I have never denied that there is a creator God. I had stated that the the creation stories are a myth, but that does not mean that I don't believe God is the creator. It simply means that I think the creation stories are myths.
FB, This post is double-talk. "there is a creator God" vs. "I think the creation stories are myths." Since you believe the beginnings of this earth is a MYTH, then why am I seeing and experiencing the reality of IT. Something from nothing----does not just spontaneously appear.
Your "symbolism" would have to include "GOD" as HE is a vital part of the creative event. Therefore,For what is GOD a symbol?? What would be the purpose of "symbolism" to a person who was just created?? And what would that "person" by a symbol concerning???
No! Not myth, but reality. GOD "spoke and it stood fast". Instantly! Not billions+ years.
BTW, searching the wiki-links concerning this "creation myth" shows vividly that it is a man imputed information site.( not to say there isn't some truth in some articles) Even, Today the "debate" rages as to the wording. While by their rules, the imput is supposed to be "neutral", the "editors" opinions(POV) are biased---plain and simple.
Therefore, the academic definition of "myth" is "symbolic narrative". Which means a narrative not based on "reality". That translates to being "false"/"a lie". Or being "politically correct" in today's jargon/"spinning of issues".
Therefore, back to that serpent in the Garden, is it wise to believe that which is contrary to GOD'S revealed information, OR that "uttered by the serpent"??(Man made traditions, decrees made in the councils of men, etc.?)
There is no evidence Moses wrote these stories. In fact, it is pretty much impossible for Moses to have written the Torah, as he would have had to record his own death and a few events thereafter. More so, Moses never claims to have written the entire Torah. So there is really no reason to assume that Moses wrote this stuff, especially when he was only accredited the writing at a later date.
Ex.24:3-4, "And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel."
Believe the Scriptures or the serpent.
As for Genesis 1-2 being straight forward, not at all. If they were so straightforward, there wouldn't be so much debate as to what they actually mean. And this debate has been going on for millennia. Even among those who accept them as historical records, there is debate as to what they actually mean. That wouldn't be true if they were straight forward.
Eat of it and die----GOD'S warning. "Ye shall not surely die"---the serpents lie.
Believe GOD or serpent.
Also, why are there two creation stories if God told Moses what happened? Did God tell Moses two different versions?
There is not two versions.
Those genealogies, if you really study them, are impossible. No one lives that long. It simply does not happen. And if you know a little bit about Middle Eastern practices (or previous practices that they had), they were not really concerned with how long people actually lived. It was more guess work as age really wasn't a big concern. This remained true even into modern times.
FB, Is anything "impossible with GOD"?? Wasn't the "tree of life in the garden"?? Wasn't tey barred from that tree to prevent them from living "forever".(Which was God's plan in the creation of all things.)
I rely on more up to date work. This view has been held for quite some time, and for good reason. We see doublets in the Torah, or stories that are repeated. A single author would not do that. They would not tell one story, and then retell it again differently. So there must be a reason....
To rely on "more up to date work" is to doubt GOD and trust man.
This simply is seeing what you want in the story. It has nothing to do with Christ. It has nothing to do with Satan. Neither are mentioned or suggested in the story. You are reading what you want into the story, while ignoring what the story actually says. That simply is not a sound method of interpreting scripture.
FB, the beginning of the narrative of the man's History from his creation by GOD to the end of the narrative in Revelation(and it is a continuing/ongoing/unfolding history of each inividual's life and the rewards each will receive.) is, as Paul writes in 1Cor.10:6, 11, "
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted...Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
Also, Rom.15:4, "
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. "
FB, it is your perogative to rely on the opinions of false "modern scholars"; Or the truths revealed in the inspired scriptures.
2Thess.2:3-4 has this truth filled prophecy, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come],
except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Again, man's way/beliefs or those living words of GOD.
