Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - The ASK LEBELL Thread: Philosophy and Religion

Lebell · 06-30-2004, 05:40 PM

Dear Moobie,

Your question has been asked many times, so no, it's not childish.

Basically, there are two literalist answers and one liberal answer.

Literalist answer #1:

The evidence of dinosaurs is a red herring put in the ground by God to test your faith. Since God is all powerful and all knowing, this is a simple task to do. Ditto with all the evidence that says the Earth is really really old.

Literalist Answer #2:

The Bible specifically mentions "leviathans" which obviously mean the dinosaurs, and these creatures died out a very long time ago. Also, there is evidence that humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs, so nothing is against what the Bible says.

Liberal Answer #1:

The Bible is not meant to be a literal history, but a story about how humans relate to and understand God. This is done through stories that hold truth, not in the literal sense, but in the metaphorical sense.

For example, the story of Adam and Eve is not a literal story, but is about how we are the dearest creations of God, created from the basic elements.

-----------------------------------------

LitA#1 has fallen out of favor among most literalists, but it still has it's fierce supporters, while most literalists have gravitated to LitA#2.

Of course, there are significant problems with LitA#2, especially since it calls for "interpretations" of the Bible that I would argue get away from the whole idea of a "literalist" interpretation.

For example, LitA#2 supporters usually say that while the Bible does say the world was created in 6 days, this does not go against scientific evidence for an older earth because God's "day" may not have 24 hours and may indeed be much longer.

As for myself, I am an adherent of LibA#1, so your question becomes a moot one as far as my theology is concerned.

06-30-2004, 05:40 PM	#65 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Dear Moobie, Your question has been asked many times, so no, it's not childish. Basically, there are two literalist answers and one liberal answer. Literalist answer #1: The evidence of dinosaurs is a red herring put in the ground by God to test your faith. Since God is all powerful and all knowing, this is a simple task to do. Ditto with all the evidence that says the Earth is really really old. Literalist Answer #2: The Bible specifically mentions "leviathans" which obviously mean the dinosaurs, and these creatures died out a very long time ago. Also, there is evidence that humans lived at the same time as dinosaurs, so nothing is against what the Bible says. Liberal Answer #1: The Bible is not meant to be a literal history, but a story about how humans relate to and understand God. This is done through stories that hold truth, not in the literal sense, but in the metaphorical sense. For example, the story of Adam and Eve is not a literal story, but is about how we are the dearest creations of God, created from the basic elements. ----------------------------------------- LitA#1 has fallen out of favor among most literalists, but it still has it's fierce supporters, while most literalists have gravitated to LitA#2. Of course, there are significant problems with LitA#2, especially since it calls for "interpretations" of the Bible that I would argue get away from the whole idea of a "literalist" interpretation. For example, LitA#2 supporters usually say that while the Bible does say the world was created in 6 days, this does not go against scientific evidence for an older earth because God's "day" may not have 24 hours and may indeed be much longer. As for myself, I am an adherent of LibA#1, so your question becomes a moot one as far as my theology is concerned. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!