How the Great Flood many have happened?

[_LittleNipper]

One of the ironic aspects about the current creationists' obsessive determination to dismiss modern concepts of geology as inherently anti-religious is that James Hutton, the Father of Modern Geology, was far from anti-religious. He was a devout theist and Christian who claimed his views were inspired, in part, by his religious convictions. See http://www1.umn.edu/ships/religion/hutton.htm.

Here is a quote from the article I linked to:

Can we separate Hutton's science from his theology or religion? Yes, perhaps, we can do so. But it is hard to imagine how it would have been otherwise for Hutton. To dismiss Hutton's theology would be to dismiss his discoveries.

My educated guess is that Hutten realized that GOD created the Earth in 6 days, and set HIS identity on it by giving to HIS creation a sense of eternity. Hutton, from this article doesn't seem to be accepting that the earth is billions of years old, only that it illustrates its Creator very well by seeming eternal. Obviously, the earth has not always been here, nor will it always be here. Hutton seems to be saying that it just "appears" like it always has been and always will.

[_Gunnar]

My educated guess is that Hutten relealized that GOD created the Earth in 6 days and set HIS identity on it by giving to HIS creation a sense of eternity. Hutton from this article doesn't seem to be accepting that the earth is billions of years old, only that it illustrates its Creator very well by seeming eternal.

My guess is that your guess is not educated at all, and reveals how little you know about Hutton, his theology and his scientific discoveries and theories (not to mention, how little you know about and understand science, in general).

[_LittleNipper]

The fact is that the vast majority of even devoutly religious geologists accept the conclusions of modern geology, including the fact that the earth is 4.5 billion years old. They accept that the Bible was never intended to be a science textbook, and is full of allegories and parables that were probably never intended by their authors to be taken literally.

Why, then, do some cling so tenaciously to literal and uncritical acceptance of every word in the Bible? Are they really afraid that they will suffer an eternity of torment in Hell for doubting Biblical inerrancy? Why should the Judeo/Christian scriptures be unquestioningly given more credence than any other ancient, "holy scriptures", some of which are of even greater antiquity?

The only "fact" I note is that a vast majority of devotedly religious geologists accept the conclusions of modern geology... However, there is no actual proof that that earth is 4.5 billion years old---- so that cannot be considered a fact, but a self educated assumption, and not having to do with faith in God, but a kind of religious devotion to their own research and determinations. Some do cling to a literal acceptance in every word of the Bible, because God reveals Himself in Christ through that Word, as the Word. And people who accept the Word are actually changed in their character and system of values. Other "holy" scriptures are in fact not holy at all, as they have failed to change anyone completely around. To cause a person to not dread death and love one's enemies, even helping them, is rather unusual.

[_LittleNipper]

My educated guess is that Hutten relealized that GOD created the Earth in 6 days and set HIS identity on it by giving to HIS creation a sense of eternity. Hutton from this article doesn't seem to be accepting that the earth is billions of years old, only that it illustrates its Creator very well by seeming eternal.

My guess is that your guess is not educated at all, and reveals how little you know about Hutton, his theology and his scientific discoveries and theories (not to mention, how little you know about and understand science, in general).

The truth in science is only fully proven if one can duplicate an experiment over and over getting the very same results. Values and opinions of what such outcomes might actually mean are still just assumptions unless one can observe the event. No scientist has ever created life from inert substances. Yet, it is widly accepted by a vast majority of scientists that such is indeed a "fact." This is of course not a fact. It has never been observed, and yet without God, what other explanation can there be for them. If Hutton did not believe in a literal 6 day creation, he was not embracing God at all --- any more than satan could give the world to Jesus Christ --- if Jesus would fall down & worship him. The world isn't satan's to give, and a scientist's theories are not fact. There is no safety in numbers. For broad is the way which leads to destruction and many go in there at. Not a comforting thought to someone so devoted to one's own work agreeing with that of everyone else.

[Guest]

There is no safety in numbers. For broad is the way which leads to destruction and many go in there at. Not a comforting thought to someone so devoted to one's own work agreeing with that of everyone else.

If you foolishly think that any, even religiously inclined geologists, accept the 4.5 billion year age of the earth only because they are ". . .devoted to one's own work agreeing with that of everyone else", that only underscores your profound disdain for and lack of understanding of science, the scientific process and scientists themselves. Not one of these geologists has any serious doubts that the evidence supporting the 4.5 billion age of the earth is extremely compelling and conclusive. If that evidence indeed conflicts with the Bible, that only destroys the credibility of the claim that the Bible is divinely inspired--just as surely as if the Bible insisted that the earth is stationary and cannot move (which, in fact, it does insist--look up the following scriptures)

1 Chronicles 16:30: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable.”

Psalm 93:1: “Thou hast fixed the earth immovable and firm ...”

Psalm 96:10: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable ...”

Psalm 104:5: “Thou didst fix the earth on its foundation so that it never can be shaken.”

Isaiah 45:18: “...who made the earth and fashioned it, and himself fixed it fast...”

I don't see how you can deny that without coming up with some very convoluted mental gymnastics that would, at least, amount to an admission that not every word in the Bible can be taken to be literally true and/or inerrant.

As for relying on the credibility of Hutton versus yours, I would go with Hutton's (or that of any other scientist) over yours without hesitation. What compelling justification can you give me for concluding that your determination of what is or isn't God's word is infallible?

[_Gunnar]

Other "holy" scriptures are in fact not holy at all, as they have failed to change anyone completely around. To cause a person to not dread death and love one's enemies, even helping them, is rather unusual.

I'm sure there are literally billions of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. who would vehemently disagree with you that studying their own "holy" scriptures has failed to profoundly affect and change anyone for the better. In my local community, for example, there are a large number of Sikhs, and they are some of the kindest, most generous and admirable people I know. They are highly respected around here, and one of them even successfully ran for Mayor, and served out his term admirably and honorably, as far as I could tell.

[_LittleNipper]

Other "holy" scriptures are in fact not holy at all, as they have failed to change anyone completely around. To cause a person to not dread death and love one's enemies, even helping them, is rather unusual.

I'm sure there are literally billions of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. who would vehemently disagree with you that studying their own "holy" scriptures has failed to profoundly affect and change anyone for the better. In my local community, for example, there are a large number of Sikhs, and they are some of the kindest, most generous and admirable people I know. They are highly respected around here, and one of them even successfully ran for Mayor, and served out his term admirably and honorably, as far as I could tell.

Just because a person does good works, doesn't demonstrate change. I'm speaking of a person who lived a rough life and turns to God for forgiveness and repented. People can live "good" clean lives and believe they are better than others, but then they are contented with themselves and their own merits. That shows no change and many are not willing to deal with "outsiders" unless it suits their own purposes. I know of real Christians who understand that God has blessed the nation of Israel. The Muslim is willing to play second fiddle to a special people chosen of God ----- or only when they are the "chosen " group..?

[_bcuzbcuz]

Just because a person does good works, doesn't demonstrate change. I'm speaking of a person who lived a rough life and turns to God for forgiveness and repented. People can live "good" clean lives and believe they are better than others, but then they are contented with themselves and their own merits. That shows no change and many are not willing to deal with "outsiders" unless it suits their own purposes. I know of real Christians who understand that God has blessed the nation of Israel. The Muslim is willing to play second fiddle to a special people chosen of God ----- or only when they are the "chosen " group..?

Thankfully, you're not the person in charge of records as to who has lived according to God's precepts or not. The idea that Israel, as a nation, is being blessed by God would automatically disqualify you as being a dispassionate, unbiased, judge. Have you ever been to Israel? Have you been to Palestine? Do you read any news other than American sources? Go to an Israeli nightclub at 2 am and watch with a dispassionate eye. Go to any border crossing and try to see the humanity involved and not just uniforms and preconceived ideas of how people dress. Watch as women and children are humiliated, spat upon, de-robed in public. Then tell me who is the chosen people.

[_LittleNipper]

Just because a person does good works, doesn't demonstrate change. I'm speaking of a person who lived a rough life and turns to God for forgiveness and repented. People can live "good" clean lives and believe they are better than others, but then they are contented with themselves and their own merits. That shows no change and many are not willing to deal with "outsiders" unless it suits their own purposes. I know of real Christians who understand that God has blessed the nation of Israel. The Muslim is willing to play second fiddle to a special people chosen of God ----- or only when they are the "chosen " group..?

Thankfully, you're not the person in charge of records as to who has lived according to God's precepts or not. The idea that Israel, as a nation, is being blessed by God would automatically disqualify you as being a dispassionate, unbiased, judge. Have you ever been to Israel? Have you been to Palestine? Do you read any news other than American sources? Go to an Israeli nightclub at 2 am and watch with a dispassionate eye. Go to any border crossing and try to see the humanity involved and not just uniforms and preconceived ideas of how people dress. Watch as women and children are humiliated, spat upon, de-robed in public. Then tell me who is the chosen people.

First off, I have a problem with people hanging out in bars all night, so I'm not very sympathetic. It must be understood that "Palestine" was nearly a waste land with few people even living there until Jews began to filter back to the area. And unfortunately, Muslims are known to load themselves and their children up with explosives and murder randomly. The Jews didn't even do that to the Nazis, it is ungodly. I'm sure Jews and Arabs can work together in peace and as friends, but the Arabs must accept Israel as the historic national home of the Hebrews and not cause harm. My parents and some friends have been to Israel. They found it to be a wonderful place, full of Bible history.

[_PrickKicker]

The flood may have happened because God sitting on his cloud in the sky, which also doubles as an intergalactic spaceship he uses to get here from his house near kolob, cried and cried because of all the sins his adopted children were doing... he was so upset that he decided to do what he loves best and kill them all with his tears.

Then once they were all dead, he smiled and a rainbow appeared he repented and promised not to do it again and he hasn't.

True praise!
Praise Jesus!
Hallelujah!
Justice and Mercy!
How wise and wonderful the mysteries of the Lord are.