Re: Adam and Eve - myth?

Yes, Jim, I see that we are not in complete agreement. I understand.
 
You are right. Many fundamentalists, like atheists, are ignorant. Many people choose to believe lies rather than face the truth. Many have sinister plots designed to control people so that they might have power. Many people practice mind control and allow themselves to be controlled. One thing I know is that God, unlike people, has never forced me to do anything or controlled me in any way. He also shows me when I am allowing others to control me and helps me break free of that control. Jesus clearly said that He is the Truth and the Truth will set you and me free.
 
From the Bible I have learned about God. I have learned that He is just, loving, angry, jealous, powerful, awesome, mighty, and holy - to name a few. He has done things and has character traits that I do not understand. Yet after I met Him and got to know Him personally, I learned that He is more wonderful than I ever imagined. When I sit and talk with Him, I learn about Who He is. I learn what He desires from me, what He wants me to do, and what He wants me to have. God alone is my Source and the Bible is the "plumb line" that allows me to measure what I hear as truth or not.
 
Yes, some parts of the Bible might just be stories but the Bible has real truths in it. Some of those truths are about the nature of God, the truth of God, what He wants for His people, who His people are, how to become part of His family.
 
Talking with God and hearing His voice is the second greatest miracle of my life. Yes, I hear from God - a still, small quiet voice. No, I don't always do what He says but I always wish I had. Can you imagine having Someone love you so much that He was willing to die for you, even when you didn't want Him to or care if He did? Someone Who knows everything, knows what is best for you, and even knows the best way for you to live your life? Not only that but is willing to tell you the best way and give you the best things? He's better than the best Mom and Dad that ever lived! Better than Santa Claus!
 
Many others on this list will read this and believe that I am wasting my time even responding. To those - thanks for indulging me. To Jim, remember that you were made with a plan and a purpose and your soul knows it very well. Take a minute, listen to your soul. Know.
 
Sheila
 
 
 

Jim Eisele <jeisele@starpower.net> wrote:
Sheila writes

>In the past day or two, someone (I've forgotten who) has declared that Adam
and Eve must be a
>myth or an analogy. I have pondered this long in my heart and believe that
Adam and Eve must
>have been two very real people. The Bible clearly states in the New
Testament that by one man
>sin entered the world and by one Man the world might be saved. (Romans 5)
If Adam and Eve were
>a myth or an idealistic story then Romans would not be true.
>
>Obviously, I am a fundamentalist that believes the Bible is the true word
of God.

Fundamentalists know what the Bible says and stick to it. Often they are
just ignorant. The more knowledgeable ones must rationalize away abundant
scientific evidence. On a more sinister level, they may have personal
agendas that disregard truth.

You do know what the text says, Sheila. I don't know if you're ready
to admit that it doesn't make sense. Since this is a public forum,
your faith is much more vulnerable than if you were closed off from
outside communication.

Now, Christianity ought to be about the truth. Public forums ought to
be wonderful news for Christians. From what I've seen, the opposite
is true. It is the Christians doing the evading and making the personal
attacks. Sometimes they are accused of censorship as well.

All of this puts atheists in a bit of a spot. We may be very confident
about our position. Yet we may wonder if deconversion is good for any
particular Christian. Maybe it is more than they can handle. In real
life, a friendship or work relationship or family relationship may be
damaged or lost by challenging someone's faith. People may fear losing
their jobs.

Compounding matters is the controlling/evangelistic nature of Christianity.
Atheists may fear Christians trying to impose their morality on them in
the form of legislation or social pressure. Anti-prostitution laws are a
current example. Anti-abortion and anti-homosexual laws have been softened
or lifted. Current legal battles include whether children should be
"required"
to recite that we are one nation under God during the pledge of allegiance.

So there is much social turf in play and in battle. There is far, far more
to talk about, but only limited time.

There is no question whatsoever in my mind that the Adam and Eve story is
myth. If you don't realize that, you really are a victim of some type of
mind control. Stay a Christian if you feel the rest of the evidence is good
(it really isn't), but please, please don't believe the Adam and Eve story
really happened.

Once again, Adam and Eve had no knowledge of good or evil. Punishing them
makes no sense at all. It is just some primitive way of trying to
understand
why there is suffering in the world.

Jim

Sheila McGinty Wilson
sheila-wilson@sbcglobal.net
Received on Fri, 19 Dec 2003 07:24:13 -0800 (PST)