(July 24, 2013 at 4:13 am)genkaus Wrote:(July 24, 2013 at 2:55 am)fr0d0 Wrote:
You realize you just called most of the Christians morons, right?
When Ryth says anyway he wishes it suggests that symbolic interpretations can only be the product of whimsy. So if, as Frodo says one is a moron, then you wouldn't undertake such a delicate task with the seriousness required and the results would be inconsistent and fruitless.
There is a difference between discerning an authors intent and imposing one's own meaning onto a text. Then again, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. While the certainty of biblical interpretation lacks the clarity of the physical sciences, it remains a useful area of study for people of faith.
As it relates the OP, historically the Scriptures serve as a source of knowledge about God's nature and as guide for practicing the faith. These uses pre-date the modern scientific method. As such, I, like many other Christians consider approaching the Bible as a scientific text about cosmology and biology a flawed approach.
Personally, I do not see much value in using the Bible to convince anyone of anything unless they are already inclined to receive the message. My motto is to preach the Gospel and sometimes use words.
