Re: Once you know it's false

Jim,
It seems to me that you do not know very much about Christianity, and at
best you only of one "kind" of Christianity.
However, I will take the time this once, before going to Europe:
1. Read all the books written about Gen.1 -11 and you will find that it
will take a lot of time to read them.
2. As Ted said there are many different opinions about Gen. 1 - 11, and
about once a year I may say something about it, but your conclusions are to
say the least the conclusions of someone who does not know and has not
studied the Bible thoroughly.
(BTW Did you read commentaries about Gen. 1 -11 in English and other
languages?)
3. Do you have a reason to talk to a group of Christians which
acknowledges that in many cases in reading the Bible, as well as in
studying nature more than one explanation is possible?
4. Do you realize that the Bible was written in a culture which did not
have any (or at best little) understanding of modern science? Did you
realize, that on many issues it seems that many modern N.American and
European people do not realize that someone's culture influences the way
certain concepts are discussed, which means that if you want to talk about
issues connected with natural science the Bible is often misunderstood,
especially by people who do not want to understand Chrisrians.
5. Have you studied other old languages (for example Egyptian hieroglyphics)?
6. A Christian believes that our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, and
all of us sin sometimes knowingly, often unknowingly. If you do not accept
that, you cannot understand the depth of the discussions for most of us.

Maybe, I should say more, since I do not know what the meaning of your word
"false" is. I have a feeling that we even disagree there.

Jan de Koning, leaving for Europe soon, but I will be back in December.

   11:50 AM 06/11/2004 -0500, Jim Eisele wrote:

>That being said, is it possible to remain an evangelical once you have
>been confronted with the other side of the story?

What story? That our Lord Jesus died for our sins?

>One need look no further than the mythology of Adam and Eve. Believable
>until you hear the other side of the story.

What story? Do you know how stories were told in old times? Even in the
Middle Ages?

>My current perception of evangelicals is that they are ignorant, and
>sometimes (hate to say it) intolerant.

Yes sometimes intolerant, but I must say that you seem to be ignorant of
what is happening among Christians. I don't know what you mean by
"evangelicals", because that may mean, even among Christians, different
things. Turning things around: it is difficult to listen to someone who
openly admits not to want believe in Jesus and His death for us. Someone
like that will go out of his way to show difficulties with which we as
Christians struggle and have no unified opinion.

>It has amazed me, in my time on the internet, to see just how easy
>it is to debunk the Adam and Eve story. Across the board, the standard
>Christian response is to retreat into silence.

Definitely not true. Just do a better research, not just listening to one
or two commentators. After you have acknowledged that you have read
commentaries from different believing Christians who have not retreated in
silence, talking becomes impossible.

> Christian ideas shrink
>from enlightened competition.

I don't understand? Competition with whom? And about what? ( Even if you
reply now, I will probably not reply as I plan to be on the other side of
the ocean. I must say though, that your writing appears to be the writing
of someone who has a very limited knowledge of Christianity.)

>Unfortunately, evangelicals tip the balance of political power.

Is evangelical equal to Christian in your mind? And, what does
"evangelical" mean for you?

>Does anyone on this list still believe Adam and Eve were real people?

Do you know what Christians believing in the death of Christ for their sins
have written about Adam and Eve? A discussion will only have sense when we
can refer you to writings of others, without having to copy long pieces, or
rewriting what others have thought. Do you understand and write other
languages, including modern European languages/

>Are you willing to discuss this?

Yes, but only if you are willing to listen.

Jan de Koning

>Jim
Received on Sat Nov 6 23:03:03 2004