Pick a Tree (Poll)

[theIdi0t]

If the tree of life is a literal tree, made of bark, with leaves and actual fruits in Genesis what are we to make of the tree of life in Rev:

"down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations." (Rev 22:2)

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Rev 2:7).

So here are the poll options in detail:

1.) I'm a YEC and the tree of life in Rev, and Gen. are both literal trees made, of bark, leaves, and fruits

2.) I'm a YEC and the tree of life in Gen. is a literal tree made of bark, leaves, and fruits, and the tree of life in Rev. is allegorical/metaphorical

3.) I'm a YEC, and there was no literal tree of life in the Gen. Garden of Eden made of bark, leaves, and fruits and both trees of life in Rev. and Gen. are allegorical/metaphorical.

4.) I'm a TE, and I didn't want to be left out, and I didn't think it would be nice to not have spot in the poll to put in my two sense, and I am going to state the obvious here and proclaim both trees are allegorical. Yippee!

 

[Melethiel]

(I'm TE.) I read way too much mythology. As such, in my convoluted mind, I actually have no problem with there being some degree of literalness in the Garden of Eden/trees/etc. They are, of course, allegorical/metaphorical (sorry gluadys, I don't know the technical term - it's been a long time since I've had english) as well. Take that as you will.

 

[Dannager]

Gosh I love polls.

 

[Assyrian]

Why isn't there an 'other' option for TEs?

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil didn't have an 'other' option, did it? 'Other' is a restoration of innocence. Other is chooing to eat from the um, other tree.

2Cor 2:16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Sorry, I tired. I'll go to bed now.

 

[theIdi0t]

Why isn't there an 'other' option for TEs?

See, this is exactly why, originally I thought about not even having a TE option in poll!

You can never please such folks.

 

[shernren]

4.) I'm a TE, and my entire mission in life consists of flaying creationists and stymieing poll administrators.

 

[laptoppop]

5.) I'm a YEC, and a minor mission in my life is flaying TEs and stymieing poll administrators.


Actually, I open to the possiblity of both of the trees being figurative language. I'm also open to both being real trees. It doesn't affect the historicity of the story in Genesis, or the spiritual truth in either.

If I had to take a position, I'd probably say the tree in Genesis was a real tree -- BUT, that it also represented a lot more. The fall of mankind through disobedience is huge. The fact that the disobedience was something that looked good in Eve's eyes reminds me that just because something looks good, I still need to try to make sure its what God wants too.

 

[Melethiel]

5.) I'm a YEC, and a minor mission in my life is flaying TEs and stymieing poll administrators.


Actually, I open to the possiblity of both of the trees being figurative language. I'm also open to both being real trees. It doesn't affect the historicity of the story in Genesis, or the spiritual truth in either.

If I had to take a position, I'd probably say the tree in Genesis was a real tree -- BUT, that it also represented a lot more. The fall of mankind through disobedience is huge. The fact that the disobedience was something that looked good in Eve's eyes reminds me that just because something looks good, I still need to try to make sure its what God wants too.

I actually agree with this. Told you my brain was convoluted.

 

[theIdi0t]

5.) I'm a YEC, and a minor mission in my life is flaying TEs and stymieing poll administrators.


Actually, I open to the possiblity of both of the trees being figurative language. I'm also open to both being real trees. It doesn't affect the historicity of the story in Genesis, or the spiritual truth in either.

Ah, does that also go for the tree of knowledge, if we take it as purely figurative, does that affect the historicity of the story?

 

[theIdi0t]

I wonder why I have no YEC responses on this poll?

Is there something wrong with the options I provided for them, is that why?

 

[Digit]

There's a tree in Genesis?

Just kidding. I have no idea, I haven't really looked into it yet. Although I wouldn't mind a, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" option though.

Digit

 

[theIdi0t]

There's a tree in Genesis?

Just kidding. I have no idea, I haven't really looked into it yet. Although I wouldn't mind a, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" option though.

Digit

Well, that's not a good position to have.

If one is professing the GoE to be "historical", then he should know the parts, and their distinctions.

 

[Digit]

Well, that's not a good position to have.

If one is professing the GoE to be "historical", then he should know the parts, and their distinctions.

What I mean is that I haven't specifically looked into all details of said "tree". Because as laptoppop mentions, it doesn't bear one way or another on the account of Genesis.

Of course I knew there was a tree there... gah, I won't make jokes in future. >_> *cuddles his steak knives*

Digit

 

[theIdi0t]

What I mean is that I haven't specifically looked into all details of said "tree". Because as laptoppop mentions, it doesn't bear one way or another on the account of Genesis.

Of course I knew there was a tree there... gah, I won't make jokes in future. >_> *cuddles his steak knives*

Digit

Ah, does it bear one way or the other, if we are talking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

 

[shernren]

What's a GoE? Goats of Envy?

 

[Digit]

Ah, does it bear one way or the other, if we are talking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

I just said, I don't think so no.

Digit

 

[Digit]

What's a GoE? Goats of Envy?

Garden of Eden.

Digit

 

[theIdi0t]

I just said, I don't think so no.

Digit

That was in reference to Tree of Life, the second question was about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, but you are saying that it does not matter if either of them are literal or figurative.

Now, what about God removing a rib out of Adam while he was sleeping to make Eve?

Would this also have no bearing as Pop would define it:

"no affect on the historicity of the story in Genesis, or the spiritual truth in it either."

 

[Digit]

That was in reference to Tree of Life, the second question was about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, but you are saying that it does not matter if either of them are literal or figurative.

Now, what about God removing a rib out of Adam while he was sleeping to make Eve?

Would this also have no bearing as Pop would define it:

"no affect on the historicity of the story in Genesis, or the spiritual truth in it either."

So wait, lets recap. I said I am not certain, I would need to look into it because I don't think it has any bearing either way, and now you want specifics and to start a debate about it. So wait, lets recap.

I said I am not certain... I would need to look into it. My initial stance is literal for both.

Did you get the memo? I'm not certain, I need to look into it, but I reckon it's literal and see no real issue with it being that way.

Excellent, lets go home!

Thanks!
Digit

 

[theIdi0t]

I'm not certain, I need to look into it, but I reckon it's literal and see no real issue with it being that way.

Let's recap, by quoting you: "Because as laptoppop mentions, it doesn't bear one way or another on the account of Genesis."

This is what you said about the Tree of Life, now you're back peddling and telling me it does have bearing?

What is it?

Did I get the memo?