Don, I think you are constructing a false either/or here (and didn't we have this discussion here about a week ago?).
THERE ARE MORE OPTIONS than "factual" or "something God had no hand in." God has more ways of communicating truth than factual scientific accounts (look at how Jesus taught in parables). As usual, the underlying problem is the assumption that portions of the Word of God have to be scientifically factual in order to be "true." This isn't an issue of God "staying out" of the process, it's a matter of God (through the inspired author) deciding what form works best to communicate the truth God wants communicated. It only gets confusing if the form God used doesn't match the way some fallen humans think He should have written it -- and that isn't God's fault.
Allan
In a message dated Thu, 21 Mar 2002 6:43:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Don Perrett" <don.perrett@verizon.net> writes:
> Thanks for your quick response. While I do believe in creation through
> evolution, I was not speaking to that issue. Regardless of what we may find
> or believe to be the process of creation, my question is whether Genesis is
> correct/factual or is it just something God had no hand in, as you stated,
> and if so then WHY? I have still yet to receive an answer for this from
> anyone. If you hold to the idea that God chose not to influence the Bible,
> then again WHY? What evidence, Biblical or historical, is there that God
> intentionally made the decision to stay out of such an important document?
> How would this serve God? If the texts are solely written by God fearing
> individuals, who I'm sure attempted to maintain truth using their own
> knowledge and literary skills, then could it not be said that anyone who
> writes with the intent of praising God has written something worth being in
> the Bible? Many texts concerning God, both recent and ancient, have been
> written. Correct me if I'm wrong but, is that not the purpose for the Canon?
> Texts found or believed to be the word of God are included, while others are
> not. Or is this a stretch on my part?
> Insight please.
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