Fact or Fable ?

[gumbo]

If everyone is descendants of Adam & Eve , first man and woman.
Lets see if anyone can answer this.
Adam & Eve had Cain & Abel.
Cain killed Abel , so now there should only be three people ?
However when God was mad and shunned Cain, who where the people that Cain was afraid would kill him ?
And where did the woman come from that Cain Married?

Genesis 4

Could this be a folklore ? OK lets go a little further.

Genesis 4;17 Cain knew his wife and she conceived.

Now this would be his Sister if there was a mention of Eve giving birth to a daughter. Seth wasn't born yet , so it couldn't have been his niece.
Besides Cain was out of the presents of the Lord living in the land of Nod.
Or did Cain need to kill his brother Abel in the story, to divert our attention from Cain doing his Sister?

So Either we all need to stop making fun of people in West Virginia or there were other people for Cain to fear.
Now I could go at this with in mind that the Church might have altered the story by leaving out the sister thing, but why not alter Gen 4:14 where Cain mentions others ? Which leaves me to the conclusion that the story is a fable , a folklore , A tool to to keep early lawless man in line.
Anytime someone writes a story about God, it's God inspired.
However I do believe that most people pick up on this same fact with Cain and other contradictions in the Bible sub consciously, which hinders them from having faith. Which we wouldn't have this problem if devoted Christan's didn't' insist that everything is factual because they are Gods words.
I in fact believe yes God inspired the author to write the story of Genesis, because that was what God felt early uneducated man needed at that time, a warm yourself by the fire time story to tell their children so they would fear God and do the right thing and have a idea of where they came from.

BTW this post does not mean I don't have faith in the Lord
I just don't have faith in man's organized religions

 

[Railroad]

Show us that you're really after the Truth, Gumbo. Prove your sincerity. Research the answer and report back when you've found it and prayed about it. We'll all be interested in hearing about your education.

 

[aps45819]

RUN Sweetpea, RUN

 

[Railroad]

RUN Sweetpea, RUN

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="70%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tcat>vBulletin Message</TD></TR><TR><TD class=panelsurround align=middle>

<!-- main error message -->

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to aps45819 again.

​

<!-- / main error message -->​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- END TEMPLATE: STANDARD_ERROR_LITE -->

 

[willie]

Show us that you're really after the Truth, Gumbo. Prove your sincerity. Research the answer and report back when you've found it and prayed about it. We'll all be interested in hearing about your education.

Oh, the memories!
If you remove just a little of the sarcasm, it is a good question. When I was very young and in Bible study, I presented that very question to the class. The dressing down that I received made a very lasting impression and I, to this day, snicker when someone says "you can't ask a dumb question".

 

[Railroad]

Oh, the memories!
If you remove just a little of the sarcasm, it is a good question. When I was very young and in Bible study, I presented that very question to the class. The dressing down that I received made a very lasting impression and I, to this day, snicker when someone says "you can't ask a dumb question".

I wasn't being sarcastic, Willie. I just don't have the time (or the motivation) to chase down answers to every question. Too bad about your dressing down; I can imagine how that would indeed leave a lasting impression.

On the other hand, it's a lot easier to come up with questions than it is to come up with answers, and the mindset is different when somebody is sincerely trying to learn than when trying to start an argument. A good way to show which of the two you're after is to try and really research the question instead of picking up a couple of things upon which to build an argument.

 

[sweetpea]

RUN Sweetpea, RUN

...

 

[sweetpea]

Railroad

I really don't think Gumbo is looking for answers from you or anybody else. I think he his just posting to start conversations. In all do respect I think sometimes the debates are taken a little too far when that is all they are...DEBATES. That's what this is all about isn't it? It's just a form of entertainment.

 

[Tonio]

I really don't think Gumbo is looking for answers from you or anybody else. I think he his just posting to start conversations. In all do respect I think sometimes the debates all taken a little too far when that is all they are...DEBATES. That's what this is all about isn't it? It's just a form of entertainment.

I agree. I can't speak for Gumbo, but I don't think he's trying to win converts away from Christianity. It ought to be possible for people to ask probing questions about Christian doctrine without being suspected of trying to destroy others' faith. My personal belief about the events in Genesis is that they are metaphors that offer lessons.

 

[2ndAmendment]

It's just a form of entertainment.

I don't use the Religion forum as entertainment. Maybe others do, but I don't.

 

[2ndAmendment]

If everyone is descendants of Adam & Eve , first man and woman.
Lets see if anyone can answer this.
Adam & Eve had Cain & Abel.
Cain killed Abel , so now there should only be three people ?
However when God was mad and shunned Cain, who where the people that Cain was afraid would kill him ?
And where did the woman come from that Cain Married?

Genesis 4

Could this be a folklore ? OK lets go a little further.

Genesis 4;17 Cain knew his wife and she conceived.

Now this would be his Sister if there was a mention of Eve giving birth to a daughter. Seth wasn't born yet , so it couldn't have been his niece.
Besides Cain was out of the presents of the Lord living in the land of Nod.
Or did Cain need to kill his brother Abel in the story, to divert our attention from Cain doing his Sister?

So Either we all need to stop making fun of people in West Virginia or there were other people for Cain to fear.
Now I could go at this with in mind that the Church might have altered the story by leaving out the sister thing, but why not alter Gen 4:14 where Cain mentions others ? Which leaves me to the conclusion that the story is a fable , a folklore , A tool to to keep early lawless man in line.
Anytime someone writes a story about God, it's God inspired.
However I do believe that most people pick up on this same fact with Cain and other contradictions in the Bible sub consciously, which hinders them from having faith. Which we wouldn't have this problem if devoted Christan's didn't' insist that everything is factual because they are Gods words.
I in fact believe yes God inspired the author to write the story of Genesis, because that was what God felt early uneducated man needed at that time, a warm yourself by the fire time story to tell their children so they would fear God and do the right thing and have a idea of where they came from.

BTW this post does not mean I don't have faith in the Lord
I just don't have faith in man's organized religions

The Bible does not address this specifically just as it does not address the topic of suicide specifically.

I offer this. The birth of female children were rarely tracked. Yes, sexual relations between brothers and sisters obviously occurred. Incest was not prohibited since there was no law that had been given other than not eating from the tree of knowledge. The "others" referred to could have been satan (satan had already fallen with his followers at this time) and his angels that walked the earth at the time. The "others" could have also been unnamed offspring of Able which would not have been named since the decedents of Able would not be the ancestors of Abraham or of Jesus through Joseph and the Old Testament is, in addition to other things, a collection of books of Jewish history which includes the story of creation.

 

[gumbo]

On the other hand, it's a lot easier to come up with questions than it is to come up with answers, and the mindset is different when somebody is sincerely trying to learn than when trying to start an argument. A good way to show which of the two you're after is to try and really research the question instead of picking up a couple of things upon which to build an argument.

Why do you keep insisting on that anyone is arguing or picking an argument?
If 2A , Willie, Tonio or anyone else for that matter can point out something that may alter mine or anyone else's view or beliefs, by debating and sharing opinions. Whats it too you ! If I offend you, I'm sorry !
However is this not a religious forum ? I guess you would feel better if we all agreed and all we did is post ..Hey RR Jesus loves you...Gumbo: Jesus loves you too
How about I start, A Jesus loves you thread and everyone can post to each other how Jesus loves each and everyone of us.
A nice little happy thread that you can keep your close minded self in.
BTW: Don't you have to be angry to have an argument
The only one I have seen angry is you !

 

[itsbob]

Well, for one thing.. Adam and Eve is a story of TWO people, there were other couples, and families.. these were the "chosen" two.. in not wouldn't we all be inbreeds?

 

[itsbob]

The bible is like a genealogical study of the preisthood FROM Adam TO Jesus.. Follows the passing of the Priesthood, and the keys to the kingdom.

 

[gumbo]

The Bible does not address this specifically just as it does not address the topic of suicide specifically.

I offer this. The birth of female children were rarely tracked. Yes, sexual relations between brothers and sisters obviously occurred. Incest was not prohibited since there was no law that had been given other than not eating from the tree of knowledge. The "others" referred to could have been satan (satan had already fallen with his followers at this time) and his angels that walked the earth at the time. The "others" could have also been unnamed offspring of Able which would not have been named since the decedents of Able would not be the ancestors of Abraham or of Jesus through Joseph and the Old Testament is, in addition to other things, a collection of books of Jewish history which includes the story of creation.

I would like to check out these books. Do they have names ?
I know that it's hard to understand where I am coming from.
I'm not confused with God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
I just believe differently than any man's organized religion teachings
At the time that I first read the Bible out of my own need, I Didn't understand it and someone suggested the NIV and to pray for understanding before I read.
(good advice) However I knew absolutely nothing of any religion, so therefore I had none of Man's odd beliefs steering me in directions of their religions when I read. Which I feel is good, because I have seen how religions can manipulate the word and their members. So I can see how some brain washed people come up with the beliefs they have.
So I prayed and I read and I read and I read some more and I came up with my own beliefs with out the influence of Mans religions.
And I wonder just how many read the Bible for the first time with out any influence of religion.
Because I believe some story's are fables or folklores, doesn't mean I think any less of the Bible or less of God.
The way I look at some of the Bible is very innocent and almost child like. Much like the story of the boy who called Wolf. A very valuable lesson ,but not historic.
Considering the fact that superstitions and ignorance run amok in those days. Why shouldn't I believe the way I believe, whats wrong with it. Why do Church's have to insist that it is fact when it is not proved, it's a belief of their faith and their religion.
Why do people act like your going to hell if you don't believe how they believe.
To question someones Faith in God because of their beliefs is like questioning someones love for their children because they don't believe in raising their children the way you raise your own.(figuratively speaking)

 

[gumbo]

Well, for one thing.. Adam and Eve is a story of TWO people, there were other couples, and families.. these were the "chosen" two.. in not wouldn't we all be inbreeds?

Thats what I believe too..Thank you Bob

 

[SmallTown]

Well, for one thing.. Adam and Eve is a story of TWO people, there were other couples, and families.. these were the "chosen" two.. in not wouldn't we all be inbreeds?

Are you saying Adam and Eve weren't the first two humans, but rather just the two that happen to be put into the book?

 

[Penn]

Are you saying Adam and Eve weren't the first two humans, but rather just the two that happen to be put into the book?

Good point. I'd like to see some evidence that suggests there were other couples around at that moment in time, as well.

 

[PJay]

Cain’s brothers and sisters
Cain was the first child of Adam and Eve recorded in Scripture (Genesis 4:1). His brothers, Abel (Genesis 4:2) and Seth (Genesis 4:25), were part of the first generation of children ever born on this Earth.

Even though only these three males are mentioned by name, Adam and Eve had other children. In Genesis 5:4 a statement sums up the life of Adam and Eve—‘And the days of Adam after he had fathered Seth were eight hundred years. And he fathered sons and daughters.’ This does not say when they were born. Many could have been born in the 130 years (Genesis 5:3) before Seth was born.

During their lives, Adam and Eve had a number of male and female children. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that, ‘The number of Adam’s children, as says the old tradition, was thirty-three sons and twenty-three daughters.’11

The Bible does not tell us how many children were born to Adam and Eve. However, considering their long life spans (Adam lived for 930 years—Genesis 5:5), it would seem reasonable to suggest there were many! Remember, they were commanded to ‘Be fruitful, and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28).

More good stuff here:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/tools/cains_wife.asp

 

[Bustem' Down]

Well, for one thing.. Adam and Eve is a story of TWO people, there were other couples, and families.. these were the "chosen" two.. in not wouldn't we all be inbreeds?

I've been told that God perhaps suspended the laws of nature in that department. It's within his power to I suppose.