An Agnostics Viewpoint of the Bible...

[AquaBlue]

Is it vital for Christian doctrine to maintain the Adam and Eve account literal?

I mean if that initial biblical account of the first human sin (the disobedience of god by the first couple) were figurative, would that destroy the Bible, as we know it? Jesus Christ in the flesh (his blood) would not of been necessary (if Adam and Ever were a figurative myth) and the secular destruction of the wicked at John’s vision of the worldly devastation (Armageddon) would be useless in its prediction. All such accounts after the first three chapters of Genesis hinge (effect- enormously) the rest of the scriptures- not to mention the Gospels in the Greek.

Do you not agree that believing (literally) in the Genesis account of the first sin is essential to the Bible’s authenticity?

If not, (If you see Eden as just a symbolic presentation) then the Bible is just a book written by wise old men; and it does not have any bearing on celestial/spiritual/worship matters. It would just be an old book of ancient stories with no divine provisions.

And please don’t answer by proclaiming the miracles of Bible prophecy as proofs of reliable god ship in the scriptures. I know my Bible well enough and know what things are (truth) and are what are not.

Thank you for allowing me to air me comments. I do not mean to be disrespectful to any religious denominations or personal thought.

 

[Hwy99]

Well I don't mean to "hate" Christian, or any kind of religion that believe in God, it's just that I am not sure if I really feel believe God while there are no proof for God except for the bible. All I see in the bible are the words, and I am not sure if it was real. That's why I voted "uncertain" on your other thread.

 

[AquaBlue]

What I will say is that the Bible does provide some sound wisdom. When I read the entire book and while doing so, I often turned to a number of pages in both the Hebrew and Greek to gain great wisdom from its words. Proverbs, Psalms (which is mostly spiritual wisdom) and other books like Job, the four books of Christ (Gospels), James and the writings of Paul- a worldly sinner/murderer who found wisdom in a vision.

I have applied, in situations in my life, Bible council and I have ALWAYS found such to be effective and true. It’s like when you sit with an elderly person(s) and they share wisdom with you…imagine those same old folks writing down those insights in a book: wouldn’t you read it? I would and I have; such Bible wisdom is fixed in my mind and I apply it daily. I recommend that everyone read the entire Bible at least once in his or her lifetime (but only for knowledge sake, not for spiritual fortification) That's one thing about that book I truly value.