To Christians who aren't creationists

[Neo-Scholastic]

So believe this, but this is not what is recorded in the bible.

’Recorded’ has a historical connotation that reflects your literal interpretation. Saying that the Bible ‘tells’, ‘says’ or ‘what is written’ would be more neutral and suggest openness to alternate interpretations, which sounds more like you.

We are told God created man period, in His image… outside the garden God set in motion the evolutionary process that would yield monkey or evolved man.

The problem is defining the characteristics that liken man to God. Are you suggesting that YHWH is a bi-pedal hominid? Probably not. I say the external and biological human form is irrelevant. What matters is our hearts and minds. Why is the process of speciation even important with respect to our relationship with God?

The text does not exclude this interpretation.

I meant to acknowledge your interpretation as possible.

Christ points to the story of Adam and Eve as an actual literal event.

You are the one saying that is how Jesus meant it to be taken. Jesus did not come to inform us of historical facts. He retold a story to teach us how to live.

I also have to account for the fossil record.

Why? God did not command anyone to confirm specific scientific theories.

For me and my station it is not my responsibility to reinterpret anything.

Look at how together we parsed out the significance of ‘chayah’. Can’t you see that everyone is already engaged in the process of interpreting the text, regardless of their take on it. When we engage with the Word it challenges our ability to understand it and make it part of our life.

If you have loosed yourself from this understanding of the faith and bound yourself to another then know you are responsible for it.

You’re suggesting that I have deviated from the ‘historic’ Christian faith. The various denominations reflect the ideas of those we look to for guidance. Some look to Origen, some to Luther, and others to Calvin? I find Swedenborg’s exegesis more compelling, even if it is a minority opinion. From my perspective evangelicals are stuck on the surface of the text and not engaging it on its deepest levels.