A question for Christians who believe in theistic evolution?

Question

How do you, in particular, interpret the early chapters of Genesis?

Answer 1

I believe that the early books of the Bible are metaphors and poetic stories rather than technical, scientific shop manuals on how God put everything together.
The early books of the Bible also describe a very primitive, tribal existence common the world over at that point in our social, cultural and technological evolution.
Evolve or die.
Religion must also evolve or die. The world is no longer flat. If you believe it is flat, you will be ridiculed. They're going to laugh at you.

Answer 2

I'll readily admit that I am not certain by what you mean by the phrase "theistic evolution", but will take a shot anyway...

Two ways to view the first several chapters (actually much more, but I'll oversimplify a bit). Does each "day" refer to a specific 24 hour period, or does each "day" refer to a longer period of time? That is how I interpret your question.

I don't think there is a definitvely determinable answer that we can know.

First, until God creates the universe, there can be no measurement of time -> it requires the creation of the universe to exist first. If that's the case, then how can you measure how long it takes for time to be created?

Second, there is no way to prove that God did not create the earth with the geologic record already in the ground. Said differently, there is no way to prove that the universe did not start 5 seconds ago with merely memories of things that existed before 5 seconds ago.

With these two concepts muddying the water, I don't see this as a divisive wedge issue, but merely something interesting to discuss.

My preference, as more accomodating of the geologic record is that each day represents a longer period of time, realizing that Darwin's theory of evolution is not needed (nor proved, nor supported by any reliable evidence) for this to occur.

There is an excellent chapter(s) on this very topic in Norm Geisler and Pete Bocchino's book "Unshakeable Foundations". I highly recommend it.

Answer 3

With excited abandon!
Have you read where they have just discovered massive black holes exist in the center of every galaxy. The opening verses of Genesis match that so beautifully with the poetic image of a chaos monster w/ the Spirit of the Almighty hovering over it. The seven days of creation are a spendid interpretation of order being drawn out of the chaos. The Gilgamesh Epic from which much of Gen. 1 is drawn has more on the nature of the battle for creation. The understanding of light's primacy is magnificent and on a spectrum of radiation, light may be the only thing capable of escaping a black hole. While not as sophisticated as phyla, genus, family etc., the basic concept of natural differentation is splendid. Humanity as distinct - qualitatively, while of the same "stuff"/earth, is philosophically astounding for that era.
There is so much more, but essentially, transcendent poetry to which thousands of years of science is now adding the rhyme.

Answer 4

the subject is actual solved while one realizes the theology of the situations which adult adult males wrote the bible. The author with huge extra journey than ourselves ought to in straightforward terms tell the writers what they could understand. If one reads the previous testomony in a via date style you will actual see the evolution of theology. understand what guy now is conscious in comparison to what the amoeba comprehended and understand that humanity can certainly in all probability be an eternal temporal kind if humanity can pass previous this planet and if the universe is eternal. those are issues the writers of the bible had no theory of by any skill. They did the terrific they could despite the fact that. As Einstein nicely reported humanity would not even understand a million/one centesimal of a million% of what nature is attempting to let us know. basically because of the fact i won't understand the technology of resurrection or the soul would not preclude me from having wish in the two. Who could have imagined cloning or area holiday or most of the flaws we take with none attention at the instant. The bible is what this is. you will learn many truths from reading books. yet all theories must be examined or experienced for a individual to declare to himself or herself wow this is the fact. i believe the writers of the books interior the bible did an magnificent interest of passing down as much as they could to the destiny. i believe given 1000000000 years and an immortal techniques, all will understand extra. I even have questions additionally? Questions which may well be replied yet that i won't understand the respond. i'm a shown Catholic and a reformist while allowed. I get excitement from all help. i'm no longer the main gifted of intellects yet i'm obdurate. i desire to know the fact. thank you on your questions that for the period of straightforward terms God can answer, they take me back to the certainty i'm no longer God.

Answer 5

I don't understand why anyone would believe in theistic evolution. The only reason people believe in evolution is because it is the only explanation that they can come up with to explain where all the creatures on earth came from, without God. There is NO scientific evidence for evolution.

Certainly God could have created all life using the very process that evolutionists believe, and then lie to us, but that is unlikely. If you believe in God, you really can't believe in evolution. If you don't believe in God, its your guess.

Answer 6

Everything in existence is made from energy bits that
have two stages: particle and quantum.
Energy forms come from a quantum zone and
eventually collapse back to this sea of tranquility.

Any genesis signifies a beginning. However, that
beginning is just a point in a cycle.

Answer 7

Metaphorically through the historical context in which it was written. The creation story and other prominent stories of faith in the book of Genesis, like the story of Noah's Ark, were Jewish stories of faith that were written to contradict the pagan story, Epic of Gilgamesh, which was being forced upon the Jewish people after the Babylonians captured them in 575 BC. This fact is historically contained within scripture itself in 1st and 2nd Kings. It wasn't written to be taken literally, but rather applied to each believer in the one true God of Israel -- Yahweh. If you read carefully chapters 1 & 2, you will see 2 variations of the same story of creation. That is because there were various takes (strands they called it seminary) from different theological camps within the Jewish community of priests. I could go on but I think you get the jest of it. The primary point of Genesis (like most of the Bible) was to give oppressed people hope that God would deliver them from bondage (slavery & sin) and that there is one God, not multiple pagan gods. In that historical context, which aligns with the biblical context of 1st and 2nd Kings, the literalist creation camp has no sciptural basis. Given that there is biblical basis for creationism from a literal perspective, being a evolutionist theist does not conflict with my belief in Jesus -- our hope realized.

Answer 8

as was written asshole. hear think about this what the hell would change if there was fault in the bible. do you actually think it would matter. all the people are sheep in this country and i could **** on parchment and make a new religion. and people would follow me. i would even get my on tv show. so really who gives a ****. OK OK i'll say it there's no God ! feel better. good ,,good now shut up and bake me a pie.