The Bible does NOT claim that it is a science book. What it does tell us is; God's plan of redemption, how He has interacted with humanity and Christian living. Nothing more.
A basic rule of interpreting any text, is to do so in light of what the text claims of itself.
When Christ began His ministry He preached first "repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matt. 4:17, this is supported by Mark 1:15. Not one single solitary mention of the dynamics of creation, biology, chemistry, mathematics, or any other modern science.
Friends, "The Bible tells us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go." Galileo. "The universe has been wrought for us by a supremely good and orderly Creator," Copernicus. "The Spirit of God who spoke through [the Biblical writers] did not choose to teach about the heavens to men, as it was of no use for salvation," Augustine.
I enjoy Clive Cussler's adventure novels, but I wouldn't grab one if I wanted a recipe for apple pie, I'd get a cookbook.
2007-11-23 15:14:46 · 14 answers · asked by HAND 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are 100% right on with this. The first rule of exegesis is that a text cannot mean what it never meant to the writer and the first readers.
God gave to us a love letter that details how we can have a relationship with him. That is what is important, the rest is just details.
2007-11-23 16:04:10 · answer #1 · answered by δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because the bible repeatedly mentions subjects that deal with nature and science delves deep into that subject.
For example, Jonah was swallowed by a giant fish, stayed in it's belly for three days and the fish vomited him up on a shoreline and he's still alive. This can be scrutinized by a science called ichthyology. There are many other examples.
Also, people believe, through the Bible's teachings, that God can manipulate matter on Earth....you know, heal the sick and show his wrath by delivering powerful storms to punish people. These can be scrutinized by medical science and meteorology respectively.
2007-11-23 15:36:42 · answer #2 · answered by Starstuff58 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've always wondered that myself. So many people look at Christianity and want solid proof. The proof is there if you truly open your heart to the spiritual realities of who Christ is. God is not going to come down with a loud PA system and announce that He exists. He gave us that already through His Word. You will never find God if you look with your brain without involving your heart. Both must be present.
2007-11-23 15:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's in people's nature to try to understand things that are not easily comprehensible.
In today's 'MTV' generation, if it can't be fully explained in a 30 second sound byte, then it does not compute or it is taken out of context.
To understand the Word, it takes work.
2007-11-23 15:49:11 · answer #4 · answered by asgodintended 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since it is PERFECT and the rulebook on life, yes it absolutely needs to be interpretted like it was a science book.
Hence, why we know it fails as both of them. I do especially love the people who claim the book says the world is round because the church were the ones who claimed it was flat for so long.
2007-11-23 15:25:54 · answer #5 · answered by meissen97 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good question. I asked this too. I wonder why people don't spend time analyzing Mother Grimm's tales, since a lot of people base their morality on those stories.
2007-11-24 04:48:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They must believe in something and refuse to believe in God so they cling to anything that has the appearance of successfully contradicting the Bible or showing it to be incorrect, to justify their foolishness. But if you demonstrate to them the Bible is not incorrect scientifically they really get angry and ridicule you. Just let them be. It'll all be revealed to them, though most will probably die in their rebellion, unfortunately.
2007-11-23 15:27:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To borrow a line from Indiana Jones. He deals in facts. If you want truth, philosophy class is down the hall. I think the Bible does a pretty good job of delivering a metaphorical or mythological version of the science.
2007-11-23 15:20:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Actually the bible does claim to tell us the shape of the universe and how life came about. And it is all wrong. You conveniently did not quote from the Old Testament.
and if the Old Testament is shown to be nothing but myth, how are we to believe the New Testament.
2007-11-23 15:22:36 · answer #9 · answered by October 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
People only try to use science to prove the Bible wrong, so that it will fit into what they say is true. I like what you said. And I agree with it. I also like your analogies.
2007-11-23 15:22:56 · answer #10 · answered by jenx 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋