Creation vs. Evolution

[Uncle Pug]

Or...it was just made up and has no basis in reality.

Well... it does have a basis in reality... there really was an animal like that.

Perhaps the writer was prescient... or just made a lucky guess.

 

[Soggy]

Well... it does have a basis in reality... there really was an animal like that.

Perhaps, but it sure wasn't a dinosaur if someone wrote about it after seeing it.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Perhaps, but it sure wasn't a dinosaur if someone wrote about it after seeing it.

That would be problematic, wouldn't it?

There are other interesting tid bits in the Bible that predate modern *discoveries*.

For instance, the notion that matter is not composed of fundamental and indestructible particles called atoms (Democritus ~ 500 BC) or the four elements, fire, water, earth and air... but that visible matter is actually made of something invisible. Further, matter is held together but when unloosed would cause an explosive force in the atmosphere and set the earth on fire.

But the Hebrews weren't interested in describing nature with precision... they were interested in worshipping God the Creator of nature. The significance was placed on God and not the creation itself.

 

[H2Andy]

But the Hebrews weren't interested in describing nature with precision... they were interested in worshipping God the Creator of nature. The significance was placed on God and not the creation itself.

exactly, which is why taking the Bible as a guide for the creation of the world or anything remotely testable under the scientific method is a waste of time.

and when the Bible says "six days," that just means in a set amount of time. who knows how long it really took.

or is the Bible describing nature with precission in Genesis, Pug?

That would be problematic, wouldn't it?

There are other interesting tid bits in the Bible that predate modern *discoveries*.

and here, Pug, are you saying that God "inspired" the writer to describe an animal he had never seen, a long-ago extinct dinosaur, which the author saw in a revelation and wrote about under God's inspiration?

i suppose if you can believe in God, that's a possibility

 

[Uncle Pug]

is the Bible describing nature with precission in Genesis, Pug?

The creation account in Genesis, in typical Hebrew fashion (tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them) is given first as a summary statement followed by a more detail accounting and finally by what the writer considered to be the focal point... the special position of mankind in the plan of God.

The intent was not scientific precision but rather special revelation. It is obvious that there is a creator so it is simply stated. The nature of creation needed further clarification so it is developed. However the nature of mankind's special and personal relationship to God needed extra attention and our story begins.

In fact, the whole of the Bible is really just an amplification on that last proposition: our special relationship to and with God the creator.

Hope this helps.

 

[H2Andy]

do you believe the Bible states that God created the world in six days, meaning six periods of 24 hours each?

ok... the question i'm trying to ask is "is each day of the creation story a 24-hour earth day?"

(in your view, of course)

 

[Rick Murchison]

... The intent was not scientific precision but rather special revelation. ...

Indeed.
"Spiritual things are spiritually discerned."
If one denies their own spirituality there is little point in discussing the Bible and its message with one who accepts that spirituality, for understanding the Bible as a spiritual message requires spiritual reception.
It is the great divide... Athiests believe I am in denial for believing in some "spiritual" world that cannot be empirically demonstrated; I believe they are in denial for not listening to the spirit I know is in them.

Rick

 

[H2Andy]

I believe they are in denial for not listening to the spirit I know is in them.

oh, I do listen to my spirit ... it just tells me different things that it tells you

it tells me to seek the truth, and the truth shall set me free

i did and it did

awesome, ain't it?

 

[Cacia]

I just cannot beleive you Christians stood by and watched Thall and Lamont and Soggy pistol whip the poor Aussie.
My goodness, I am used to it being the other way around. What, is the science crowd the *new* zealots?

Kinda harsh. (smiley face)

You must realize if you don't let guys like that into the debate, it will just be you guys in here slapping each other on the back.

 

[H2Andy]

oh no... there's strong emotions on both sides of the divide

when it flares up, it can bring out some anger

this has been a tremendously civil thread, but i did notice some heat as of late