Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. [Heb 11:3] |
Subject: Bible and evolution both? |
Bible Note: Hello again; Somewhere in this thread I said that it seems to me there must have been a moment when the first organisms carrying the complete human genome - Adam and Eve - were born and imbued with God's spirit. I agree that regardless of what specific mechanism God used to create them, they must have existed. I certainly do not think that God kept his hands off during the process. As to your second point (the danger of denying the historicity of later events in Genesis), I don't see that as a problem with theistic evolution as I understand it; it's problem with unbelief. For example, Abraham must have existed if for no other reason (and there are plenty of others) than that Jesus drew specific theological lessons from his father's covenant with him. The same is true of Adam and Eve. But if Jesus ever talked about the process of creating of the universe or the time it took to do it, none of the gospel writers recorded it. If it was unimportant to Jesus, then I'm not going to get too worked up over it myself. I hope the reader will keep in mind that I'm not attacking a literal interpretation or promoting theistic evolution. I just responded to the question of whether or not one can be a Christian and believe in (some form of) evolution. I still contend that agreement on whether Genesis 1-2 is history or parable is not an essential element of the Christian faith. Agreeing that God is the Creator certainly is essential. Peace and grace, Steve |