Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 05, 1999 at 15:55:41 {6xiCHW3gJ2MSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: Literal Bible limits God? posted by Liberty on November 05, 1999 at 14:44:18:
Hi Liberty,
Of course, I have a different view of this.
But as far as logic goes, science is a limited tool for exploring the world we know since part of that world is spiritual. Science cannot probe or understand the spiritual, the abstract or the artistic.
What is wrong is that some people think if it can't be explained "logically" then it's not factual. But that's not the case.
Furthermore, in the Bible are many things that defy the natural laws, things we call "MIRACLES" which include anything from raising the dead to the parting of the Red Sea. That's within God's power. Angels materialize, cities are destroyed (Sodom and Gomorrah), all by God's intervention. Things that be definition are not "logical" or that defy natural laws. Sometimes defying the natural laws is what makes it impressive.
Thus the Bible does not try to fit into a narrow-minded conception of "logic". It goes beyond logic, but doesn't apologize for that. It says there was a Global Flood and people who think that's illogical simply don't believe it. But does that mean it didn't happen? No.
What about people who believe it? They believe because of faith, but also because they know that it was "miraculous". But the creation of life is miraculous! Science can't explain how it all started and they certainly can't duplicate it.
As far as the situation with the Tower of Babel, this simply went against God's plan to have mankind spread out all over the Earth and form different cultures and variety within mankind. But these people wanted to defy God and stay together and so they decided to build this tower.
So God simply changed their languages and they left off building the tower and then spread out. Thus this tower was in direct opposition to God's instructions and his intent for mankind.
And God wasn't THREATENED by this, since obviously it was just a matter of changing their languages to have his purpose served.
But I can certainly understand and emphatize with anyone who is limit-minded in trying to make everything fit logically in the Bible. But since the Bible clearly indicates many of these things are MIRACULOUS, it doesn't try to claim that these things in any way are "natural". So you just have to accept these things by faith.
Science hasn't proven there are angels, but does that mean there aren't any? Of course not. That's because Science is incompetent to explore Art, Abstract or Spirit. These things are not definiable by "logic".
You can't measure water, pressure or light intensity with a ruler. Though some people think they are smart by trying. And when it doesn't make sense, they think they know something. But they know nothing and have confirmed nothing but their own foolishness.
Cheers,
Bibleman