Similes, or literal?

[EdMa]

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8

I heard so many people use this verses to support theistic evolution, but my question is can we really?

Thanks!

 

[dies-l]

Generally, I have seen that argument used by OECs more than I have seen it used by TEs. I tend to lean toward TE myself, and I would tend to avoid that argument.

As for your question of whether the verse is literal or metaphor/simile. I think language is pretty clear that it is a simile. Peter (and the psalmist that he is referencing) is not saying that one human day is a thousand years to God and that a thousand human years is like a day to God. He is saying that God's time and our time are radically different. He is dealing with eschatological concerns of his readers concerning the imminent return of Christ. He is reminding them that His return is on God's time not ours.

But, as an argument for Theistic Evolution, I don't think that this verse adds anything.

 

[EdMa]

I got it confused then, sorry! I know I hear this verse use for some kind of origin theology argument... Just didn't remember which.

 

[98cwitr]

I dont think it's in that context or can be used as such (even though I believe in evolution), in my opinion, it speaks that God is timeless and that God is patient with us.

 

[dies-l]

I got it confused then, sorry! I know I hear this verse use for some kind of origin theology argument... Just didn't remember which.

OECs typically argue that the creation narrative is basically literal, at least in regard to the order and mechanism of creation, but that each day in the narrative is an eon of time, not necessarily 24 hours days. This verse helps them to make that argument without deviating too much from a relatively literal reading. TEs generally don't care about deviating from a literal interpretation.

 

[Yekcidmij]

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8

I heard so many people use this verses to support theistic evolution, but my question is can we really?

Thanks!

No, it's just a figure of speech. It should be obvious from the text that Peter isn't giving some sort of ruling on the philosophy of time.