They aren’t really good at giving facts and information compared to what I want to believe.
I read the Bible for a living and would like to believe in that or anything about the Bible rather than go down an Internet rabbit-hole.
I can actually offer you a resource that might help. It isn’t precisely what you’re after, but it is a Christian non-profit organization that seeks to mend the gap between science and faith, and let people know they can live in both worlds. They have some great resources.
Good luck, man, but my advice? Maybe consider shifting some of your positions to fit the real world.
The way I see it, in Christianity God has spoken to us in two categories: His Word and His Creation.
To reject what we learn about His Creation due to our interpretation of His Word is the epitome of hubris.
I had a discussion once with a friend of mine who is a Lutheran pastor. I mentioned that the evidence for evolution and an old earth/universe is incontrovertible. And this was a shock to him, because I had previously been a pretty staunch Young Earth advocate in my younger, more ignorant years.
He asked me how I square various things from the Bible with that, and he was a bit troubled by my response:
“You’re the pastor, you tell me how to square it.” As in, I’m telling you something that I have more expertise in than you do. Rather than denying it, please use your theological expertise to help bridge this gap.
Because continuing to push strict interpretations of scripture against the realities of the world we live in has never served the Church. Ever. Galileo being declared a heretic for his heliocentric theory is really no different than denying modern scientific discoveries. Even now it only harms the Church, leads to people having crises of faith or abandoning the Church altogether because in far too many churches a dogmatic, rigid understanding of Scripture is more important than the Gospel itself.
This is why I admire churches that are open and affirming, preaching the Gospel to sinners, rather than using the Law as a way to shame and exclude. For all have sinned and fallen short, no one is better or worse than another.
Christ ate with prostitutes, criminals, and tax collectors. The Church needs to be more like Christ.
I guess I got a bit off topic at the end there, but I hope I helped in some way. To me it’s all intertwined.
I can actually offer you a resource that might help. It isn’t precisely what you’re after, but it is a Christian non-profit organization that seeks to mend the gap between science and faith, and let people know they can live in both worlds. They have some great resources.
They’re called BioLogos.
Good luck, man, but my advice? Maybe consider shifting some of your positions to fit the real world.
The way I see it, in Christianity God has spoken to us in two categories: His Word and His Creation.
To reject what we learn about His Creation due to our interpretation of His Word is the epitome of hubris.
I had a discussion once with a friend of mine who is a Lutheran pastor. I mentioned that the evidence for evolution and an old earth/universe is incontrovertible. And this was a shock to him, because I had previously been a pretty staunch Young Earth advocate in my younger, more ignorant years.
He asked me how I square various things from the Bible with that, and he was a bit troubled by my response:
“You’re the pastor, you tell me how to square it.” As in, I’m telling you something that I have more expertise in than you do. Rather than denying it, please use your theological expertise to help bridge this gap.
Because continuing to push strict interpretations of scripture against the realities of the world we live in has never served the Church. Ever. Galileo being declared a heretic for his heliocentric theory is really no different than denying modern scientific discoveries. Even now it only harms the Church, leads to people having crises of faith or abandoning the Church altogether because in far too many churches a dogmatic, rigid understanding of Scripture is more important than the Gospel itself.
This is why I admire churches that are open and affirming, preaching the Gospel to sinners, rather than using the Law as a way to shame and exclude. For all have sinned and fallen short, no one is better or worse than another.
Christ ate with prostitutes, criminals, and tax collectors. The Church needs to be more like Christ.
I guess I got a bit off topic at the end there, but I hope I helped in some way. To me it’s all intertwined.
Speaking as a mildly militant atheist, this is some of the smartest shit I’ve ever seen a religious adherent say.
Thank you, I consider that a distinct honor and high praise!
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