Seems to me if Christianity is to survive the current clash of religious politics (between evangelicals and critical thinkers) Dr Enns is one of the few faith leaders equipped to guide us forward.
While I appreciate Dr Enns' attempt to harmonize science and Genesis, I have some reservations on his approach. For one, it occurs to me that 10K or so years ago at the dawn of the Neolithic age, sea level were much lower. If civilizations then were like most of human history in that people tend to congregate near sea shores, then much of human archeology is now buried under water, and the bits that archeologists dig up represents not the center, but backwater aspects of civilization. So there is much more that we don't know than what we know regarding early human civilization. Along these lines, I'm struck by Genesis 2's rather precise description of Eden (also Gen 13:10, comparing the Jordan Valley to "the Garden of God"), leading many to speculate a location in the northern end of the Persian Gulf. A literal Eden might imply a literal Adam and Eve of some sort. The geology of the Persian Gulf is also interesting with respect to the Bible's description of the flood, with it's aquifers. The 8.2 kiloyear event triggered by a large meltwater pulse would have caused almost instantaneous sea level rise of several meters, as well as global cooling, is one possibility of the origin of these flood stories (along with other meltwater pulse events). The other issue I have is regarding the "talking snake." While I acknowledge that Jews may only see a snake here, Christians have long understood this creature to be Satan (Rev 12:9; see also Michael S Heiser's comments on this topic).
The looks on the faces of some people in the audience is truly disturbing, I’m waiting for some to lose it. As a British Christian I don’t understand why Americans are the way they are? And they’re legally allowed them to own guns? Insane!
I can see the stern looks on the audience, Americans can’t deal with diverse thinking without their brains blowing up. I’m glad Lewis Black isn’t doing a gig there they’d have a meltdown.
Why Americans? I could see a lot of stern looks on faces in my evangelical church in Ireland. What’s he saying exactly? He believes in evolution as the process of creation? He says he’s not an expert in this but seems to talk like one or as if he is one. So there was no first man and woman hey? The problem with scholars like this, theologians, is that they forget that the vast majority of born again Christians, because there is no other type, are simple people, even the more academic among us. But he writes as if his understanding of God has been faulty all along and he’s just now discovering the knowledge the rest of us lack? Yeah.. most people in evangelical circles know who menmoinedes is. Not. We all can’t devote our lives to study theology and philosophy in seminaries. Some of us have to work for a living.. with our hands. So I’m sure God is aware of that when he gave us the scriptures.
@davidg4876 - For you to say that God didn't write the Bible but rather men wrote it is to present you with an interesting dilemma. II Pet 1:20-21 shows that men were moved by God the Holy Spirit to write what they wrote . So whom are you doubting, God or the translators? It requires FAiTH to settle the matter and if you don't have FAITH , you will always have your dilemma. Follow what you read in Heb 11:6 or else remain in your state of confusion!
He assumes the science is correct o this topic. Some scientists disagree with the mainstream narrative. Just like climate change, nor all agree. If we can't have a literal understanding of Genesis then should we literally believe Jesus was born of a virgin, that He was crucified and died the rose from the dead. Maybe all the miracles were metaphors?. Or its all true.
It is not God who wrote the Bible, but men. The only true book written by God is the book of Nature. This is the only truth we must follow if we respect God and his will. Only the disbelievers take as divine word a book written by men. Do not follow the false prophets, those who speak in the name of God.
You put your trust, confidence, faith in the book of nature? How will nature cure the human condition of sin that leads to death? Since it's a given, we will all die. It's an honest question.
@beethaniel Question still stands, why are we all going to die someday? What in the human condition causes us to die? Is there a life after this one? Again, honest questions.
Plain common sense shows us that many of the absurd statements of this uninformed skeptic should be rejected as utterly untenable. Here's hoping that most who hear him will resort to more sustainable logic in their attempt to understand the deep things of our infinite Maker.
As I go through my faith deconstruction, Pete Enns is a breath of fresh air.
Thank you for a well grounded, coherent, and sensible talk !
As usual Dr Enns is bringing his arguments through sound hermeneutics. Thank you for a wonderful lecture.
It seems to me that his hermeneutic is interpreting the Bible through science. How sound is that?
THE BEST presentation I’ve heard on the topic. Thank you SO much!
Seems to me if Christianity is to survive the current clash of religious politics (between evangelicals and critical thinkers) Dr Enns is one of the few faith leaders equipped to guide us forward.
Its interesting how some people use the opportunity for questions as a platform for promoting their own work.
She wound me up.
Couldn’t agree more
While I appreciate Dr Enns' attempt to harmonize science and Genesis, I have some reservations on his approach.
For one, it occurs to me that 10K or so years ago at the dawn of the Neolithic age, sea level were much lower. If civilizations then were like most of human history in that people tend to congregate near sea shores, then much of human archeology is now buried under water, and the bits that archeologists dig up represents not the center, but backwater aspects of civilization. So there is much more that we don't know than what we know regarding early human civilization.
Along these lines, I'm struck by Genesis 2's rather precise description of Eden (also Gen 13:10, comparing the Jordan Valley to "the Garden of God"), leading many to speculate a location in the northern end of the Persian Gulf. A literal Eden might imply a literal Adam and Eve of some sort.
The geology of the Persian Gulf is also interesting with respect to the Bible's description of the flood, with it's aquifers. The 8.2 kiloyear event triggered by a large meltwater pulse would have caused almost instantaneous sea level rise of several meters, as well as global cooling, is one possibility of the origin of these flood stories (along with other meltwater pulse events).
The other issue I have is regarding the "talking snake." While I acknowledge that Jews may only see a snake here, Christians have long understood this creature to be Satan (Rev 12:9; see also Michael S Heiser's comments on this topic).
That woman for crying out loud,ASK A QUESTION.
The looks on the faces of some people in the audience is truly disturbing, I’m waiting for some to lose it. As a British Christian I don’t understand why Americans are the way they are? And they’re legally allowed them to own guns? Insane!
I can see the stern looks on the audience, Americans can’t deal with diverse thinking without their brains blowing up. I’m glad Lewis Black isn’t doing a gig there they’d have a meltdown.
Why Americans? I could see a lot of stern looks on faces in my evangelical church in Ireland. What’s he saying exactly? He believes in evolution as the process of creation? He says he’s not an expert in this but seems to talk like one or as if he is one. So there was no first man and woman hey? The problem with scholars like this, theologians, is that they forget that the vast majority of born again Christians, because there is no other type, are simple people, even the more academic among us. But he writes as if his understanding of God has been faulty all along and he’s just now discovering the knowledge the rest of us lack? Yeah.. most people in evangelical circles know who menmoinedes is. Not. We all can’t devote our lives to study theology and philosophy in seminaries. Some of us have to work for a living.. with our hands. So I’m sure God is aware of that when he gave us the scriptures.
I frown when I think deeply. The frown does not mean I feel stern or disagree.
@davidg4876 - For you to say that God didn't write the Bible but rather men wrote it is to present you with an interesting dilemma. II Pet 1:20-21 shows that men were moved by God the Holy Spirit to write what they wrote . So whom are you doubting, God or the translators? It requires FAiTH to settle the matter and if you don't have FAITH , you will always have your dilemma. Follow what you read in Heb 11:6 or else remain in your state of confusion!
He assumes the science is correct o this topic. Some scientists disagree with the mainstream narrative. Just like climate change, nor all agree.
If we can't have a literal understanding of Genesis then should we literally believe Jesus was born of a virgin, that He was crucified and died the rose from the dead. Maybe all the miracles were metaphors?.
Or its all true.
It is not God who wrote the Bible, but men. The only true book written by God is the book of Nature. This is the only truth we must follow if we respect God and his will. Only the disbelievers take as divine word a book written by men. Do not follow the false prophets, those who speak in the name of God.
You put your trust, confidence, faith in the book of nature? How will nature cure the human condition of sin that leads to death? Since it's a given, we will all die. It's an honest question.
Sin is a made up concept, based on ancient concepts. It's an outdated concept and should be forgotten.
@beethaniel Question still stands, why are we all going to die someday? What in the human condition causes us to die? Is there a life after this one? Again, honest questions.
@@garyp.9073 when a human dies, it's body decays. We are our body. We don't anywhere.
@@beethaniel I'll stick with salvation thru Christ.
Plain common sense shows us that many of the absurd statements of this uninformed skeptic should be rejected as utterly untenable. Here's hoping that most who hear him will resort to more sustainable logic in their attempt to understand the deep things of our infinite Maker.
Earth is flat and motionless. This guy is a total liar.