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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: AT THE RISK OF ANNOYING YOU FINE FOLKS EVEN FURTHER... With all respect, the Bible is not the source of our faith, at least not mine. The Bible informs my faith; it informs the faith of those who influenced me. But the Holy Spirit is the source of my faith; it is a gift of God (Romans 12:3, 2 Peter 1:1). Romans 10:17 isn't a reference to the Bible; it's a reference to the gospel of Christ. I love the Bible and read it regularly (OT and NT). But it didn't save me; Jesus did. You do me a disservice by saying that I "reject" the Genesis account of creation. Genesis 1 says that God created the heavens and the earth; I believe that with all my heart. It says that he created man and woman in his own image; I believe that with all my heart. It goes on to describe Adam and Eve, their innocence and their fellowship with God, the temptation by Satan, the fall, and the consequences. I believe those things with all my heart. Why? Because all of those events have a direct bearing on the person and work of Jesus Christ. But if the physical mechanism of creation is essential to the faith, why didn't Jesus ever talk about it? If I weren't such an agreeable fellow, I'd be offended by your suggetion that I might advocate "tricking" people into becoming Christians. Can you show me where in the Bible we are instructed to demand belief in a literal interpretation of the creation? If I can show someone that they need a savior and Jesus is the one they need, if I can tell that person how Jesus has changed my life, if I can share my confidence in my salvation, is that trickery? More to the point of this discussion, can you show me where in the Bible it says that belief in the Bible is a condition of salvation? Where does it say that entrance to the Kingdom depends on belief in Abraham or Moses or Peter or Paul? Of course, the only requirement is faith in Jesus Christ. If you were to tell me God requires me to beieve a particular reading of Genesis, that would come perilously close to adding to the gospel. Likewise, suggesting that belief in the Bible is a prerequisite for salvation would turn the Bible into an idol. The Bible makes no such claims for itself. And I assume that such is not your intent. I read the Bible because it helps me to better know Jesus and what he expects of me (and how far I fall short). I accept the Bible's own description of itself in 2 Timothy 3:15-18. I will go even further: The Bible is the inspired world of God and that makes it important. But if it didn't bear witness to Jesus, I don't know what practical value it would have. Peace and grace, Steve |