Do you believe in Adam and Eve?

[truetofaith]

To me, Gen 1 gives an account that is very much in line with how science explains the world evolving, (the water, plants, animals came first etc and then the humans). God creates humans in his image, male and female and commands they be fruitful and multiply, no need to seek any other form of being for his peerless humans.

Gen 2, turns it all around, man comes first, then the animals for the man, so he is not lonely, but then animals aren’t compatable with Adam so God has to make a helper for Adam. God didn’t know that the animals would not be a perfect companion for Adam to create more little humans?

Actually, we are getting nowhere with this topic…so it’s time to say,

 

[KidCatholic1]

Yes, the Church requires the faithful to believe in a literal Adam and Eve, our first parents. That does not mean that Genesis is completely literal. But God did something special to our first parents to make them in his image. To separate us from the Animals.

I personally believe God used evolution to develop the human form, and at the right time he set aside two…Adam and Eve… and breathed their souls into them and they became the first true humans as we know it.

I agree with this. I believe what you believe, more or less. Good post.

 

[carmenp1]

I agree with this. I believe what you believe, more or less. Good post./QUOTE

Let’s see what God says about the animal kingdom. Genesis 1:20 "Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”

So God created great sea creatures, and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, ACCORDING TO THEIR KIND, and every winged bird ACCORDING TO ITS KIND. And God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them, saying “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

So far, God has created fish describing them as being of “a kind” of creature He created. And He describes birds as being of “a kind” of creature too.

Then we read in Genesis 1:24 "Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature ACCORDING TO ITS KIND: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, EACH ACCORDING TO IT’S KIND” Here again we see God distinguishing cattle and creeping things as peculiar to their own kind. Cattle are a certain type of animal, and creeping things are of a different kind. Each creeping thing made up of many varieties of creeping things. As you will find in cattle; many different types of cattle. But you cannot interpret birds, cattle, fish or creeping things as crossing over from cattle to birds and intermingling of the two different kinds of creatures God has created. Nor have birds, fish, cattle or creeping things evolved into all these forms of creatures. The bird is flying, the fish are multiplying. It would be impossible if they had to evolve before they could do these things.

Then God describes the creation of Man. Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, ACCORDING TO OUR LIKENESS; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, (now God explicitly draws a defining line between man and other created creatures and places man in an elevated place of dominion over all the creatures God created prior to creating man) …God continues and says (…dominion over) “over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” According to Our Likeness is undeniably God creating man IN GOD’S KIND.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image; (God emphasises this) in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them (he communicates with man to instruct him) “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth”

To come to the belief that God waited for man to evolve from an ape, you must form your belief by imagining what YOU THINK God did. All of it outside of scripture. You cannot take me to a bible reference upon which you can say to me “I base this belief that man evolved upon this scripture”. Genesis does not detail all the animals God created eg. elephants,dogs, monkeys, apes. We know they were created because we see them.

You are saying, God made a clear distinction between man and the animals by elevating Adam to a place where he had dominion over them but had to wait for apes to evolve into a man that was in the image of God, and had the intelligence to dominate is problematic considering God is so powerful He spoke things into existence.

If God did not intend us to take His Word literally He would not have said this in Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which IS THE WORD OF GOD;” or "1 Timothy 4:5 “…for it is sanctified by the WORD OF GOD and prayer” or Luke 8:11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the WORD OF GOD” or Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD” So which words are God talking about? All of them? Or just specific ones? Confusion is unavoidable.

If God meant some of the word of God not to be taken literally, and other scripture, literally, how does God expect us to know which scripture is not literal? Unless, God intended us to put faith in His Word and understand He expected us to take all of His Word to be literal. That is the only way you don’t end up with scripture contradicting other scripture.

Here is God’s rebuke Mark 7:13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do” The Jews interpreted scripture in a way God did not intend. They interpreted it in a way THAT SUITED THEM. They made God’s Word say what they wanted it to say!

God’s command us:

Luke 4:4 "But Jesus answered him, saying “IT IS WRITTEN, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD” By EVERY word of God.

Could God make it any clearer that His Word is literal. What purpose would it have served for God to tell us stories in some parts of Genesis?

You are believing something that men have imagined and is “non-scriptural” doctrine. Why so easily follow what men have dreamed up when before you, you have the true Word of God. Let God be true, and every man a liar.

Men have turned the Word of God into simple story’s one would use to entertain a child. Is that what you believe? God is a story-teller? He wasn’t smart enough to tell you up front that He waited until monkeys evolved into man before he could finish His Adam and Eve? And just to make it even stranger, God created a dumb ape which He was going to evolve into His Own Image??? I don’t think so!

What is the truth? A lot hinges on it!

Carmen

 

[grannymh]

The Catholic Church seeks Divine Revelation within Sacred Scripture, for example the first three chapters of Genesis. In declaring and defining Divine Revelation, it follows the protocol of seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit as promised in chapter 14, Gospel of John. This takes place within major ecumenical Church Councils.

Divine Revelation is not only meant for the early history of the Hebrews. It is meant for all people regardless of when they are born. Therefore, the Catholic Church looks for the Divine truth in the descriptive words.

 

[carmenp1]

The Catholic Church seeks Divine Revelation within Sacred Scripture, for example the first three chapters of Genesis. In declaring and defining Divine Revelation, it follows the protocol of seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit as promised in chapter 14, Gospel of John. This takes place within major ecumenical Church Councils.

Divine Revelation is not only meant for the early history of the Hebrews. It is meant for all people regardless of when they are born. Therefore, the Catholic Church looks for the Divine truth in the descriptive words.

The book of Genises is the book of firsts. The first marriage, first covenant, and quoted literally by Jesus often.

A bible study on Genesis is worth listening to as you will discover some wonderful gems of understanding.

Stephen Armstrong has many bible studies. Verse by verse bible study on Genesis is something you don’t want to miss. You can download his Verse by verse bible studies from Stephen Armstrong’s website free.

His bible study on Genesis will provide a lot of compelling information that takes you thru the account of Genesis in a systematic, disciplined way. Verse by verse. Enjoy!
Carmen

 

[grannymh]

Clarification

The theory of ape to man has been modified because of genetic technology. Because of the genetic relationship found in vertebrates, when it comes down to the point of separating humans from animals, both humans and some animal species came from a large breeding population known as a common ancestor. There are various population steps between the common ancestor population and the final population of humans.

The Catholic Church opposes the current science theory that the originating human population was in the hundreds to thousands. The Catholic doctrine is that the originating human population is a population of two, lovingly known as Adam and Eve.

The word polygenism in Humani Generis, paragraph 37, includes the necessity of a population needed for polygenism. The existence of a historical Adam and Eve is maintained in “the sources of revealed truth and the documents of the Teaching Authority of the Church” (Humani Generis, # 37 and footnote 12),

 

[truetofaith]

KidCatholic1;12754475:

I agree with this. I believe what you believe, more or less. Good post.

Hi Carmen,
Your explanation is excellent! I have said the same thing, but not in all the detail. Too time consuming.
I just hope people read it and can see how simple the Bible is to understand. I also hope you didn’t waste your time, because people are set in their own beliefs and even though you made it so simple to follow, I know there are some here who will keep the controversy going!

 

[truetofaith]

I’m sick & tired of all the controversy and Bull S—, on this Catholic Answers website…and I am just about ready to leave, before I lose my belief in God!

There’s a thread about giving up CAF for Lent…I am seriously thinking about doing it for good!

 

[grannymh]

I’m sick & tired of all the controversy and Bull S—, on this Catholic Answers website…and I am just about ready to leave, before I lose my belief in God!

There’s a thread about giving up CAF for Lent…I am seriously thinking about doing it for good!

Since I first landed on CAF, there have been posters who give up CAF for Lent. That can be a very wise decision. After Lent, you again have the opportunity to choose.

For me, the "anti-Catholic doctrines tripe is overwhelming at times. However, being a cranky (feminine of snarky) older than dirt granny, I flat out refuse to be intimidated. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But I am stubborn.

:snowing:

 

[simpleas]

So if we take Gen 1 and 2 regarding creation as literal, why do we not believe and take as literal ALL of the writings in the bible?

 

[grannymh]

So if we take Gen 1 and 2 regarding creation as literal, why do we not believe and take as literal ALL of the writings in the bible?

Literal Scripture verses are not a big issue in the Catholic Church.

 

[grannymh]

So if we take Gen 1 and 2 regarding creation as literal, why do we not believe and take as literal ALL of the writings in the bible?

In the Catholic Church, literal is not necessarily a huge issue.
The Catholic Church defines its teachings according to *Divine Revelation *
not personal interpretation of what is literal or not literal.

 

[carmenp1]

carmenp1;12757738:

Hi Carmen,
Your explanation is excellent! I have said the same thing, but not in all the detail. Too time consuming.
I just hope people read it and can see how simple the Bible is to understand. I also hope you didn’t waste your time, because people are set in their own beliefs and even though you made it so simple to follow, I know there are some here who will keep the controversy going!

Thank you. If even 1 person is helped to read their bible believing every word God says is true, it was time well spent.
Without that faith and child like trust God demands from us, how can God honour our faith. I have seen God do the impossible for me so I know God honours faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Carmen

 

[Thorolfr]

If even 1 person is helped to read their bible believing every word God says is true, it was time well spent.

How can every word be true?

For example, in Matthew 26:75, it says, “Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”

But in Mark 14:72, it says, “At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”

So what did Jesus say? Did he say, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Or did he say, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” How many times did the cock crow before Peter denied Jesus? Once or twice?

 

[simpleas]

In the Catholic Church, literal is not necessarily a huge issue.
The Catholic Church defines its teachings according to *Divine Revelation *
not personal interpretation of what is literal or not literal.

Thanks.

Just seemed that some posters were suggesting that the whole bible must be the actual literal word of God and one should believe every word in order to have faith in God.

 

[truetofaith]

How can every word be true?

For example, in Matthew 26:75, it says, “Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”

But in Mark 14:72, it says, “At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”

So what did Jesus say? Did he say, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Or did he say, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” How many times did the cock crow before Peter denied Jesus? Once or twice?

Don’t you people realize the 4 gospels are eye witness reports of what happened? Just like at the scene of an accident one eye witness has more information than another. It doesn’t make it wrong…it is reported from a different vantage point & how many times the cock crowed may have been more important to one writer than to another!

 

[truetofaith]

So if we take Gen 1 and 2 regarding creation as literal, why do we not believe and take as literal ALL of the writings in the bible?

I do…when Jesus made the blind man SEE, I believe he saw with his once blind eyes …not that he saw ( understood ) …what Jesus was saying.

 

[Thorolfr]

Don’t you people realize the 4 gospels are eye witness reports of what happened? Just like at the scene of an accident one eye witness has more information than another. It doesn’t make it wrong…it is reported from a different vantage point & how many times the cock crowed may have been more important to one writer than to another!

Then if they are all just eye witness accounts, some of these witnesses probably reported some of these things incorrectly or misremembered some of what happened. That would mean that there are some errors in the Bible just like all eye witness accounts even now can have some mistakes.

 

[Contarini]

Don’t you people realize the 4 gospels are eye witness reports of what happened?

What makes you think that?

There are good reasons to think they are based on eyewitness reports, but they seem unlikely to be written by eyewitnesses directly in the form we have them.

Edwin

 

[truetofaith]

What makes you think that?

There are good reasons to think they are based on eyewitness reports, but they seem unlikely to be written by eyewitnesses directly in the form we have them.

Edwin

That’s what I learned in Catholic school…Matt, Mark, Luke & John gave their accounts which were inspired by God, so they would have no error.