Skeptic Project

Don't the creationists say that time in the Bible is up to interpretation?

"Everything is literal except things that they have to answer for. For example, seemingly anti-Homosexual verse are 100% literal word of god, but verses in the same book about proper a Kosher diet are up to interpretation."

Just to be fair, the contradiction here is not a matter of interpetation but rather a misunderstanding of the foundation for Christian faith. In relation to sections in Leviticus pertaining to a Kosher diet, Matthew states:

"not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." (Matthew 15:11)

This verse emerges directly from a very fundamental shift that occured at the foundation of Christianity. In his Letter to the Galatians, Paul writes:

"Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law." (2:16)

Thus, it is not a matter of interpretation of the text, but a fundamental change in the covenant with God. The reason Christians don't keep Kosher is because the arrival of Christ altered the covenant with God, did away with the necessity to follow the Hebraic laws, and placed salvation solely on Faith and faith alone. Martin Luther would famously defend this argument in "On Christian Liberty."

This of course means that the laws of Leviticus- ALL of them- are no longer applicable to Christianity, include those against Homosexuality. Christians should follow the New Testament in determining their conduct, and use the Old Testament as an account of God's interaction with humanity. Christian relationships with the Old Testament are of course difficult, but no Christian is to take the Old Testament in a literal manner. Afterall, they are not beholden to its laws.

That also means that Christians who support their homophobia through Leviticus are hypocrites.

Anyway, there are my two cents.

>> Thus, it is not a matter of interpretation of the text, but a fundamental change in the covenant with God.

I know that part.

>> This of course means that the laws of Leviticus- ALL of them- are no longer applicable to Christianity, include those against Homosexuality.

That was my point really, that there's a sort of doublespeak and doublethink going on.

>> That also means that Christians who support their homophobia through Leviticus are hypocrites.

Exactly.

>> My bad, Deuteronomy 14:7,8 is where the Kosher laws are listed- not Leviticus. But the point stands.

Leviticus 11:3 - 8

"Don't the creationists say that time in the Bible is up to interpretation? "

I believe some say that the 'days' mentioned in Genesis can be years, decades, eons, etc. But I was just referring to those who believe in the literal 7 days.

Nerdfight!