What are your thoughts on Genesis?

Question

I just read Genesis, chapters 1 up to 5. And Its beautiful, each versicle seemed to give something deep to think about. Truthfully, it spoke to my heart as the Bible so often does! Still, i must confess, one of the things the book was saying to me was: "interpret me please! I might have names of real places and stuff but i'm not literal! There's much much more knolowdge you can get for me if you look deeper"

So what are your thoughts? Great book? My english sucks?

Answer 1

To "create" means to put and keep something in existence. God is Creator because He puts and sustains everything in existence. He is the maker and final goal of everything that exists, all things visible and invisible.

The truth of creation means that God's loving creativity builds into each of us a meaning, purpose and destiny which nothing can take away from us.

Does the Genesis account of creation contradict the scientific theory of evolution? No. In affirming that God is the ultimate cause of all that exists, Genesis gives its ultimate meaning and purpose - "Why" the world exists. It does not explain "how" the physical world came to be in its present condition, which the theory of evolution tries to explain.

The Catholic Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. However, it says that, if they did develop, then they did so under the impetus and guidance of God, and their ultimate creation must be ascribed to him.

Concerning human evolution, the Church has a more definite teaching. It allows for the possibility that man's body developed from previous biological forms, under God's guidance, but it insists on the special creation of his soul.

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 2

So you are saying that even though the Scriptures talk about the Garden of Eden, for instance. (Genesis 2:8 among others)

Then we learn something more about the geography and also what is there..........

"Now there was a river issuing out of E′den to water the garden, and from there it began to be parted and it became, as it were, four heads. 11 The first one’s name is Pi′shon; it is the one encircling the entire land of Hav′i·lah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. There also are the bdellium gum and the onyx stone. 13 And the name of the second river is Gi′hon; it is the one encircling the entire land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is Hid′de·kel; it is the one going to the east of As·syr′i·a. And the fourth river is the Eu·phra′tes." -Genesis 2:10-14

So, four rivers watered this giant garden and different resources are named including Gold, but you are thinking that this is not to be understood as a literal place?

Really kudos on reading 5 chapters...truly this is a good achievement any way you look at it.

Might you be in college or something? I know that the higher education of this land isn't too friendly when it comes to the study of religion, especially the Bible. Higher criticism seems to the the thinking of the day.

To build faith that the Bible is actually God's Word you need to study Prophecy. Ones that have come true and with outstanding detail.

help you with that if you email me. :-)

Answer 3

heres my thoughts:

Creation: the progress, if you detach each "step" from a timeline, (did you know the word translated commonly as "day" only *actually* means "period of time") then the whole creation story STILL follows the gross path of things between a big bang, formation of planets, landmasses, and evolution of species through the most dramatic levels of development up to humanity. taking it moderately it complately agrees with science as we know it. it doesn't define the *how* its created, only that it was.

Tree of knowlege:
the tree itself was nothing special. the issue was in man realizing and utilizing their free will... grasping it. like a little toddler realizing the word no. an act that allows the "template man" to actualize the fact that they are capable of defiance. and that itself, be the awareness of the distinction between good and evil.

the serpent:
this was under god's will. not an EVIL influence. to help along the initializing of the free will. remember if you look at it right the serpent did not lie. the way it was portrayed, was as though the tree was poisoned. and they would die on the spot. ... they did not.
and he said they would become as gods, knowing the distinction between good and evil. ... they did. compared to animals they then had the capacity to willfully chose their actions, and KNEW they could chose.

Cain and Abel:
A) the sacrifices. many people severely misinteperet this to there being an importance of the blood. its not. the importance is the INTENT. Cain's intent was to one-up his brother. this is where he went wrong.
B) the murder. similar to the tree... this is an explorative thing. someone has to be first, and someone has to get the extreme "this is not tolerable" punishment.
C) Cain's wife. this is the first big, obvious loophole in the bible. its bizzare how many people ignore this so drastically. IMO its merely the first signal that "this is not meant 100% literally"

thats how I see it anyway.

Answer 4

It is a great book. Our Junior Church section spent 7 weeks learning about the creation. One week for each day.

Every time I read te Bible, I find more in it than I did the time before.

Answer 5

Your English is fine. The whole Bible is beautifully inspired by God and to read it, it helps to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you because He's the one who opens our spiritual eyes to see and our ears to hear and our hearts to understand. Before reading, say a prayer for guidance.

Answer 6

I think your instinct is right on. I believe it is a literal story, but the deeper and signifigant meaning behind the story is there for anyone who truly seeks the truth and God's face.

Answer 7

I love Genesis too. The Bible does not tell the whole story. God wants us to seek Him. I love His Word. God communicates with me. : )

Answer 8

Rather than your question i would like to address your statement.
You can have all the knowledge in the world but when it come to God. His wisdom is acquired by Faith
May you have good luck in your quest

Answer 9

It is a great book. It tells of the beginning of history.
Your English is good.

Answer 10

Yeah, it's cool. That is also the begining of the Torah.

Your English is just fine.