Evolution...not really political, maybe controversial

[HersheyWalker]

I just wanted to add this.

I find little, either Scripturally or scientifically, that indicates the earth is a mere 6,000-10,000 year old.

If you add up the ages of the people listed in the geneologies in the Bible from Adam to Jesus you are left with 4,500 years or so. Add the 2,000 since that time and you are left with 6,500 or so. How can you disregard this?

Unfortunately some have tried to turn this into a Salvation requirement, which it clearly is not. And in the grand scheme of things, as far as Christianity is concerned, doesn't matter one bit.

This is not a salvation requirement, but it gives power to those who are saved. The world tells us that the Bible is a fairytale which preys on the weak minded. We are bombarded everyday with the notion that we have been living in a world who's inner workings are death and destruction, ie. evolution. We are told that everything that God wrote in the Bible as fact is wrong. It's the biggest slap in the face of the Christian, who despite all of the propoganda has had a spiritual encounter with Jesus and believes. Yes, a person can come to salvation without having to understand and accept the historical record recorded in the Bible, thank God for that. But when living in this modern world as a Christian, we shrink and feel embarrassed that we have experienced a real emotional/spiritual thing in Jesus Christ because of what that entails. "Omg, you believe the Bible? But it's just a book of stories written by drunk shepards". We never share our beliefs with our neighbors, we never read in the Old Testament, we never put up our flag and stand for our beliefs.

"In the grand scheme of things", it makes all the difference in the world. This is coming from a person who use to be embarrassed that he prayed to Jesus.

We as Christians have absolutely no reason to live like this. We have every right to stand strong in our beliefs and stand strong in knowing that God has spoken in our hearts and in the Bible. Understanding that the Bible is on point from cover to cover is such a critical point in owning your faith. If we don't take literally that with Adam's fall sin came into the world, and with sin death also came into the world. Then we can't understand why Jesus had to die as a undeservant sacrifice. And this ties to evolution because evolution tells us that death and destruction has fueled the process that brought us into being. The Bible tells us the exact opposite, that we were brought into being and sin/death followed. If we can't believe that, then why believe any of it? Why believe that Jesus rose from the dead? If there is a single lie in a book which claims to be the written voice of God, then we are fools. If evolution is true, then the Bible is full of lies and more to the point, there's no reason Jesus had die. Nothing in the Bible makes sense unless you accept a literal reading of Genisis. It lays the foundation for everything that follows.

[Hugh Jorgan]

God is going to be really pissed when she finds out you are hell bent on short changing her for billions of years of dedicated work.

[rsanz]

Snip <Nothing in the Bible makes sense unless you accept a literal reading of Genisis. It lays the foundation for everything that follows.

So unless you believe in the 6x 24hr day creation story then nothing in the bible makes sense? I'm sure many people who find sense in the bible who disagree with the literal 6 day creation story would disagree with you there.

Keep 'em coming though. This stuff is priceless.

[Shagaroo]

I just wanted to add this.
If you add up the ages of the people listed in the geneologies in the Bible from Adam to Jesus you are left with 4,500 years or so. Add the 2,000 since that time and you are left with 6,500 or so. How can you disregard this?

I'm not diregarding this. I even stated so in my earlier post. I simply think there is valid evidence in one of the various Gap Theories. God could still have created the earth as we know it in 6 days, even if the earth existed in previous forms prior to the Creation story in Genesis. It does not change the diety of God one bit to see the Creation happening slightly different.

I'm on your side bubba. I just see Creation happening a little different.

[stjohnroe]

I think that I expressed my opinion on this matter in the past: http://www.cigarsmokers.com/showpost...2&postcount=13.

BTW, Richard Dawkins is also a good read

[Kenyth]

The Bible is a history book and a guide for christian life and religious practice, not a science manual. It was written, compiled, and translated by many human hands throughout history. The science and record keeping we have available now simply wasn't there back then (obviously), and the general population was lucky to be literate, much less educated. Much of it was originally written for simple people with simple language and using simple tools. The fact that it doesn't match up with modern scientific examination doesn't change the message or the spirit of what is in there. There are many lessons to be taken from its pages without worrying about whether every story actually occurred the way it was written.

[CoventryCat86]

The Bible is a history book and a guide for christian life and religious practice, not a science manual. It was written, compiled, and translated by many human hands throughout history. The science and record keeping we have available now simply wasn't there back then (obviously), and the general population was lucky to be literate, much less educated. Much of it was originally written for simple people with simple language and using simple tools. The fact that it doesn't match up with modern scientific examination doesn't change the message or the spirit of what is in there. There are many lessons to be taken from its pages without worrying about whether every story actually occurred the way it was written.

Thank you Kenyth! I don't know if I've ever seen a better short summary of the Bible that is as well written as this.

[nhcigarfan]

I agree, Nice work Kenyth.

[Kenyth]

Thank you! You're welcome!

[SmokinDVM]

The Bible is a history book and a guide for christian life and religious practice, not a science manual. It was written, compiled, and translated by many human hands throughout history. The science and record keeping we have available now simply wasn't there back then (obviously), and the general population was lucky to be literate, much less educated. Much of it was originally written for simple people with simple language and using simple tools. The fact that it doesn't match up with modern scientific examination doesn't change the message or the spirit of what is in there. There are many lessons to be taken from its pages without worrying about whether every story actually occurred the way it was written.

So we can conclude from your post that the bible is an inaccurate writing at best, and a total pile of bs is not out of the running.
When the religious zealots, and their ignorant followers, stop attacking proven scientific principles of which they have no real understanding, and stop holding up their particular form of religion and magic as a scientific irrefutable fact, I'll quit calling them on their bullshit.

[CoventryCat86]

So we can conclude from your post that the bible is an inaccurate writing at best, and a total pile of bs is not out of the running.
When the religious zealots, and their ignorant followers, stop attacking proven scientific principles of which they have no real understanding, and stop holding up their particular form of religion and magic as a scientific irrefutable fact, I'll quit calling them on their bullshit.

I'm with Barry on this one.

[Kenyth]

So we can conclude from your post that the bible is an inaccurate writing at best, and a total pile of bs is not out of the running.
When the religious zealots, and their ignorant followers, stop attacking proven scientific principles of which they have no real understanding, and stop holding up their particular form of religion and magic as a scientific irrefutable fact, I'll quit calling them on their bullshit.

How you see the Bilble is totally a matter of personal choice and faith. According to the Bible, God works completely outside the rules and boundaries of our known universe. That makes it impossible to prove or disprove. That also makes it a complete matter of faith.

I do agree that religion should stay away from science and research. To try and go against scientific fact and theory that has been held up by the research of innumerable great minds throughout history is a sure way to make yourself look foolish.

The Bible has it's value as a spiritual guide. That's just not something you seem to place value on. If you don't believe, then you don't believe.

[SmokinDVM]

How you see the Bilble is totally a matter of personal choice and faith. According to the Bible, God works completely outside the rules and boundaries of our known universe. That makes it impossible to prove or disprove. That also makes it a complete matter of faith.

I do agree that religion should stay away from science and research. To try and go against scientific fact and theory that has been held up by the research of innumerable great minds throughout history is a sure way to make yourself look foolish.

The Bible has it's value as a spiritual guide. That's just not something you seem to place value on. If you don't believe, then you don't believe.