Theistic Evolution

[Diamond]

4 hours ago, Sparks said:

I was mentioning your choice of relativism where you were saying that everything is relative.

Sorry I assumed that people would know that I was talking about Einstein's theory. 

The theory of relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, encompasses two interrelated theories: special relativity and general relativity.

1. Special Relativity (1905): This theory deals with objects moving at constant speeds, particularly those close to the speed of light. It introduced the idea that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light is constant regardless of the observer’s motion. Key concepts include:

   • Time Dilation: Time moves slower for objects moving at high speeds compared to those at rest.
   • Length Contraction: Objects moving at high speeds appear shorter in the direction of motion.
   • Relativity of Simultaneity: Events that appear simultaneous to one observer may not be to another moving at a different speed¹.

2. General Relativity (1915): This theory extends special relativity to include gravity. It describes gravity not as a force but as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. Key concepts include:

   • Spacetime Curvature: Massive objects like planets and stars warp the fabric of spacetime, creating what we perceive as gravity.
   • Gravitational Time Dilation: Time runs slower in stronger gravitational fields.
   • Black Holes: Regions of spacetime where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape²³.

These theories revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity, influencing modern physics and cosmology.

[Sparks]

45 minutes ago, Diamond said:

Sorry I assumed that people would know that I was talking about Einstein's theory.

You were not speaking of relativity, but of relativism. 

[enoob57]

writing tells all... That is why God chose His method ...

[Starise]

On 8/18/2024 at 7:42 AM, RV_Wizard said:

The best explanation of Genesis comes in Exodus.  When God wrote that He created the heavens and the earth in six days, there is no ambiguity in that statement.  Everything else in the Bible was recorded by men who were inspired by God.  The ten commandments were written by God.

Neither T.E's, Gap Theory proponents or evolution devotee's can explain their way around God's open declaration.  Exodus 20:11 is God's word written by God. 

True that. He did create our immediate universe in 6 days. Nothing is known about anything else. He created our earth from a pre existing water ball. When I paint a picture I am working with the necessary ingredients. It can be said  I still created but I didn’t make the canvas or the paint.

How much time and what was there before that is a mystery. 
When the Bible says God created the heavens in 6 days, I would bet that’s our immediate universe. If it took 6 days to set up one planet I imagine it took much longer to make the gazillions of other planets and galaxies. The age of the distant universe bears this out imo.

[Sparks]

On 8/19/2024 at 11:11 AM, Starise said:

He created our earth from a pre existing water ball.

Where do you get this idea?  Can you point to some 'pre-existing water ball' scripture?

[Starise]

3 hours ago, Sparks said:

Where do you get this idea?  Can you point to some 'pre-existing water ball' scripture?

The earth was there when the Spirit hovered over it, I am not evasive to you. The fact that it was there says something. The fact that it had water is telling from a cosmological perspective.

I have my views which may change over time. I don't have time to go back and forth with you over it. I know what you believe and you know what I believe. 

I was never one to accept the status quo answers from bible seminaries. I am open to all possibilities. God gave us creation for discovery. If something doesn't line up it doesn't line up.

In the end it really doesn't matter if I think the earth might have been around before this or if I think distant stars might not be a part of the creation narrative. It could have been pulled from another distant galaxy. What really matters is that I believe God created all of it and that He is in control of all of it. We don't judge one another's spirituality based on what we think might have been, or at least we shouldn't. 

It could well be I'm wrong due to an overlooked technicality. Time will tell. If you are happy with the story you believe then more power to ya.

 

[enoob57]

@Starise 

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
 
so anything descriptive of this onward is built off of this...

[Starise]

Just now, enoob57 said:

@Starise 

Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
 
so anything descriptive of this onward is built off of this...

 

I get that but there are a few details such as what the translation and meaning of "heaven" is within this context. The KJV says heavens plural while the NIV says heaven. There are several meanings for that word depending on the word it was translated from in addition to context.In addition, the bible doesn't exactly specify the beginning of all stars and galaxies.Most assume it means everything in the entire cosmos, but was it really everything in the cosmos in 6 days? 

One version of heaven is our immediate universe meaning all the planets that make it up. The bible tells us they were given for times and for seasons.Also the various forces at work helped to stabilize things and pull us into the proper orbit around the big nuclear furnace. The is a difference between the beginning for us and the beginning of everything.

The fact that our universe is so large, even in our immediate planetary system and far far beyond it gives way to some speculation on my part. Not doubting the bible, just saying there could have been other possibilities.

[enoob57]

God's Word is all God has said we have as truth

John 17:17 (KJV)

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Thus we give place to Scripture- the ONLY guide for thought... and no thought outside of Scripture as such for guide! Thus, God says 'In >THE< beginning' and we are left with all that has ever began follows. That is why gap theory is outside of Biblical reality because it claims a preexistence but not God's Word supported... any deviation from this reality will produce error... 

This is what God was saying here

Matthew 7:14 (KJV)

[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Psalms 119:105 (KJV)

[105] NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 4:18 (KJV)

[18] But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

I do not find it accident that that is exactly The Structure of Scripture...

[Sparks]

1 hour ago, Starise said:

The earth was there when the Spirit hovered over it, I am not evasive to you.

The Earth started as water, for sure (this counters the Evolutionary story), but what makes you think the water was there, before, and is not just something he made right that second?  No possibility that he whipped up the water and then immediately hovered in, say, 3 seconds?  No chance He was hovering first, and then made water beneath Him?

Consider that if it really is six 24 hour days to creation, as God said, then that's pretty quick to invent it all produce the universe and everything in it.  God said he stretched out the heavens, so really I think of it the other way around, where God probably set an example of 7 days, for our benefit, because He can stand outside of time, and set the Earth in-motion exactly as He wanted it to be.