Nowhere have I stated that I believe the earth is young. As you recall, there are three major possibilities
Correct. But you said you would take the former side (ie, change the theory). So i asked, what would you change.
Before it can conform, Enigma, both must be true. So really, it comes down to which is true. Science or the Bible. Now I know you and Zoe will both rush to say, the Bible is true, but our interpretation is incorrect. But if that is correct, we must throw them away and start over. And I ask you - how can anything it says be believed, as many words can be reinterpreted.
Agreed. However, i believe the main message of the bible (ie, salvation thru Christ, do unto other..., love the lord...) are unchanging. Those cannot be interpreted differently due to the large amount of times they are cited.
But, i do believe other parts (namely, the 'unimportant' ones [nothing in the bible is unimportant, but you understand], like the age of the earth, how GOd did what he did, etc.) are open to re-interpretation if necessary. OR even if unnecessary. I do not believe that it will hurt any Christian (as long as his/her heart remains in the right place) to do so.
If we destabilize the Word we are defeating ourseleves and by reinterpreting the scripture to suit our prevailing idea this is the danger we face when the next great theory comes along.
Yeah, i guess. But, at the same time, we need to always work within our understanding at what the bible means to us. As a new Christian, i am constantly seeing new scripture just jump right out of the bible and smack me in the face. I've read the same things seemingly hundreds of times and then suddenly !!!POW!!! right in the face and it finally makes sense
. (By the way, that is the coolest feeling).
I'm sure ten years from now it will still be happening. Our understanding of certain scriptures will constantly be changing. As long as our core message remains the same (ie, what is the truth) then I think we will be okay.
My only worry is that we will stick to an incorrect interpretation just because it has become tradition.
PS-Just for the record, the phrase "Smacks me in the face" is one i use when i hold onto one idea only to a have simple remark throw it completely away and reveal (what is possibly) the truth.