The Need to interpret the Genesis creation account literally.

[Akita Suggagaki]

Ever since the Renaissance back in the 15th and 16th centuries the literal interpretation has been challenged. We have the divine between liberal and conservative. approaches to the Bible. I am more interested in Why we hold the views that we hold.

For me, I think it comes down to a different question, 'Does God act and work through human effort? That is to say science, geology, archeology, higher critical methods of scripture study, etc. I also think God would will a consistency or correlation between science discoveries and truth of history. In there words something like "imbedded age theory" would make no sense.

Of course the bring another question. What can be taken as literal and what is the criteria to decide?

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Ever since the Renaissance back in the 15th and 16th centuries the literal interpretation has been challenged. We have the divine between liberal and conservative. approaches to the Bible. I am more interested in Why we hold the views that we hold.

For me, I think it comes down to a different question, 'Does God act and work through human effort? That is to say science, geology, archeology, higher critical methods of scripture study, etc. I also think God would will a consistency or correlation between science discoveries and truth of history. In there words something like "imbedded age theory" would make no sense.

Of course the bring another question. What can be taken as literal and what is the criteria to decide?

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

There is a big difference between modern fundamentalist literal and literary literal. Not the same things at all. Fundamentalist literalism is a new thing since about 1800. Creationism in particular is a new thing. But even fundamentalism has evolved (devolved) since the days of ‘The Five Fumdamentals’.

Lots of Catholics have swallowed fundamentalist creationism whole. But we were not always so.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

Ever since the Renaissance back in the 15th and 16th centuries the literal interpretation has been challenged. We have the divine between liberal and conservative. approaches to the Bible. I am more interested in Why we hold the views that we hold.

For me, I think it comes down to a different question, 'Does God act and work through human effort? That is to say science, geology, archeology, higher critical methods of scripture study, etc. I also think God would will a consistency or correlation between science discoveries and truth of history. In there words something like "imbedded age theory" would make no sense.

Of course the bring another question. What can be taken as literal and what is the criteria to decide?

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

For all intents and purposes, I see Genesis as poetry. It is not the first book ever written about the history of the earth and man. And I have little doubt God was working with mankind before it was penned. I think it borrows from previous civilizations/cultures, but not because I believe it "ripped off" what they wrote and believed, but rather because it is the documents produced by a people/culture that God separated out from the general population of man to be His unique people, through whom he brought us the one man that could undo what Adam (early man) did. I'm not saying Adam and Eve didn't really exist. Rather, I'm saying it's possible it didn't happen in exactly the way so many people interpret it.

As I read the bible, study the bible, pray, and experience actual miracles, I've found over the decades that my view of the earth has changed thusly: I now see God as the creator of the universe, and he created mankind to manage his creation on this particular planet. And there are probably countless (maybe infinite) planets on which he's created "planetary managers" for each planet just as he did for this one. And he wants to have a relationship with us on this planet and has done what is required for us be come into a relationship with him, as Adam had.

And that it is more complicated than that in ways we cannot imagine.

 

[Grip Docility]

Ever since the Renaissance back in the 15th and 16th centuries the literal interpretation has been challenged. We have the divine between liberal and conservative. approaches to the Bible. I am more interested in Why we hold the views that we hold.

For me, I think it comes down to a different question, 'Does God act and work through human effort? That is to say science, geology, archeology, higher critical methods of scripture study, etc. I also think God would will a consistency or correlation between science discoveries and truth of history. In there words something like "imbedded age theory" would make no sense.

Of course the bring another question. What can be taken as literal and what is the criteria to decide?

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

I will simply say this one thing, in response to your well written OP. To some Christians, this is a matter of utter faith to the degree that they could be swept away by doubt if they were forced to change their view on the matter. To others, it is a matter of admission that we weren't there and nothing more.

This only becomes a paramount matter when witness is brought up in reference to this matter.

Rarely have I been pressed on this topic, but if it becomes a pressing matter, my response is now rehearsed. I ask one single question. "Could you please share with me one verse in scripture that suggests that Salvation hinges on being a YEC or not being a YEC?"

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

To some Christians, this is a matter of utter faith to the degree that they could be swept away by doubt if they were forced to change their view on the matter.

This is what I find so puzzling. Why? Why, for some people, is a literal interpretation required for faith.

I think it comes down to a pessimistic assessment of human effort, a rejection of rationalism. Is is out of fear? Pejorative view of humanity (humanism)? Philosophical rejection and distrust of anything modern?

 

[Grip Docility]

This is what I find so puzzling. Why? Why, for some people, is a literal interpretation required for faith.

I think it comes down to a pessimistic assessment of human effort, a rejection of rationalism. Is is out of fear? Pejorative view of humanity (humanism)? Philosophical rejection and distrust of anything modern?

Why, indeed.

1 Corinthians 9:22

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Why, indeed.

1 Corinthians 9:22

Live and let live as long as no sin is involved.

 

[Grip Docility]

Live and let live as long as no sin is involved.

I will be sincere. I only concern myself if I can effectually assist in a matter per the Royal command. I believe scripture implores us to NEVER use any law found in Moses to judge ourselves or humanity. The Royal Law (Love your neighbor as yourself)... that is another matter. In a sense, most of the Western Justice System is founded on that Golden rule.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you, my Sibling in Jesus, Akita

 

[trophy33]

This is what I find so puzzling. Why? Why, for some people, is a literal interpretation required for faith.

Indoctrination, since childhood. Such people live mostly in a bubble of other fundamentalists and feed each other with the idea that literal Genesis, global flood and 6,000 years of the universe equal Christianity and faith.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

A record-low 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God, down from 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017, and half of what it was at its high points in 1980 and 1984.

Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of "fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man." This marks the first time significantly more Americans have viewed the Bible as not divinely inspired than as the literal word of God.

The largest percentage, 49%, choose the middle alternative, roughly in line with where it has been in previous years.

Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God

Coinciding with a general decline in religiosity in the U.S., a record-low 20% of Americans now say they believe the Bible is literally true.

news.gallup.com

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Ever since the Renaissance back in the 15th and 16th centuries the literal interpretation has been challenged. We have the divine between liberal and conservative. approaches to the Bible. I am more interested in Why we hold the views that we hold.

For me, I think it comes down to a different question, 'Does God act and work through human effort? That is to say science, geology, archeology, higher critical methods of scripture study, etc. I also think God would will a consistency or correlation between science discoveries and truth of history. In there words something like "imbedded age theory" would make no sense.

Of course the bring another question. What can be taken as literal and what is the criteria to decide?

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

In the last 38 years, I haven't usually interpreted the Genesis creation account in a "literal" way.

There were a couple of years in the early 1990s during which I seriously considered the synthetic interpretation Gary Parker and Henry M. Morris offer in their "Creation Science" reading of the creation account, but once my moonlighting moment with them was over, I easily enough took back my previous interpretive framework.

 

[trophy33]

A record-low 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God, down from 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017, and half of what it was at its high points in 1980 and 1984.

Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of "fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man." This marks the first time significantly more Americans have viewed the Bible as not divinely inspired than as the literal word of God.

The largest percentage, 49%, choose the middle alternative, roughly in line with where it has been in previous years.

Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God

Coinciding with a general decline in religiosity in the U.S., a record-low 20% of Americans now say they believe the Bible is literally true.

news.gallup.com

Thats a good result. Half of Americans have a balanced, non-extremist view and another 20% are at least Christians, even though with a wrong Bible view and probably also anti-scientific.

However, that would make 70% of Americans to be Christians, which is strange, regarding the crime rate, moral corruption and other problems. There is always some disconnect between the acceptance of Scriptures and a transformed life.

 

[Job 33:6]

Can we update the poll to say
1. It has an ancient near east contextual background. Or
2. It has a 21st century contextual background?
?

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Can we update the poll to say
1. It has an ancient near east contextual background. Or
2. It has a 21st century contextual background?
?

Wouldn't it have to have an ancient near east contextual background since that is when and where it was written?

 

[Job 33:6]

Wouldn't it have to have an ancient near east contextual background since that is when and where it was written?

Many people in the church dont believe so. They might say that the firmament is something like earths magnetic field or that the waters above are an ice dome at the edge of the universe.

 

[T.i.m.o.t.h.y.]

I chose literal because the other options are symbolic, figurative, and mythical. You didn't even put in the option of science evidence yet you discuss that as a means of interpretation.

I would guess that you assume that all Christians solely interpret the creation text by scripture alone.. that no Christian sees that human archeological discoveries help to explain the literal text.

When you ask a question but leave out all possible options, then the result of respondents is inaccurate.

 

[Platte]

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

Funny, I am rather amazing at how many don’t take the creation account literally

 

[trophy33]

I am rather amazed at how many people I talk with DO take the Genesis creation accounts literally.

And many of them do so because they did not even read the text properly, they just heard that they must believe it literally.

When you ask them about the flat earth, you can almost see the surprise on their faces, realizing that Genesis 1 is not just about days, but also about the firmament, primeval waters etc.

 

[Job 33:6]

Funny, I am rather amazing at how many don’t take the creation account literally

Do you believe in a solid sky dome firmament?

And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”
Genesis 1:6

The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth, The Lord is His name.
Amos‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NASB

the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,
Genesis 8:2

and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
Exodus 24:10

Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the dome of heaven.’
Job 22:14

can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
Job 37:18

13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? 14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
Job‬ ‭38:13‭-‬14

Praise him, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of Yahweh, because he commanded and they were created. And he put them in place *forever and ever*, by a decree he gave that will not pass away.
Psalms 148:4‭-‬6

It is he who sits above the *circle* of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;
Isaiah 40:22

Over the heads of the angels there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads.
Ezekiel 1:22

And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire stone; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form.
Ezekiel 1:26

He made strong the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Proverbs 8:28-‬29

Where were you at my laying the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding. Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know. Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
Job 38:4‭-‬6

The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking; I steady its columns. Selah
Psalms 75:3

For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And he hath set the world upon them.
1 Samuel 2:8

‬ ‭

 

[Platte]

Do you believe in a solid sky dome firmament?

And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”
Genesis 1:6

The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth, The Lord is His name.
Amos‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NASB

the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,
Genesis 8:2

and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.
Exodus 24:10

Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the dome of heaven.’
Job 22:14

can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
Job 37:18

13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? 14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment.
Job‬ ‭38:13‭-‬14

Praise him, highest heavens, and waters above the heavens. Let them praise the name of Yahweh, because he commanded and they were created. And he put them in place *forever and ever*, by a decree he gave that will not pass away.
Psalms 148:4‭-‬6

It is he who sits above the *circle* of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;
Isaiah 40:22

Over the heads of the angels there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads.
Ezekiel 1:22

And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire stone; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form.
Ezekiel 1:26

He made strong the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Proverbs 8:28-‬29

Where were you at my laying the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you possess understanding. Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know. Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
Job 38:4‭-‬6

The earth and all its inhabitants are shaking; I steady its columns. Selah
Psalms 75:3

For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, And he hath set the world upon them.
1 Samuel 2:8

‬ ‭

Sounds like clouds to me. I've never seen the word "dome" in the Bible before - nice touch.