Question about Evolution

Uh...Andy, you didn't read that poll very closely did you?

49% accept evolution...which by my math beats the 44% who accept YEC.

Here is a better breakdown, and more current (IIRC)
Positions on Biblical inerrancy.

 

Sorry, I realized my mistake and tried to edit my post but you guys are too quick for me!

So, you really think the majority of Christians are in the 49%?


Andy

 

The bible is true, but Genesis shouldn't be taken literally. I mean, how can plants grown without sunlight? That's just one example.

 

Where are you getting Satan from? A serpent tempted Eve. It and it's kind are now spending their lives eating dust.

 

OK, now I understand where you're coming from. Thanks for the link -- very interesting.

Basically, my definition of "Christian" is different from yours. I think if you limited the sample to churches that believe in justification by faith alone, then the statistics on inerrancy would swing the other way.

Andy

 

A "True Scotsman", eh?

 

Really?

Provide some biblical support for that,

 

Genesis 3 speaks of a “serpent.” The book of Revelation, however, identifies "that serpent of old" as "the Devil and Satan" (Rev 20:2)

 

Actually, it says "that old serpent". And that in no way makes him the serpent in the Garden.

The serpent was a symbol of wisdom and immortality in the ancient middle east.

 

Thanks

Actually Rev 20:2 says “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years…”

The Bible tells me that the Devil and Satan, are better known as the dragon and the serpent of old. Who could the serpent of old be? Maybe the one that caused this whole mess?

 

I had to look that one up. The Internet it great!

This is the wrong forum to debate the definition of a Christian but I reject the idea that it means whatever anyone wants it to mean. There is such a thing as authentic Christianity.

At any rate, the statistics that you reference are only the "official" position of the particular church. As the website itself says, the

So, given the stats from the Gallup Poll that say 44% of Americans believe in YEC, do you really think that the majority of those who consider themselves Christians fall outside of that 44%?

Andy

 

Actually the serpent is a symbol of treachery and sin.
(Ps. 58:4), (Matt 23:33)

(Rev. 12:19) “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

 

What Chtistian denominations don't believe in justification by faith alone?

 

If anyone wants to discuss what I'm about to say on the Other Religions / Doctrines forum, just let me know and I'll go over there. This is getting off topic. But since you asked . . .

The web site that Meatros linked to refers to several denominations that do not demand belief in inerrancy. Of those, several do not believe in justification by faith alone, most notably the Roman Catholic church, the Disciples of Christ, the Church of Christ, and the Mormons. There may be others on the list as well. Note that I am refering to official church doctrine, not what an individual in a particular denomination may believe.

Andy

 

If you want to go ahead and assume that the serpent in Genesis is Satan, go right ahead. However if it was, then why were all serpents forced to eat dust?

 

Personally, I think a "Christian" is for Jesus/God to decide and not me, I'm not trying to cast that sort of damning judgement on my fellow man.

And you really think that the Gallup Poll fairly represents the American public? I don't remember being asked my opinion, do you? Polls take 'samples', which can be easily mistaken.

I don't think the poll you provided was very clear. The only thing it shows is the majority of American's believe in evolution. Out of the majority we have no idea whether or not the people accepting evolution are Christian. Some believe that God had a hand, others did not. That's not the same as saying that some believed God had a hand, while others are atheists.

 

Genesis 3 does not, by itself alone, clearly identify the person as Satan, but the rest of the Bible makes it clear this is Satan appearing as a serpent.

In Ezekiel 28:13-19, we are told that Satan was in Eden.
Job 26:13: Isaiah 51:9, associates a serpent or a snake-like creature with Satan.
Again, Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 speaks of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan.

Someone here asked for Bible references and they’ve been given. I don’t expect a few here to believe Genesis as anything other than a fairy tale, which is why I’ve been limiting my responses. What’s the point in debating the obvious?

Just as Satan took God’s positive command (Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat (Genesis 2:16-17) and rephrases it in a negative way: "God won’t let you eat of every tree." So are a few scientists.

Satan at this point has effectively laid the groundwork: he drew Eve into a discussion with him, he has planted the seed of doubt about God’s Word in her, and he has exposed Eve’s incomplete understanding of God’s Word. Now he moves in for the kill, with an outright contradiction of what God has said.

Kind of reminds me of what science is doing to God’s Word. Even though many will claim to be “saved,” Satan is deceiving and is quite successful. Someone here referred to an “angle” overseeing the authors of the Bible as “smiling” as they penned a few “mistakes.” Well, no “angle” directed the authors, it was the Holy Sprit and God doesn’t make “mistakes.” If anyone is smiling its Satan himself.

 

I see, so by your logic, all serpents/snakes are Satan?

Deceitful rhetoric gains you no points.

I see, so using the common sense and ability to observe what is around is is evil. I notice that you've taken Gods/Jesus's role of pronouncing who is saved. Good for you, to feel that righteous, personally I'll still worship Jesus and not you. I hope you won't be offended.

 

What does the Bible tell you?

Where did I say anywhere about worshipping me? I said “many will claim to be saved” don’t twist my words into assuming I was singling you out. There are many people who truly believe they are saved, but aren’t. I meet them all the time. If you feel I’m questioning your faith, maybe your faith needs to be questioned.

Furthermore, you alone didn’t arrive at your current theory of the earth’s age, just by “common sense”, “looking” or “observing”. The kids in our Sunday school don’t have a problem believing Genesis. Give them a few years in the public school systems and they very well may.

Sorry if science or better yet your mind you use for “common sense” and your eyes you use to “look” and “observe” are deceiving you, but you need to get over yourself.

Truth hurts.