<< In the case of the parables, it
clearly marks them as parables. Such is not the case with early Genesis.>>
And then writes:
<<I agree that Gen. 1 is in poetic form>>
This is a contradiction. If Gen. 1 is clearly poetic form, it is "clearly
marked" as such. That is the point, and it appears you agree.
Let's move from that point onward. How does a poem convey truth? Is it ONLY
through information? Of course not. Just as the parables are not so limited.
You say, <<Homer conveyed some true information in a poem>>
True, but he he was not LIMITED to that, was he? His description of Achilles'
shield was not factual, but it conveyed a message about heroism. And everyone
classifies The Iliad as epic, not journalism. Why hold it to a journalistic
standard?
You agree Gen. 1 is poetic, yet limit the scope of the poetry. That seems
arbitrary. What is your criterion for such a limitation?
But I'm very interested in the authority point which I posed to you: If you
don't see Genesis as factual, and don't see it as metaphorical, how DO you see
it? And how does that compare with the view of Jesus?
Jim