Bible Discussion Thread

It seems to me that the fundamental problem people have in interpreting and consequently understanding Genesis 1 springs from an attempt to reconcile what they know as 21st century readers acquainted with science and acquainted with developments in biblical interpretation. NB: acquainted with, not experts in.

I do not see Genesis 1 as an account of natural history but rather as an account of G-d's "intervention" in time. If the order of creation corresponds to the order of evolution, that is a coincidence and does nothing to invalidate either view.

For me G-d is unknowable, unfathomable, incomprehensible, although we may see the results of his action or inaction.

We can never put ourselves in the place of the Israelites who heard the account set out in Genesis or of the few who read it early on, no matter how hard we try. The extreme options, as I see them, are only to attempt to understand Genesis as the Israelites may have or only to draw lessons from it that are applicable to our own lives.

A synthesis of these options may be the best course, but if we fail to apply the lessons we can draw from our reading, we may as well read an ancient secular work, uninspired by G-d, however we may understand what inspiration is.