The Bible: Literal or Figurative

quote:

---

. The virgin birth (not unusual from a mythological point of view) helps establish that Jesus was more than simply a prophet. For Christians, that IS one of the core beliefs.

---

Jar,That statement is part of the Nicene Creed, right. I've read that the original prophecy used a term that could as easily be interpreted as meaning "a young woman". Also read many scholars who dispute that Isiah was referring to a Jesus but rather to someone in his own time.Virgin births were a feature of many mythologies but didn't seem to be part of the Jewish view. I think it was the influence of paganism, gentiles whatever. I certainly don't thint it's scripturally necessary.Do you believe in the virgin birth? Do you believe some one could be considered a christian who didn't believe in it?Sometime during my high school years I stopped being a christian when I read through the Nicene creed and realised I could not honestly say I believed most of the stuff in it, and rather than try to come up with some scientifically "correct" Christianity I just dropped the whole thing.peace,
lfen

Jar,
Weren't all those beliefs declared heresy? That is most christians would consider them heretics.lfen

quote:

---

I'm only saying that you can neither prove nor disprove your dogmatic statment that the geneologies and ages were mythical and had no foundation in reality.

​

Without proof either way, I don't think its good to be so dogmatic about it.

---

Hi Dawg!Not proven, but I'm going to say that the preponderance of the evidence would indicate little variance in life span beyond what we already know from history and archaeology, etc. As a naturalist who is willing to consider transcedent aspects to the universe but not miraculous suspension of natural law (until science begins to find evidence for it) it works for me. I don't think it's dogmatic so much as common sense until shown to be otherwise.This is probably no consolation to you but this is my position on all religions and miracles.