Can I be a Christian yet not believe

JeffK74 · Feb 24, 2007

Genesis to be a literal series of events that occurred in the order that they are written in. I am having a difficult time trying to understand how many of the events occurred in Genesis. At this time I am only on Chapter 11 but it is nearly impossible for me to believe this all to be fact.

For instance, I do not believe it is at all true that the world was engulfed with water 20 feet above any mountain. I can not imagine that the Ark could have held two of every creature, and all of the creatures could have survived at the altitude the Ark had risen to. I could rationalize and believe that there was a flood, but it was not on such a collosal scale, and that a few farm animals may have been stored on a boat. Another example is that I can not believe that it only took 7 24 hour days for the Universe to come into existence.

I can believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and I can believe that he was resurrected I can have faith in that much, but when it comes to the OT I just can not muster that much faith. Please help me, I really do want to believe but I can not force myself into believing stuff I know to be incorrect, or highly improbable.

Key · Feb 24, 2007

You could just stop there.

Jesus is the Keystone...

God Bless

Key.

tapero · Feb 24, 2007

Hi Jeff,

I do take the bible literally, the old testament which you are speaking of. I think there's are Christians that don't take things literally.

I would continue to grow in your love and faith in Jesus, and see what happens.

Maybe someday you will take it literally.

Yes, you can still be a Christian and not take things in the OT literally.

You are not a weak Christian nor minimal.

God will reveal to you things in His time.

God bless you for the question.

Tapero :hug:

ConanTheLibrarian · Feb 24, 2007

This does not at all pose a problem. Rightly understood, the truths of scripture cannot contradict the truths of science. God is the author of both. He does not lie.

The early chapters of Genesis use the language of myth and poetry to convey their truths more powerfully that a matter-of-fact narrative could: that God is the Creator, that the human race has gone horribly wrong, and that sin is a serious matter. We are not required to believe in a 6,000 year old earth, or flood waters 20 feet over the top of Mt. Everest.

The Catholic approach makes sense to me, which I've just summarized. If you want to explore this in more detail, this article may be helpful:

http://www.catholic.com/library/Adam_Eve_and_Evolution.asp

You may also find Reasons to Believe a helpful site. They show that science is an ally of faith, not an enemy:

http://www.reasons.org/

calidog · Feb 24, 2007

absolutely, that is all that is essential.

Mikedatigah · Feb 24, 2007

Read Hebrews chapter 1. It is clear.

1Now faith is the (A)assurance of things (B)hoped for, the conviction of (C)things not seen.

2For by it the (D)men of old (E)gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the (F)worlds were prepared (G)by the word of God, so that what is seen (H)was not made out of things which are visible.
4By faith (I)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he (J)obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his (K)gifts, and through faith, though (L)he is dead, he still speaks.
5By faith (M)Enoch was taken up so that he would not (N)see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who (O)comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7By faith (P)Noah, being (Q)warned by God about (R)things not yet seen, (S)in reverence (T)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of (U)the righteousness which is according to faith.
8By faith (V)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to (W)receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9By faith he lived as an alien in (X)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (Y)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (Z)fellow heirs of the same promise;
10for he was looking for (AA)the city which has (AB)foundations, (AC)whose architect and builder is God.
11By faith even (AD)Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him (AE)faithful who had promised.
12Therefore there was born even of one man, and (AF)him as good as dead at that, as many descendants (AG)AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.
13(AH)All these died in faith, (AI)without receiving the promises, but (AJ)having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and (AK)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, (AL)they would have had opportunity to return.
16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a (AM)heavenly one Therefore (AN)God is not ashamed to be (AO)called their God; for (AP)He has prepared a city for them.
17By faith (AQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had (AR)received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
18it was he to whom it was said, "(AS)IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED."
19He considered that (AT)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a (AU)type.
20By faith (AV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21By faith (AW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and (AX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22By faith (AY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23By faith (AZ)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the (BA)king's edict.
24By faith Moses, (BB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25choosing rather to (BC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26(BD)considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (BE)reward.
27By faith he (BF)left Egypt, not (BG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as (BH)seeing Him who is unseen.
28By faith he (BI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that (BJ)he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29By faith they (BK)passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30By faith (BL)the walls of Jericho fell down (BM)after they had been encircled for seven days.

talitha · Feb 24, 2007

If you accept that the blood of Jesus cleanses you from sin, and that He rose from the dead to give you eternal life with God, and if you are going forward with your life in relationship with Him as your Lord, you are a Christian. As tapero said, above, "God will reveal to you things in His time." There are things that I've had to have a higher level of faith to believe, and faith comes with growing spiritually in the knowledge of His word and in communicating with our Shepherd, Jesus. As Gentiles, Jesus is our entry point into the life of God's Kingdom, so if I were you I would start my study of the Word by reading the gospels. If you are of a thinker/philosopher bent, you would probably like the gospel of John.

blessings on you
tal

fishon · Feb 24, 2007

JeffK74,
You are right, "...it is nearly impossible for me [you] to believe this to be a fact."

Jeff, facts require NO faith. But events of the Bible that appear impossible to our finite mind, requires faith that our God is more than up to the task of doing exactly what He said he did, according to scripture.

If it was possible for God to create just one thing out of absolutely nothing, then it is NOT unreasonable to assume that He could and did what He says He did in the Genesis creation model.

No one has explained to me how Jesus was born of a virgin, but I believe it on faith, not on any scientific fact. I do not understand how Jesus could, with a word, calm a storm and walk on water. Science says, can't be done. Faith say, "Nothing is impossible with God."

One of Satan's biggest weapons against man is his ability to convince people that if he can't conceive it, understand it, or prove it, then it just can't be. He loves to have us develope our own limited gods.

For me, Jeff, it is exciting to worship a God of no limits; a God that can say, "Let there be light," and there was. I am glad I have a God that is mysterious in His ways. A God that says, "Where were you when I formed the Earth?" If we understood the dynamics of creation and the dynamics of God, then we would be on His level; in fact, we would have His Character and attributes.

Jeff, go outside tonight and look at the stars. Did they just appear in a moment of time out of absolutely nothing? Then please, in the morning tell me how it all came into being.

You said: "...I can not force myself into believing stuff I know to be incorrect or highly improbable."

I agree that I too could not force myself into believing stuff I know to be incorrect, and rightly so.
How ever, when it comes to God, I understand that almost all that He has done it "highly improbable." Amen, that is what makes Him God. If God could only do what my little mind conceives as probable, then He wouldn't be God, would he?

I am a pastor, and when someone asks me to explain the Noah's flood, I just say, "I can't. It is bigger than I, am mere man, can't imagine." It is a mystery, and that makes life worth living. I have absolutely no idea about those animals on the ark. But I have no problem believing the biblical account of it, because God's ways are not my ways, and thank goodness for that.

Don't be bothered about about what you don't understand about God or His creation. Just become excited that you have a God that is bigger, smarter, more powerful than you are.

By the way, that one who told you that "The early chapters of Genesis use the language of myth and poetry to convey their truths more powerfully...," make them prove that statement. You might ask them then, "tell me," how did creation happen?" ----Their explaination will be just their opinion---I will take God's Word over their opinion--by faith.

Don't limit your God--let the mystery of the unanswered questions excite your spirit.
fishon

rocklife · Feb 24, 2007

yes, I also have some trouble with Genesis, but instead of focusing on that, I ask God to help me what I can focus on, and to help me with all that I don't understand. the bible does say we will not know all things, this time and generation is like seeing in a cloudy mirror. But God is good, we can have hope that good will triumph evil, and we should allow room for our own lack of all-knowledge

Marycita · Feb 24, 2007

I am kind of going through the same thing...but parts of the OT I have no problem taking literally,but others I don't know. Like, Jonah in a whale for three days? I don't know, but then I have no problem believing Moses parted the Red Sea. But also - about the Ark...if you pay attention to the measurements, it is possible for two of every kind. And I remember reading something about the actual flood a biblical scholar and historian wrote, but I can't remember exactly what it said, so I don't want to mis quote it...I will try to find it again. As far as the 7 24 days in which God created the world - well that is why some believe in theistic evolution. Apparently ( I haven't done research about this myself, but a good friend of mine has) the "days" very well could have been much longer than 24 hours...there's support for that in the Bible...don't know which verses exactly, sorry. Also, my friend told me that it matches up when things happen according to scientists. I don't know, I think God created everything - even science.

You'll figure it all out - all you gotta do is ask God to help you out....and He'll make sure you understand the essentials.

God Bless and Bless God!!

ebia · Feb 24, 2007

That's fine. Many (most?) of the world's Christians believe Genesis to not be historically accurate. Genesis is a collection of pieces of literature designed to teach us important truths about God, creation, ourselves, and the relationships between those. It's not there to tell us the mechanics of world-creation. Some of the later stories may have their roots in historical events but they aren't historical writting as we know it - a genre that didn't exist then.

Don't disbelieve Genesis - it's the most important book of the O.T. by far. Just recognise it as a collection of stories to teach major truths, stories that are not intended to be historically accurate (a concept that would have been meaningless to their original authors).

JeffK74 · Feb 24, 2007

Thank all of you for your replies. I have been reading more from the Bible, searching the internet, and praying. I've been a non believer for many years and it is hard to maintain faith. I wish I had a tenth of the faith most of you have. It is strange, because I honestly feel ashamed for trying to find God, it is as though I am admitting defeat.. I keep trying to find excuses not to believe, while at the same time I want to believe.

A couple of days ago I prayed to God for the first time in a while and I felt comforted by it. I had to admit to myself that I might be wrong, and a God could exist. Hopefully I find the strength to muster it. I want to believe that Jesus died for our sins, and that God exists. I believe that I might find faith in it. As I said earlier, the Genesis story is the area I was having problems in, thanks again for helping me through it.

Zeena · Feb 24, 2007

I will pray for you

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

calidog · Feb 24, 2007

It's cool brother, we all go through doubt, at least you can admit it. Remember the parable Jesus gave us:

Mar 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Mar 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Mar 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mar 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mar 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mar 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Mar 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Confess · Feb 24, 2007

Give it time. I used to believe that Adam signified all men and Eve signified all women to justify how the earth filled with people so quickly.

After some time went by, reading, learning etc. my faith grew and I was able to understand that a God who can create the whole universe can also do something as small as flood the earth.

Paisley · Feb 24, 2007

If the earth was created in seven literal days (our days) then the sun and the moon would have been made on the first day in Genesis, instead of the fourth day. I believe the earth (indeed the universe) was all created in God's time, not man's. As our Church states, "it's a mystery" and we leave it at that. I know many Christians that believe in evolution ... and if they can be comfortable with that, who are we to argue that... it is a matter of personal faith. I do not believe in evolution because of many facts, one of which the Bible states death was introduced into the world only when Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge in the garden, and we all know that evolution relies on death to improve the species, etc. If you study the Bible closely you will see it says a lot more than what is simply on the surface, and then understanding it will enlighten and edify you. Don't give up! Keep searching... and you will find.

Can I be a Christian yet not believe

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