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 | Conservative Christians generally
believe in the
inerrancy of the Bible. Thus they regard the creation stories in the
first part of Genesis to be literally correct. Many believe that the
events covered six actual 24-hour days.
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| Other conservative and mainline Christians have attempted to reconcile the Bible with the findings of science. They believe that the Earth is billions of years old. They follow the day-age old earth, or gap theories described elsewhere in this web site. By harmonizing Genesis and science, they can continue their belief in God's inspiration of the Bible's authors, and the resultant inerrancy of the Bible. | ||||||
| Post-Christians, and most liberal Christians do not accept the
inerrancy of the Bible. They note that that the authors of Genesis lived
in a pre-scientific world. Even elementary geology, cosmology, astronomy,
biology etc. were beyond their knowledge and ability to understand. These
Christians may accept the creation stories in Genesis as:
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Sponsored link:
Why is the debate over origins so important?
Conservative Christians commit a great deal of effort and money into the promotion of creation science. Many work persistently to have it taught as part of the science curriculum in public schools. One reason is that the liberal and Roman Catholic positions, which favor evolution, throw into doubt Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden as actual people and places. Creation science supports the creation stories as literal truth. If the creation stories in Genesis are religious myth, then the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil would probably also be considered as a fable that never happened.
Historical Christianity teaches that humanity's isolation from God and descent into sin stems from this event. If the original sin and fall of humanity did not happen, then people would not need to be saved. Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) would not have had a role as savior; his execution and resurrection would not be needed. Thus, many conservative Christians treat the creation stories as of paramount importance. If the stories are allowed to be interpreted as myth, religious conservatives see foundational Christian beliefs collapsing like a row of dominoes.
Reference:
- Steve Schaffner, "Various interpretations of Genesis," at: http://www.talkorigins.org/
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Home page > Christianity > Christian history, etc. > Beliefs > Models > here |
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Copyright © 1995 to
2005, by
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally published on 1995-NOV-3
Most recent update: 2005-AUG-30
Author: B.A. Robinson
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