

But what kind of interpretation are we supposed to interpret it by?

God Bless!

I accept it as a cultural creation myth. One of thousands, I might add.

 

[Loudmouth]

If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

God Bless!

The same way that Aesop's Fables are true even though animals don't literally talk.

 

[Cearbhall]

If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

The way I learned it in Catholic school is that it gives us the reasons why God guided evolution with the ultimate goal of mankind, as well as other philosophical lessons about our existence. We are made "in His image" in mind and body in a way that no other species is or was. It also tells us that much of the suffering in the world is caused by sin and that disobeying God separates us from Him. These are the things that the authors wanted people to know when they made up the story. There were a couple other lessons that I can't remember at the moment.

 

[Neogaia777]

The same way that Aesop's Fables are true even though animals don't literally talk.

I'm not familiar with Aesop's Fables...

Could you please answer this: What kind of "truth" would you call that?

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

I accept it as a cultural creation myth. One of thousands, I might add.

Don't you think that the beginnings of Genesis are man-made fables, I think that it too intelligent for that, Moses may have had those stories passed down orally, or some of it may have been recorded... I just think that the beginnings of Genesis were designed by a superior supernatural other dimensional intelligence I call God. Genesis is to ingenious to be concocted by the mind of a man, so I think it was indoctrinated for us to learn that there is a higher truth to it...

God Bless!

 

[Cearbhall]

I think that it too intelligent for that, [...] Genesis is to ingenious to be concocted by the mind of a man, so I think it was indoctrinated for us to learn that there is a higher truth to it...

You should check out some of the countless other creation myths from civilizations around the world. Genesis is actually pretty boring and simplistic compared to some of them, and it's impossible for all of them to be true.

 

[Loudmouth]

I'm not familiar with Aesop's Fables...

Could you please answer this: What kind of "truth" would you call that?

God Bless!

Moral truths. For example, . . .

"Driven by hunger, a fox tried to reach some grapes hanging high on the vine but was unable to, although he leaped with all his strength. As he went away, the fox remarked 'Oh, you aren't even ripe yet! I don't need any sour grapes.' People who speak disparagingly of things that they cannot attain would do well to apply this story to themselves."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fox_and_the_Grapes

 

[The Cadet]

Don't you think that the beginnings of Genesis are man-made fables, I think that it too intelligent for that,

What's so intelligent about it?

 

[Neogaia777]

Moral truths. For example, . . .

"Driven by hunger, a fox tried to reach some grapes hanging high on the vine but was unable to, although he leaped with all his strength. As he went away, the fox remarked 'Oh, you aren't even ripe yet! I don't need any sour grapes.' People who speak disparagingly of things that they cannot attain would do well to apply this story to themselves."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fox_and_the_Grapes

So, Genesis is morally true to you... I was more hoping for metaphorical, symbolic, subjective, figurative, allegorical, something like that, but thank you for replying...

God Bless!

 

[Michael]

If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

God Bless!

As an allegory.

 

[Merlin]

Correct, it would seem that a literal interpretation of both G1/2 are at odds with actual evidence.

It could also be that your interpretation of science, as you understand it, could be wrong.

 

[Merlin]

If the beginnings of Genesis aren't literally true, then what way are they true?

God Bless!

Many of us accept Genesis as literally true

 

[Merlin]

Correct, it would seem that a literal interpretation of both G1/2 are at odds with actual evidence.

No, it is only at odds with your beliefs.

 

[crjmurray]

What's so intelligent about it?

Gen 3:11 "Who told you that you were naked?"

High brow stuff.

 

[Subduction Zone]

No, it is only at odds with your beliefs.

No, it is at odds with the evidence. That is why well over 90% of all scientists accept evolution. When it comes to people that understand that topic the best it is over 99% and approaching or even passing 99.9%. To reject the theory of evolution one must eventually rejects all science.

 

[Loudmouth]

So, Genesis is morally true to you... I was more hoping for metaphorical, symbolic, subjective, figurative, allegorical, something like that, but thank you for replying...

God Bless!

Metaphor and allegory are tools that people use to relate truths, not truth in and of themselves.

Also, I am saying that Genesis strives to use stories to communicate what the authors consider to be moral truths.