The Creation Story: Literal, or Figurative?

[Diamond72]

Discovering that earth is millions of years old, likewise doesn't give us the authority to then say "well I guess each day must be millions of years then".

It does not really matter what the number is. The problem is to get science and the Bible to line up. The events all lined up but the dates did not line up at all. Gerald Schroeder is the only one that can get them to agree.

The Age of the Universe: One Reality Viewed from Two Different Perspectives | Aish

Can the universe be young and old simultaneously?

aish.com

The scientific method begins with a hypothesis—a testable statement or prediction. From there, it goes through systematic steps: conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions. It’s all about testing ideas and refining our understanding based on evidence.

OEC began with Christians the the Hebrew people before them. That is where the evidence took them.

 

[Job 33:6]

It does not really matter what the number is. The problem is to get science and the Bible to line up. The events all lined up but the dates did not line up at all. Gerald Schroeder is the only one that can get them to agree.


OEC began with Christians the the Hebrew people before them. That is where the evidence took them.

No, the events do not line up, nor do the ages (Birds did not exist on Earth before land animals, in the fossil record, for example). It is not a problem trying to get science and the Bible to line up. The problem is that people think or feel the need that they should line up, rather than understanding that the Bible isn't a science textbook. The Bible is a book of theology, not of material physics or some other scientific concept.

A good example of this is Psalm 74:14-17, which describes God slaying a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent at the creation of the cosmos. Some things simply have nothing to do with science.

The Bible was never intended to be a scientifically accurate text. You'd think that people would have gotten the hint when a snake started talking to a woman made out of a rib bone. But some people still insist that it must be a scientific explanation despite Adam clearly entering a visionary dreamlike state just beforehand (like in Daniel for example), and the serpent being described in Ezekiel as a cherub guardian (a serpentine elohim that has nothing to do with the actual animal that is a snake).

The Bible through and through is the furthest thing from science that one could imagine.

Yet here we are, with people suggesting that Genesis is a rendition of Jurassic park, as if it speaks of paleontology and earth history.

 

[Diamond72]

The Bible is a book of theology, not of material physics or some other scientific concept.

Science explains the "how," while the Bible often addresses the "why." Embracing both perspectives can lead to a fuller, more nuanced view of life and the universe.

A good example of this is Psalm 74:14-17, which describes God slaying a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent at the creation of the cosmos. Some things simply have nothing to do with science.

Psalm 74:14-17 uses vivid and symbolic imagery to convey theological themes of God's power and sovereignty over chaos and evil. It’s more about the spiritual narrative than a literal scientific account. This poetic language helps us grasp deeper truths that transcend empirical observation.

Recognizing these different layers of meaning enriches our understanding.

You'd think that people would have gotten the hint when a snake started talking to a woman made out of a rib bone.

My personal opinion is that Eve came from the side of Adam not his "rib". This does line up with the scientific explanation of HOW we became male and female. Male and female together reflect the full image of God (Genesis 1:27). Just as we become separated from God it is though marriage to Jesus that we become reunited.

Most everything is a lesson to teach us spiritual truth using the Universe and the Physical world or what we call science.

 

[Job 33:6]

Science explains the "how," while the Bible often addresses the "why." Embracing both perspectives can lead to a fuller, more nuanced view of life and the universe.

Psalm 74:14-17 uses vivid and symbolic imagery to convey theological themes of God's power and sovereignty over chaos and evil. It’s more about the spiritual narrative than a literal scientific account. This poetic language helps us grasp deeper truths that transcend empirical observation.

Sure. And at the end of the day, it's not science.

Recognizing these different layers of meaning enriches our understanding.

My personal opinion is that Eve came from the side of Adam not his "rib". This does line up with the scientific explanation of HOW we became male and female. Male and female together reflect the full image of God (Genesis 1:27). Just as we become separated from God it is though marriage to Jesus that we become reunited.

Most everything is a lesson to teach us spiritual truth using the Universe and the Physical world or what we call science.

And how exactly does a woman being made out of a rib bone, or a side of a man's body, align with the scientific explanation for how we became male and female? I can't say that I've ever heard of such a thing in any scientific research that I've ever read.

Do you think that these passages are discussing proterozoic cell division or something?

 

[Diamond72]

Sure. And at the end of the day, it's not science.

God is infinite, Science and MAN is finite. The Bible says God can do anything. Man is limited in what he can do. In fact even with science we understand a very, very small amount of what there is in the universe. It amazes me that the tiny bit we do understand people object to.

They say God is above and beyond all we could ever think or imagine.

• Ephesians 3:20-21: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"
  
  
  
• Luke 18:27: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God"
  
  
  
• Matthew 19:26: Jesus says that with God all things are possible

 

[FredVB]

I do not intend to be sidetracked with off topic discussion of meanings of the original words. It comes down to not dismissing what I read from the Bible for some current scientific theories. I do not believe Jesus would have been wrong about it.

 

[Diamond72]

It comes down to not dismissing what I read from the Bible for some current scientific theories.

There is NOTHIG to dismiss. Science and the Bible are in agreement. Theistic evolutionists believe that God created the universe and life through natural processes as the means through which God accomplishes His purposes.

Re-establishing Order: Others suggest that miracles may not necessarily violate natural laws but could represent a re-establishment of a higher order that is normally beyond human understanding. This view posits that miracles are part of a broader divine plan and align with higher principles of the universe.

Of course not everyone agrees but it is nice to know both sides of an issue.

 

[Aaron112]

The flesh profits nothing.