Debunking The Bible: The Atheist Challenge - Genesis 1:1
The atheist response to the text of the Bible is based primarily upon the young earth creationist interpretation, which is flawed. If I put myself objectively in the position of the atheist attempting to debunk the Bible I would start with Genesis Chapter 1. The Chapter passed the inspection of this former atheist.
The Hebrew verb consists of two different states. The perfect state indicates an action which is complete, whereas the imperfect state indicates a continuous or incomplete action.
At Genesis 1:1 the word bara, translated as created, is in the perfect state, which means that at this point the creation of the heavens and the Earth were completed. Later, as in verse 16 the Hebrew word asah, translated as made, is used, which is in the imperfect state, indicating continuous action. The heavens and Earth were created in verse 1 and an indeterminate time later they were being prepared for habitation, much the same as a bed is manufactured (complete) and made (continuous) afterwards.
What this means is that the creation was complete even before the six "days" of creation even began, in fact, later verses in the chapter reveal it was more than likely a long time in between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by David Henson on -
Donald,
You have to realize that when talking to me, a great deal of the religious bullshit you are objecting to in one way or another is the same bullshit I object to only I all the more because the religious bullshit you have become accustomed to through the traditional replaces the truth.
This is difficult for you to understand because you can't see the truth for all of the shit it is buried beneath. God isn't really omniscient, omnipotent and certainly not omnipresent.
-
Permalink Reply by jared manley on -
I think I'm starting to understand you. You think god is an ancient alien don't ya?
-
Permalink Reply by Pope OoO (Out of Order) on -
WOW, that image came back later, while I was scooping from my guac dip.
-
Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on -
-
Permalink Reply by Ed on -
"God isn't really omniscient, omnipotent and certainly not omnipresent."
This statement is a whopper of sorts. Three of the most important qualities for a supernatural being, worthy of worship, to possess are now not necessary or important. What are these limitations you speak of? Is this why he is incapable of healing the sick and feeding the starving masses throughout the world? Now it makes sense.
-
Permalink Reply by RobertPiano on -
Yeah...I'm thinking Chuck Norris can probably take him
-
Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on
-
@Robert - why not? Jacob did, and he was 97! (Gen 22:36)
-
Permalink Reply by SteveInCO on -
To "debunk" would surely mean something along the lines of "to remove all the bunk from" right? so that'd involve moving the key piece of furniture out of a dorm, barracks, or what-have-you.
On a more serious note, I have read of this particular interpretation of 1 genesis before... you are basically looking at 1:1 as though it were a simple statement, rather than a summary of what immediately follows. I'll leave it to a professional linguist (which I am not, I don't even play one on TV) to decide how plausible this is; remembering your cockup in another thread re: Firmament I will remain skeptical that you have any notion what you are talking about.
-
Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on -
There isn't a period of time between the occurrences of Gen 1:1 and Gen 1:2, David - the two narratives come from different sources - actually the break point between the two sources comes about a verse late, as those were added much later. This is attested to by all scholars of linguistics who have made a study of the problem and your inspection of these texts is meaningless since you have no education on these matters. My inspection is irrelevant as well, which is why I rely on the inspection of scholars in the relevant fields.
If you are prepared to actually engage the academic studies of these passages and what they reveal then there is a discussion to be had. If, in line with our previous discussions, you throw out all academic study of the text in favour of your Liberty U/Hovind-type sources then we might as well be discussing which colour of faerie wing is more aerodynamic.
-
Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on
-
@Heather - RE: "Liberty U" - Are you sure it isn't Patriot University?
What's new today
Forum
Why do atheists ask for so much proof to believe in God?
Started by Mercedes in Welcome to Think Atheist. Last reply by James 34 minutes ago. 303 Replies 0 Likes
Blog Posts
How Jesus' Views on Marriage Proves Yahweh's Laws are NOT Absolute OR Jesus is Mistaken
Posted by Cathy Cooper on May 17, 2013 at 10:00am 3 Comments 0 Likes
Events
Services we love
Check out our new mobile/tablet version of Think Atheist! www.ThinkAtheist.com/m
© 2013 Created by Morgan Matthew.
