RTP76
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- Jul 21, 2019
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Hi Thomas, you hit on one of the key elements in support of a literal interpretation of Genesis and the creation account. I'll clarify that a literal interpretation of any text is the natural / assumed / default when reading... unless there are contextual cues suggesting the text is to be taken in another manner. I just wanted to clarify that when I say "literal interpretation", I'm not suggesting this is an unusual interpretation in any way; in fact, this is the standard / normal approach.Hi everyone,
(since I can't answer posts in the section where non-believers are allowed to post)...
a little challenge to everyone believing in the so-called theistic evolution, which I believe is untrue.
Ok?
So if day 1 to day 6 is said to have lasted many millions of years each, how long is day 7 - which is God's rest - following this line of thought?
On one occasion, I've heard a reply in the sense that it simply lasted shorter than the other days... is this how you think?
So why would God's word the Bible choose "day" for a long time span at the beginning of chapter and just a few verses later, "day" describes a rather short period of time? And who is supposed to understand God jumping from one meaning to another in the same chapter?
Someone else said he believed that God still is resting as of today. However, he's worked hard in the mean time initiating the flood, for instance.
I'm curious to learn what you think on this one.
Regards,
Thomas
The original Hebrew text has been studied by hebraists, lexicographers and many theologians, who most have the understanding that the creation account and Genesis in general (as a whole) is written in typical Hebrew narrative form--that is, it is written as if giving an account of actual events and real people. Like our English language "day" (yom) can mean different things depending upon the context in which it is used: "Back in the day before I was married..." indicates a period of time, whereas in two days I'll be going into the weekend means two 24-hr days.
In the context in which yom is used in Genesis, the context is given with evening and morning, as well as sequenced days. This tells me these are to be understood as what we conventionally think of as a 24-hr day (and yes, these days can exist without the need for a physical sun at the center of our solar system... light already existed without the sun on day 1 of creation) and that there are no 'gaps' between the days.
Further supporting this view, the 4th commandment as written in Exodus 20:8-11 tells us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested on the seventh day.
To your point... if a 'day' is an age or some indeterminate period of time, when is the age ("day") of the Sabbath? How could God have set humans up for failure to keep a commandment so poorly articulated--does this sound like the nature of God? I ask rhetorically.
All of the OT and NT authors, and Jesus himself all make references to Genesis as if it is historical and authoritative. It's difficult, in my mind, to say Christ corrected the error of pharisees and scribes on multiple documented occasions and even spoke of future events by referencing people that never existed and events that never happened--it's like saying he taught truths based upon lies... I cannot bring myself to accept such an idea, especially if Jesus is who He claimed to be (and I believe He is).
So, this doesn't answer any of your questions to the theistic evolutionists, but just wanted to support and encourage your faith. I am always encouraged when I see others who, in the face of the conventionally held view within scientific circles, still believe by faith in the truth of God's word. God bless -
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