Another Controversial Topic

[shiner]

Evolution v. Creationism, Scientific Discoveries, and Interpreting the Bible

 

There are many strong Christians in the world who somehow feel threatened by the theory of evolution, scientific approaches regarding the beginning and age of the universe, and science in general. In an effort to bridge the gap between science and religion, many are advocating the figurative interpration of the bible as opposed to the factual, literal interpretation (which was the only approach prior to the beginning of the 20th century). While this is a theory it still does not solve the problem of the extent to which science and religion interact (if they interact at all). However, with an increase in scientific discoveries (some of which will touch controversial religious issues), more people (including scholars) will adopt the view of figurative interpretation of the bible, especially pertaining to taboo issues such as the age of the universe, size of universe, etc. This will put many at ease and will allow people to comfortably be religious, while holding modern, up to date beliefs. Many discoveries are to hard to ignore and deny, regardless of how much they contradict the bible.

 

For the sake of argument let's assume the bible is meant to be interpreted figuratively (to whatever extent). Why would it be so? Why would God decide to be so roundabout as opposed to being direct? One main theory is that God wants humans to follow Him based upon their faith. Thus by this theory, if everything was extremely straightforward, there would be no place for faith (the existence of God would be as much of a fact as the existence of a historical figure such as George Washington). Any other ideas?

 

I realize this is a controversial topic. I don't wish to start a bloody debate. Keep your answers in the third person point of view if you please. It is just something to think about, but it is not worth getting personal, as we are not going to be able to come up with factual answers anyway (just theories).

[Kazza]

Lots to say later. Me and my big gob!

[MJ]

BTac,

In general, the Christian Church claims that there is no contradiction between the Evolution Theory and the Bible. I am aware of only some Christian Fundamentalists claiming the opposite – in particular those in Kansas.

Before one can make a decision on the way the Bible has to be interpreted – literally or figuratively, it is important to understand the sources of the Bible.

It is customary to claim that the writing of the Bible is directly inspired by God. OK. Let’s accept it. But then, we know that there are many more scriptures written by other Biblical personages, among them Apostles, and by many Disciples of Apostles, which are not a part of the canonical Old and New Testaments. The canonization of different scriptures in the Book is attributed to the Nickean Council, and the subsequent Councils, and these decisions are made on the basis of authoritarianism. Check, for example, our own “Theology” category for appropriate materials and references.

 

Whether all of these scriptures should have been part of the Bible, or whether everything that had to be a part of it is included in the Bible is a subject of an ongoing dispute up to our days. And the thing is, that there are a lot of contradictions between different scriptures, and the image of Jesus Christ himself is different in different scriptures. As a result, it would be really hard to even make that judgment call as what has to be interpreted literally or figuratively, and how.

[MJ]

P.S. Even when interpreting the Bible "literally," different people interpret it differently. That's what gives rise to many sects even within one Denomination.

 

Many years ago, when I used to reside in Glendale, you could get a knock at the door, and before you could figure out who was at the door, representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses would be sitting on your sofa. They would start preaching, with the purpose of the salvation of your soul, and your conversion, and would claim that, in fact, they are not saying anything other than what the Bible says. And each time they would make an assertion, they would open the Bible and say, "See it is written here." And they would claim that nobody else but them follows the Bible to its fullest extend.

 

Later I had acquaintances with a Christian Fundamentalist Sect of Baptist orientation. They would say absolutely the same thing - they say and do everything that the Bible teaches us. And would claim that nobody else does it. They were good people, but with a very narrow exposure to the world. I guess that's why they are called "sect."

 

Later, while residing in West LA, not too far from the LA Mormon Center (don't remember the exact name), I used to get knocks at my door from young Mormon ministers, who would also wind up on my sofa before I could figure out who was knocking the door. And they would claim that they are saying absolutely everything that the Bible says, and they mean it. Only, instead of one testament (the New Testament), they offer two - the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. If you are given a choice of one testament or two, and they don't contradict each other, which one would you choose, they would ask?

 

Failing to convert me, they passed the torch to a higher level Minister, who started to visit my residence, and preach. I told him I have great academic interest in the Book of Mormon, but have no intentions to convert. He said, "That's OK. As long as you want to learn about our teachings, and as soon as you would find out that what we preach is exactly what is consistent or coincides with the teachings of the Bible, you would ask us to be converted." In a while, I started to receive visits from an even higher-level Minister. Once he asked me if I was ready to convert. I figured out that there is not going to be an end to these efforts. So I asked him: "Is it true that Mormon men are allowed to have multiple wives?" He said: "O, no... It used to be the case historically. But we don't practice it in our days. Besides, it could've been done only at very high levels." I replied: “Then what's the point to convert?” This was our last meeting.

 

To summarize, all of them say they interpret the Bible literally, and others don't. Otherwise it would be hard to explain why yet another Church, if the Good Lord has established just one?

 

[ March 24, 2001: Message edited by: MJ ]

[shiner]

It would be interesting to ask those groups mentioned whether they believe in the actual existence of Adam and Eve and nothing else, the age of the universe being only a few thousand years, God having created the world in 7 days, etc. If their answers to these questions are a definite yes, I do think that any discovery directly contradicts their beliefs. In other words it would be impossible for them to believe in both (scientific theories and what the bible says) when it comes to those issues.

[MJ]

As a matter of fact, they claim that one day for God amounts to thousands of human years, which addresses, in their view, the issue of the age of the universe and the human life.

[Pilafhead]

Here's a site trying to bring science and creationism in line with one another:

http://www.creationscience.com/

 

And here's a long discussion on this topic that I somewhat participated in (early on in the listings):

http://www.casact.org/students/forums/nonc...TML/000871.html

 

[ March 26, 2001: Message edited by: Aghmug ]

[shiner]

Good sites, Mike! Thanks!