Friday, May 22
Read Ellen G. White, “The Creation”, pp. 44-51; “The Literal Week”, pp. 111-116, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
“The cumulative evidence, based on comparative, literary, linguistic and other considerations, converges on every level, leading to the singular conclusion that the designation yôm, 'day’, in Genesis 1 means consistently a literal 24-hour day.
The author of Genesis 1 could not have produced more comprehensive and all-inclusive ways to express the idea of a literal 'day’ than the ones that were chosen.” Gerhard F. Hasel, “The 'Days’ of Creation in Genesis 1: Literal 'Days’ or Figurative 'Periods/Epochs’ of Time?” Origins 21/1 [1994], pp. 30, 31
“The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because these cannot be explained by natural laws, Bible history is pronounced unreliable.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 257.4
Discussion Questions:
1. Look at the Ellen G. White quote above. How often, even today, do we see exactly what she wrote, even among professed Christians who, in face of the claims of science, will automatically take the claims of science over the biblical account, which would, as she wrote, imply that biblical history “is unreliable”?
2. Why is it impossible to take the Bible seriously while accepting theistic evolution? If you know a theistic evolutionist who claims to be a Christian, why not ask him or her to explain the Cross in light of what Paul wrote (see Romans 5) about the direct link between Adam’s fall and death and the cross of Jesus? What explanation does he or she give?
3. If the Bible is God’s revelation, then are not the believer’s faith and eyes opened to the greater reality as expressed in Scripture? How can Christians then be called “closed-minded” when they are opening their minds to the Scriptural truths revealed by an infinite God? In fact, an atheistic, materialistic view of the world is much narrower than the Christian worldview is.
4. As believers staying faithful to the Word of God, how can we minister to those who are struggling with questions of sexual identity? Why must we not be those who cast stones, even with people who, like the woman in adultery, are guilty of sin?
