Interpreting the Bible Lesson Aim To consider the different Christian approaches to interpreting the Bible – focusing on Genesis

As you know, Christians have different approaches to interpreting the Bible...

...Genesis is perhaps the best example of this!

There are 3 main approaches to understanding the Bible: - 1. Literal 2. Symbolic 3. Combination of the above

What do you know about... What Creationists believe? Write it on your post-it and stick it here...

There are 3 main approaches to understanding the Bible: - 1. Literal 2. Symbolic 3. Combination of the above

Literal Christians who interpret the Bible literally are sometimes known as fundamentalists or literalists They insist on a literal understanding of the Bible for a number of reasons

Literal The main reason is that the Bible is God's book revealed to humanity. This means that it is 100% trustworthy This is called inerrancy (i.e. There are no errors in the Bible)‏

Literal They are of the opinion that if you start questioning Genesis, then you begin dismantling the entire faith

Literal Fundamentalist Christians are of the view that revelation is more reliable than reason or experience

Literal Fundamentalist Christians are of the view that revelation is more reliable than reason or experience In other words, revelation is superior to science

Literal Fundamentalist Christians are of the view that revelation is more reliable than reason or experience In other words, revelation is superior to science So when there is a difference between the Bible and modern science, the Bible is always right.

Literal Fundamentalist Christians try to find fault in modern scientific theories that clash with the Genesis story

Literal Fundamentalist Christians try to find fault in modern scientific theories that clash with the Genesis story They argue that the scientific evidence for the Big Bang and Evolution is unreliable

Literal Fundamentalist Christians try to find fault in modern scientific theories that clash with the Genesis story They argue that the scientific evidence for the Big Bang and Evolution is unreliable Some Creation Scientists attempt to support Genesis with science

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Literal Christians who read Genesis literally are known as creationists

Literal Christians who read Genesis literally are known as creationists They support what is known as the young earth theory

Literal Christians who read Genesis literally are known as creationists They support what is known as the young earth theory They have to reject modern scientific views on human origins as they are not compatible with their interpretation of the Bible

“It is a pity that the term 'creation science' was ever invented. Creationism is not a branch of science, and never can be. Creation is a matter of faith” Dr Alan Hayward is a Scientist and a Bible believing Christian. He argues that belief in God as creator is a matter of faith, not one of science.

There are 3 main approaches to understanding the Bible: - 1. Literal 2. Symbolic 3. Combination of the above

Symbolic Liberal Christians take a different view. They insist that there is truth in Genesis but it needs to be interpreted in a more sophisticated way (like an allegory)‏

Symbolic Liberal Christians argue that the Bible was written by the hands of men – therefore it is not inerrant (without error)‏

Symbolic They would also argue that the Bible was written thousands of years ago. It was never intended to be a scientific account of the world,. It is not a scientific text book!

Symbolic Liberal Christians accept the view that Science and Religion have different aims. Science: How? Religion: Why?

There are 3 main approaches to understanding the Bible: - 1. Literal 2. Symbolic 3. Combination of the above

Combination Of course, many Christians fall into the third camp. They believe that Genesis is divinely inspired and inerrant but should be interpreted as an allegory

Combination Adam = Man Eve = Woman

Combination Perhaps the 6 days of creation represent different eras? They don't need to be 24 hour days.

Combination Perhaps the 6 days of creation represent different eras? They don't need to be 24 hour days. This is supported by the fact that the sun doesn't exists until the fourth day

Combination This view accommodates both modern science and Biblical inerrancy Christians who believe in the symbolic approach often speak of Intelligent Design

There are 3 main approaches to understanding the Bible: - 1. Literal 2. Symbolic 3. Combination of the above

Strengths of Literalism Requires only faith – no need to grapple with complicated science

Strengths of Literalism Requires only faith – no need to grapple with complicated science The Bible retains its absolute authority as being utterly reliable. This means that they defend the faith effectively.

Strengths of Literalism Requires only faith – no need to grapple with complicated science The Bible retains its absolute authority as being utterly reliable. This means that they defend the faith effectively. It seems like the most straight-forward reading of Genesis

Limitations of Literalism It doesn't give respect to modern science – as it presumes everything is false unless it agrees with the Bible. They believe in things like: -  Archbishop Ussher in 1660 who dated the origin of man to 4004BC (young earth theory)  The world was created in six 24 hour days etc It is too simplistic. Are Christians really required to sacrifice their intelligence to be followers of Jesus? It doesn't allow room for allegory, deeper truths or mystery in the Bible Is it credible? Is creationism really science?

Limitations of Literalism It doesn't give respect to modern science – as it presumes everything is false unless it agrees with the Bible. They believe in things like: -  Archbishop Ussher in 1660 who dated the origin of man to 4004BC (young earth theory)  The world was created in six 24 hour days etc It is too simplistic. Are Christians really required to sacrifice their intelligence to be followers of Jesus? It doesn't allow room for allegory, deeper truths or mystery in the Bible Is it credible? Is creationism really science?

Criticisms of Creationism As mainstream science becomes more ‘concrete’, it seems less credible Creation Scientists ‘pick and chose’ the scientific evidence they use (e.g. some geology but not evolution) ‘Special creation’ and supernatural intervention cannot be tested scientifically – this is all about belief. Also leads to ‘god of the gaps’ problem. Independent scientists (majority of community) do not accept Creation Science calculations and evidence. It goes against mainstream physics, chemistry, astronomy and geology. There is generally accepted evidence that goes against the ‘Young Earth’ theory  Tree ring record back 8,200 years  Radio Carbon Dating shows fossils that are millions of years old

Strengths of the Symbolic Allows you to understand things in the Bible in a modern context

Strengths of the Symbolic Allows you to understand things in the Bible in a modern context Allows you to use your God given intelligence to analyse and interpret a complex source

Strengths of the Symbolic Allows you to understand things in the Bible in a modern context Allows you to use your God given intelligence to analyse and interpret a complex source This view allows for an accepting relationship between science and Christianity, and may as a result be taken more seriously

Limitations of the Symbolic How do we know what is meant to be symbolic and what is literal? There is a danger that we pick and choose – which isn't really 'faith’

Limitations of the Symbolic How do we know what is meant to be symbolic and what is literal? There is a danger that we pick and choose – which isn't really 'faith' It may be the start of a slippery slope to losing belief in the entire Bible

Limitations of the Symbolic How do we know what is meant to be symbolic and what is literal? There is a danger that we pick and choose – which isn't really 'faith' It may be the start of a slippery slope to losing belief in the entire Bible Over dependence on science may tempt you to give up your faith altogether.

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