Did a God or Gods create the universe? EDITED
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@unknownuser said:
@brodie.. you're pretty much saying about the bible what many of the atheists are saying.
but there are many many others that read the bible as being a factual recollection of history.
I think I'd lump myself in that group for the most part so maybe I'm misrepresenting myself. I think as a historical document the Bible is extremely reliable. If you're talking specifically about the early Genesis stuff then I'd say that my default position is that the events happened as recorded. However, that issue isn't a 'make it or break it' issue for me (which I understand is frustrating for atheists). If someone wants to say that Noah didn't really exist I don't think that's an irreconcilable issue. I think a person can become a Christian without believing in a literal Noah or even a literal Adam (although eventually there will need to be some questions that would need to be dealt with in either case).
Now if someone wants to interpret 1 Chronicles or Matthew as a sort of allegory I would have to take issue with that, as would any Biblical scholar.
-Brodie
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Well put sir !! I believe the same !
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Sorry Jason, but throwing up a smokescreen by saying we don't know much when it comes to facts pertaining to the Flood doesn't even begin to cut it.
Certainly there are things that we don't know...but there's also a heck of a lot that we do know.
We know that the topography of the earth has not changed substantially since the end of the last Ice Age...almost twice as long ago as the supposed flood.
We know that there are a myriad of flood myths across the globe, possibly linked to an equal number of local flood events. However we also know that those events were not contemporary. There is absolutely no evidence of any global flood...indeed most areas of the planet show no evidence of flooding at all within recent geologic time. We also know that those myths vary greatly across the globe. There is no common denominator other than the fact that many people worldwide have suffered disastrous floods.
We know that there is not remotely enough water on this planet...in whatever form...to inundate anywhere more than about 300 ft above present sea levels. You'd need 50 times that extra amount to flood the Tibetan plateau and some other highland areas. In fact if all the icecaps and glaciers on earth melted, the continents would look little different...just a little more ragged round the edges.
We know that creationist claims about subterranean water bursting forth are complete BS. If that much water was buried as deep as they claim, it wouldn't burst forth. It would turn instantly to high pressure steam and blow the entire surface of the planet into outer space.
And if it was there, where is it now? Because it's certainly not on earth...and if it had escaped into space we'd see it. We know the Kuyper Belt is out there. We know the Oort Cloud is out there. We'd certainly see that much water (now ice) much closer at hand, but rapidly receding.We know that the polar ice caps have been in position, laying down layer upon layer of ice for many thousands of years; we can count them like tree rings. If there had been that depth of flood water they would have floated away and melted.
And finally...in this list..but not in any other list I could compile, we know that the Chinese have been happily being Chinese for way longer than this. They've been growing millet, continuously, in some areas since 7000 BC. Curiously, they've never heard of Noah, nor his ark. Nor do they have any myths about emigrating from the Ararat massif. They would laugh at such western presumption.
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They do have their own flood myth.
You talk an awful lot about what we do know, but you are taking someone elses word for it since you don't know for yourself... and furthermore these people are just extrapolating data as best they can based on current understanding.
Current understanding which is constantly undergoing revision and experts are often wrong -- they are many unexplained mysteries as well. So to conclusively say anything is possible or impossible is to assume everything we "think" is true is actually true.
Which to me shows alot of faith... just possibly misplaced.
I'm sorry but I can't put that much faith in human "knowledge" knowing how flawed and limited it is... this was the inescapable fact that led me to leaving my atheistic ways and becoming a Christain.
At the very least I find the biblical account no less preposterous than any other theory (which BTW if we are being honest almost all science is -- instead of the set in stone fact you are presenting it as).
Best,
Jason. -
BTW you do know that the Bible says the separation of the continents happened about 300 years after the flood right?
I mean really, if you are going to get uptight about geological details it seems you would start there... but what do I know.
My definition of God allows for anything to be possible -- so I see no issues
Best,
Jason. -
@ Alan F.
I know that topography of the Earth (land and water) HAS CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY..., and will be changed again soon, during Tribulation period, according to biblical prophecies. All God’s words are trustworthy!I also know that the Atmosphere had before a different composition, density and thickness!
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False equivalence yet again. That's one huge cop-out. If vast areas haven't been flooded, they haven't been flooded...and there is quite obvious evidence if they have been. If there isn't enough water on the planet, there isn't enough water. The annual stratifications in ice deposits are perfectly clear. There is ample evidence of continuous civilization...in China, Egypt and many other places, predating any possible date for such a deluge. They must have blinked and missed it. It is utterly disingenuous to equate all this with a single Bronze Age myth that isn't even original.
Yes, one group of Chinese, the Miao, do have a flood myth in oral tradition. It involves one man and his sister floating away in a gourd. No animals...just them. He tricked her into marrying him afterwards. The child was malformed. He chopped it into pieces and threw them away; and they turned into people. Totally unlike Genesis. As I said, plenty have places have been locally flooded. It's exactly what you might expect. It signifies nothing other than the human capacity to create myths.
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Stop talking crap, Cornel. You know no such thing.
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@jason_maranto said:
My definition of God allows for anything to be possible -- so I see no issues
In other words, you see fit not to enquire or question anything; not to use the brain God gave you...rather like a cow in a field. They see no issues either.
Bless
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I question pretty much everything -- but I'm smart enough to admit when I don't know and just move on. Life is too short and I've got much better things to dwell on -- this has very little to do with anything as Brodie has already said. I just consider it a fun diversion.
Best,
Jason. -
It's not really a cop-out I just know when I'm outclassed (by God, not you).
A couple Bible quotes to back that up and then I'm off to bed:
1 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.1 Corinthians 1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;So what I am saying is at my very wisest I an no smarter than God at his most foolish moment... it would be the worst type of vanity for me to assume I know better or even that I could figure it out. In the same way a fire ant has no way of conceiving the purposes you have for the things you do -- or even how you do them.
Best,
Jason. -
‘Alan F’wrote: “Stop talking crap, Cornel. You know no such thing.”
OK, mister, I remain silent, because the truth upsets...
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@unknownuser said:
‘Alan F’wrote: “Stop talking crap, Cornel. You know no such thing.”
OK, mister, I remain silent, because the truth upsets...
Your version of the truth, you mean.
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@ ’Dropout’. Expression „version of the truth” ia an absurdity...
We find the TRUTH revealed in God's Word (in the Bible), so, study it carefully, if you want to know in what world you live!
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So the people of Omachron Persei 8 are supposed to buy into the teachings of the Bible despite the fact that they cannot relate to its teachings on any level?
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@unknownuser said:
@ ’Dropout’. Expression „version of the truth” ia an absurdity...
We find the TRUTH revealed in God's Word (in the Bible), so, study it carefully, if you want to know in what world you live!
Oh, I have studied it carefully for many years.
There are two things, faith and theology. Faith is that Jesus died for our sins. That's not negotiable. Theology is everything else, how long did it take for God to create the world, are all unbelievers going to Hell, women in ecclesiastical office, homosexuality etc. These are subject to study and negotiation.
The Bible teaches that salvation is dependent on only one thing: belief that Jesus is Saviour. That's all. There are no other catches, secret handshakes, financial requirements. Nothing else. To suggest otherwise is in error. You may believe in a young earth, I don't. It doesn't matter since it's not a salvation issue.
As we go into the world, we need to bring only one message and that is that God loves everyone no matter what, not beat people over the head with our particular brand of theology.
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’Dropout’ wrote: “[The Bible teaches that salvation is dependent on only one thing: belief that Jesus is Saviour. That's all.]”
You are wrong, mister ’Dropout’..., because of this:
“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the DEMONS believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:19-20)
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I like how cornel argues everyone... believers or not.
nobody is right.. nobody is going to heaven.. except cornelIm beginning to think cornel is actually god.
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@unknownuser said:
’Dropout’ wrote: “[The Bible teaches that salvation is dependent on only one thing: belief that Jesus is Saviour. That's all.]”
You are wrong, mister ’Dropout’..., because of this:
“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the DEMONS believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:19-20)
That is true BUT the intent here is to say that we cannot use faith as a "get out of jail free" card.
Also, most people already have the "good deeds". Everyone, no matter how depraved, does some things that are good.
When believers fight over theology Satan laughs because it means we're not doing what we need to be doing which is showing God's love to the world.
And solo, I'm Canadian too.
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@ ‘Jeff H’. I do not say that “nobody is going to heaven” (you said...), but quite the contrary...
I assumed that you know verses undiscussed...!
Voila an example:“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
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