Originally posted by KellyJayAs long as you concede it's cherry picking, I'm not sure it matters whether you're "right" or "wrong". 🙂
I do believe there are metaphors and similes in the Bible, but I also believe that some stories are stories because they speak of real events. Now, can I be wrong about some and not others, yes
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by KellyJayI've given you several examples of why it probably isn't a real tree and you have given none as to why it is. Can you provide some scriptural corroboration to back up your claim that it is a real tree? Or is you statement that you could be wrong, mere pious posturing?
No, I believe it was/is a real tree.
Kelly
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by divegeesterIf you have questions about the Bible, maybe you should take them to your minister.
But the tree, WAS the tree of life, the tree that gave eternal life and for healing. The WAY to the tree was guarded by cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way. Jesus is the WAY and the LIFE and the word of god is described as a sword so sharp it divided bone and marrow.
Do you think the flaming sword is also a literal sword? Do you thin ...[text shortened]... more importantly WHY would it be depicted so in a book titled "the revelation of Jesus Christ"?
Yeah, I went there, so sue me.
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by divegeesterI'm not your spiritual advisor.
Do you believe that the tree of life was/is a real tree planted in soil with roots and 12 types of life giving fruits and healing leaves?
Your only goal in asking me this is to ridicule me if you do not agree with me, as has been shown here with others already.
The atheists also feel comfortable in joining in with your ridicule, so I'll pass, thanks.
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by SuzianneHave I ridiculed anyone?
I'm not your spiritual advisor.
Your only goal in asking me this is to ridicule me if you do not agree with me, as has been shown here with others already.
The atheists also feel comfortable in joining in with your ridicule, so I'll pass, thanks.
What is ridiculous, is when theists adamantly and stubbornly believe something which is contradictory to their theological position and they don't even realise it.
If you don't want to discuss the topic in hand then why are you in this thread?
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by divegeesterThe topic at hand seems to me to be that you have questions. Questions that you ask not because you seek answers, but because you have your opinion already set and wish to argue. If I'm wrong and you do seek answers, then perhaps you need to ask someone better versed in this issue. All you will get here is a cross-section of opinions. This is a place to confront the "man-on-the-street" about what he thinks, and if you want to encourage participation, perhaps you should be careful in how you respond to others who do participate.
Have I ridiculed anyone?
What is ridiculous, is when theists adamantly and stubbornly believe something which is contradictory to their theological position and they don't even realise it.
If you don't want to discuss the topic in hand then why are you in this thread?
As I said, if you really actually want "spiritual advice" perhaps you need to look elsewhere.
Originally posted by SuzianneThis is a debate forum; if you read the thread from the start you will see that it was an open question from me about the soil in the GoE which developed into certain theists challenging me on my acceptance of biblical literal texts.
The topic at hand seems to me to be that you have questions. Questions that you ask not because you seek answers, but because you have your opinion already set and wish to argue. If I'm wrong and you [b]do seek answers, then perhaps you need to ask someone better versed in this issue. All you will get here is a cross-section of opinions. This ...[text shortened]...
As I said, if you really actually want "spiritual advice" perhaps you need to look elsewhere.[/b]
I was explaining what I didn't think was literal and if you really make the effort to actually read the thread instead of jumping in here and trying your half-assed posting equivalent of 'Kung-fu' on me, you will see posters such as Galveston claiming he has "never heard anything like it" when I suggested certain things in genesis may be symbolic. He then backtracked when challenged and then avoided the topic as usual.
Then in steps Kelly with his typical muddled contradictory obstinacy, which I am addressing.
This is a debating forum Suzianne, and as you are very well aware, there is conflict associated with it. If you don't like this conflict, have insufficient interest in the topic or simply lack the intellectual stamina to contend, then I politely suggest it may be you who needs to look elsewhere.
17 Aug 14
1 edit
Originally posted by KellyJayRight, all Adam had to do was to say No... but as I'm sure you already know it can often be difficult* to say 'no' to a woman.
As I read the text I do not blame Eve, but Adam who was there and had
that conversation with God who should have stopped her.
Kelly
*problematic
17 Aug 14
1 edit
Originally posted by divegeesterSo let me be clear I'm saying that the trees in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden are symbolic.
I'm not suggesting anything lemon lime I'm being completely up front and coherent unlike most of the other theists in this thread. So let me be clear I'm saying that the trees in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden are symbolic.
Do you think the "tree of Life" which was guarded by cherubim was a real life giving tree with roots for its nutrients and planted in the "dirt" (as you put it)?
Symbolic of what? Simply repeating that trees are symbolic doesn't answer my question.
I was also completely up front and coherent when I said it wasn't necessarily a supernatural event. The act of disobedience in and of itself could have been the key to gaining knowledge of evil. And without knowing evil how can anyone know what is 'good'? How can you define the word 'up' if you have no knowledge or understanding of 'down'?
17 Aug 14
1 edit
Originally posted by lemon lime[Top line]The tree of the KoG&E is symbolic of man's prideful independent decision making on matters of righteousness, and the ToL is symbolic of God himself, with the WAY to the tree being Jesus and the guarding sword being the word of god.
[b]So let me be clear I'm saying that the trees in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden are symbolic.
Symbolic of what? Simply repeating that trees are symbolic doesn't answer my question.
I was also completely up front and coherent when I said it wasn't necessarily a supernatural event. The act of disobedience in and of itself could ...[text shortened]... s 'good'? How could you define the word 'up' if you had no knowledge or understanding of 'down'?[/b]
17 Aug 14
2 edits
Originally posted by divegeesterDo you think the "tree of Life" which was guarded by cherubim was a real life giving tree with roots for its nutrients and planted in the "dirt" (as you put it)?
I'm not suggesting anything lemon lime I'm being completely up front and coherent unlike most of the other theists in this thread. So let me be clear I'm saying that the trees in the Genesis account of the Garden of Eden are symbolic.
Do you think the "tree of Life" which was guarded by cherubim was a real life giving tree with roots for its nutrients and planted in the "dirt" (as you put it)?
What do you mean as I put it? Composition of soil was a different question.
As I have already said (up front and coherently) the event could have been both symbolic and real. And as I've already pointed out (up front and coherently) God is not limited to doing only one thing or another, so there's no reason for me to believe it couldn't have been a real event having symbolic significance.
17 Aug 14
Originally posted by lemon limeStop hedging.
God is not limited to only one thing or another, so there's no reason for me to believe it couldn't have been a real event having symbolic significance.[/b]
I'm not contesting the symbolic significance, I'm contesting that these were real trees. If you feel you can demonstrate in scripture how the tree of life is a real tree with 12 real different life giving fruits and healing leaves, which is on both sides of a river...then please feel free to do so.
17 Aug 14
Has anyone here ever wondered why the Garden of Eden was called a garden?
I know what the word 'garden' means to me. If I have a little plot of land (dirt) outside my back door I could allow it to be barren or grow wild, or fix it up for agriculture... or I could make it into a garden.
What is the purpose of a garden, and is the garden outside my back door symbolic or real?