Re: Reading the Bible "plainly"


Grendel wrote:
> Nice article that accurately explains how a creationist would read the
> Bible. The Bible is the best place to learn about your true origins. And
> with that knowledge, you will find what your purpose is ....why you were
> created.
>
> Enjoy and have a great week-end!

This still leaves some problems....

The Bible...read plainly....indicates that the universe [and what is in
it] was created in 6 days only a few thousand years ago....and that
there was a historical, world-wide flood.

This is clearly false given the evidence provided to us by the earth
[and universe] itself.


>
> **
> You incorrectly state that we take the Bible literally, which we don't,
> although we understand that the events recorded in Genesis are literal
> history. Let me explain in more detail to avoid confusion.
>
> The Bible gives us principles of interpretation in 2 Corinthians 4:2 and
> Proverbs 8:8-9:
>
> Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use
> deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by
> setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's
> conscience in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 4:2).
>
> All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is
> nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to
> him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge (Proverbs 8:8-9).
>
> In other words, we are to read and understand the Bible in a plain or
> straightforward manner. This is usually what people mean when they say
> "literal interpretation of the Bible" (this phrase is common among those
> not well-versed in hermeneutics). I try to use the term "plainly" so I
> don't confuse people.
>
> Reading the Bible "plainly" means understanding that literal history is
> literal history, metaphors are metaphors, poetry is poetry, etc. The
> Bible is written in many different literary styles and should be read
> accordingly. This is why we understand that Genesis records actual
> historical events. It was written as historical narrative, as outlined
> in Should Genesis be taken literally?
>
> Reading the Bible plainly/straightforwardly (taking into account
> literary style, context, authorship, etc.) is the basis for what is
> called the historical-grammatical method of interpretation which has
> been used by theologians since the church fathers. This method helps to
> eliminate improper interpretations of the Bible.
>
> For example, I once had someone say to me (who was not a Christian),
> "the Bible clearly says "there is no God' in Psalms 14:1." When you look
> up the verse and read it in context, it says:
>
> The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt,
> their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good (Psalm 14:1).
>
> So the context helps determine the proper interpretation-that a fool was
> saying this.
>
> I also once had someone tell me, "to interpret the days in Genesis, you
> need to read 2 Peter 3:8, which indicates the days are each a thousand
> years." 2 Peter 3:8-9, in context, says:
>
> But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day
> is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord
> is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is
> patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
> repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).
>
> This passage employs a literary device called a simile. Here, God
> compares a day to a thousand years in order to make the point that time
> doesn't bind Him, in this case regarding His patience. God is not
> limited to the time He created-that would be illogical.
>
> Also, this verse gives no reference to the days in Genesis, so it is not
> warranted to apply this to the days in Genesis 1. When read plainly,
> these verses indicate that God is patient when keeping His promises.
>
> At any rate, I pray this helps to clarify why we advocate reading and
> understanding the Bible in a plain or straightforward manner, and why
> Genesis should be understood as actual history.
>
> http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/feedback/2006/0113.asp

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Relevant Pages

  • Reading the Bible =?windows-1252?Q?=93plainly=94_?=
    ... The Bible gives us principles of interpretation in 2 Corinthians 4:2 and ... conscience in the sight of God. ... means understanding that literal history is ... This is why we understand that Genesis records actual ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Reading the Bible =?ISO-8859-1?B?sw==?=plainly=?ISO-8859-1?B?siA=?=
    ... > conscience in the sight of God. ... > literal history, metaphors are metaphors, poetry is poetry, etc. ... This is why we understand that Genesis records actual ... "read and understand the Bible in a plain or ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Evolution = Atheism = objective fact
    ... wrong and God does not exist. ... If the claims of Genesis creation are scientifically and historically ... happened in history, nor could an atheist show that Jesus was wrong by ... Atheists, like any educated persons, know that if Genesis ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Theodicy
    ... The argument is that all of this is real history, ... Even if Genesis 1 records God's work in a topical fashion, ... God's work-things God really did. ... Adam and Eve: Real People ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Reading the Bible "plainly"
    ... > "literal interpretation of the Bible" (this phrase is common among those ... > Reading the Bible "plainly" means understanding that literal history is ... This is why we understand that Genesis records actual ... How are these to forms of literature different? ...
    (talk.origins)