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In fact, the further back we go in history as portrayed in the Bible, the more we must take into account the non-literal nature.It goes also for Genesis 1. Problem solved. Sorry, too easy?
As someone who does not take Genesis 1 or 2 literally I can tell you why.
The author of the text was not alive at the time of creation. We would have to infer that God revealed that narrative much much later. That is not so hard to believe.
In fact, the further back we go in history as portrayed in the Bible, the more we must take into account the non-literal nature.
For those who insist upon literal genesis. When do you believe it was written and by whom?
A rational view of both scripture and contemporary science compels us to LOOK DEEPER.
Must we anticipate that he will operate irrationally?But will this lead to a fruitful pursuit, given that He can reverse the shadow on the stairs and turn water into vintage wine with age in an instant. Must we demand He operates within our sacrosanct 'rationality' ???
Certainly God can do things that transcend our limited rational capacity. But I do not think that He deceives those who study natural sciences into thinking the earth is much older than it actually is.
Because you take Scripture literally - or at least, most of it - you probably won't agree with this; but I read in a commentary once that, for the Jews, 40 days was an expression meaning "an undetermined length of time."By Moses, during the time of Exodus, when he was on mount Sinia, dont forget he was gone a while, 40 days in all.
No idea.This certainly makes me laugh when they say the earth is millions of years old, where do they get their figures from ?
so why read that into it?
It's still reading into Scripture and seeing something that isn't there.By reading 'The Legend of the Jews' by Louis Ginzberg.
It's still reading into Scripture and seeing something that isn't there.
Yes, thank you. The answers to such questions are there for those willing to look.No idea.
But I imagine the scientists who study such things, know exactly where they get their figures, and data, from.
Language is inherently symbolic. Including every letter of this reply and every line of code that comprises this website. As language is symbolic, we should strive to interpret how it is intended to be understood.4. It's foolishness to take the word of God symbolically because it undermines the authority of God and the very center of the Christian faith. The very center of the Christian faith is the words that Jesus said and his commandments and when we take his words symbolically we twist the very words that Jesus spoke and the Apostles thought were very important and recorded down.
Billions, not millions.This certainly makes me laugh when they say the earth is millions of years old, where do they get their figures from ?
Billions, not millions.
I suppose you are able to google "how do we know the age of the earth", so its rather about your disbelief than not knowing and therefore your question is rhetorical.
No.True I don't know, but scripture tells me different.
A day for God is a thousand years for us.
LIKE. "As" and "like" are similes.But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
I left Catholicism for awhile to go to the LCMS church which takes Genesis as literally true. I couldn’t stay there and returned to the RCC because the LCMS doesn‘t accept evolution and they believe the universe is 6000 years old. I agree with your comment that God gave us brains to try to figure things out.As someone who does not take Genesis 1 or 2 literally I can tell you why.
The author of the text was not alive at the time of creation. We would have to infer that God revealed that narrative much much later. That is not so hard to believe. But we must also consider the fact that almost all cultures around the world have their won creation accounts. And, they all sound at odds with our current understanding of the universe. For example, the six day creation some six thousand years ago. A rational view of both scripture and contemporary science compels us to LOOK DEEPER. This takes us to the important realm of Hermeneutics, the study of the general principles of biblical interpretation. Hermeneutics | Definition, History, Principles, Examples, & Types
God gave us brains to observe and try to figure things out. We have come a long way. We do not know everything, of course. We are still learning. It is indeed possible that Genesis 1 is literal historical truth but it is not likely. That in no way undermines it's importance, meaning and impact. It invites us to look at it from other angles, other dimensions of and to not be satisfied our current interpretation , whether literal or allegorical or anagogical. It is always best to keep an open mind, continue to reflect and dwell with scripture. That means starting with the narrative AS IF it is literally historically true. Then, pondering themes, characters, dynamics, who wrote it and under what circumstances and motives. Then the important question: What is God saying and doing through all this. What is the real revelation to us about God and ourselves.
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