A Way to See the World

In my first real post I thought I would just dive into controversy. I live deep in the Bible belt (see bio), so this kind of stuff lights people up; but here goes. In modern American Christendom much heat (but not much light), is generated over the issue of creation and thereby creationism and should it be taught. Why not add one more voice.
The problem of a modern Westerner reading the first chapter of Genesis is that in reading the words in English, she thinks she is reading a book originally written for her. This is simply not the case. This work is ancient and written for a people with a vastly different world-view. If you want to know what God has to say to you, you must know what God said to them.
In their world, something wasn't analyzed by its structure or form, but by what it was for, what was its function or use. Viewed this way, Genesis 1:3-5 tells us of God's creation of time, the fundamental fabric and framework within which everything else functions.
Verses 6-8 gives us the basis of weather, an absolutely indispensable function for life and so on.
Viewed correctly, I believe, this allows us to see God's truth in the Bible in harmony with God's truth in Nature. No need exists then to torture the Bible (and science) with Adam riding a dinosaur, or unimaginably huge black holes in the near vicinity of earth to slow down space-time.
God is to been seen and worshiped in the works of his hands as well as in the words of Scripture.
Science can speak of the beauty and majesty of God, not because science has any fondness of religion but because that is where data lead. At the instant of creation mathematics and physics dissolve, postulating infinite heat, incalculable light, limitless mass and non-existent space- a creation of impossible paradoxes. They generally don’t see it, because their scientific discipline demands they shouldn’t, but I see the irrefutable finger of God (Romans 1:19-20).
After the instant of creative cataclysm, the universe diverged then coalesced forming elements later condensing and heating to form stars. In their furnaces the workman forged the heavy elements which were spewed forth from the dying stars to coalesce again to form the planets. Age upon unnumbered age piled one upon the other and the Spirit of God moved over it all; winnowing, sifting, weighing, measuring until finally on a little planet the star was just hot enough and just far enough away, and there was just enough water and carbon and oxygen and then he focused down to one point and made the miracle spark of life appear.
Then the pattern repeated, for he is faithful and constant and his ways can be discerned. Fecund, wild, life broke loose to fill the earth. Again God began paring, judging, forming, molding until the one cell grew into many which gave way to invertebrates which gave way to vertebrates which gave way to mammals which gave way to primates. Eons upon leaden eons unfolded while God worked with inscrutable patience to sharpen his creation. Once again he worked; shaping, kneading, sculpting until one primate had the brain and the body needed for his ultimate purpose of creation; to carry his very own image and likeness. And the Lord breathed into his nostrils and the creature became the Man.
Time passed and the people multiplied and filled the earth. The hand of God again trained and honed the peoples until one insignificant clan was ready, and the hand of God rested upon them. They became the chosen people. And they grew and multiplied while he once again refined and distilled until he sharpened the point coming to rest on one Hebrew girl and he entered the world himself as a human baby. And it began again, Jesus giving us power to become his Body and again we multiply.
I don't believe this view does any violence to a correct reading of the Scriptures but shows God at work in his creation for his own purposes. It also showcases his unfathomable patience and concern for his creation. Now I'm fairly sure this first post will generate conflict (if anyone reads it) but I've at least made my position clear. For I worship the God revealed in the Bible, not the book itself. That would be idolatry.

New Beginnings

The tech and blog savvy will notice immediately I am not the slickest person on the blogosphere. It is not my intention to be, but simply to share thoughts on various subjects. Now that publishing no longer requires paper, ink, presses (or a publisher for that matter), we can all join the fray. I do so now.

I will try to constrain myself to write about what I find most important; the vital intersection of faith and life. That does leave quite a large swath of living though.

As my title indicates, I assert we have our religious beliefs, some held loosely, some held rabidly, but all held partially. So great a man as Paul the Apostle could recognize this, so should we.

Several people have told me I should write. Now we'll see what they know.