Wally: "Then why did the writers have this long list of "begats" and why did
Luke cite them and why did Paul look upon Adam as a real person? "
>From my POV, the long list of begats was simply part of the folk story.
Meaningful to the ancient Hebrews to see from whence they came. Lke cited
them either (1) for the same reason or (2) because he saw them as history.
Paul (1) did not necessarily look on Adam as a real single person or (2) did
so because that was the accepted history at the time.
"We do agree that Genesis has a great message to tell. We just see a
different message."
You seem to see the message of Gen 1-11 as being a lesson in history. I see
it as a statement that (1) there is one God, (2) That God is Who created
everything,(3) human beings are flawed -- fatally flawed. And there are
other messages, but those three seem (to me) to be primary. And even if Gen
1-11 were historically and scientifically accutate, those messages appear to
be of substantially more importance than any apparent historical or
scientific information.
As I understand my ICR friend Duane Gish, and I've discussed this with him
in face to face (friendly) meetings, he sees a literal Gen 1-11 as a belief
foundational to Xtianity. Take that from him, and his relationship with God
suffers -- perhaps even collapses. But, I argued with him, and now do with
you, Xtianity is not a propositional (believe this or be dammed) religion
but a confessional one. We are called (Acts 1) to be a witness, not a
lawyer, much less a prosecutor.
Cordially,
John
Hoss (aka Burgy)
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