Belief and Faith

Consider the difference between belief and faith.

 I believe that the sun is a star 93 million miles away,

 because I have faith in the astronomers' observations and calculations.

 Most of what we think we know

 is actually belief

 based on faith in something.

And when that something is science

We need to bear in mind that

Our science is continually being

revised.

The science of today

Is very different

from the science of a hundred years ago,

when Einstein was still working on his

theories of Relativity.

And when that something is the Bible,

(unless we are reading the original Hebrew text)

It is continually being re-translated.

Consequently, no matter what we are studying,

We need to rely on our own ability

To think and reason

Rather than blindly accept the author’s view.

For example, I find it difficult to believe

That the universe was created in seven earth days,

 so it occurred to me that perhaps the problem

lies in our understanding;

perhaps the seven days of creation are universal days,

where the universe turns on its axis

every two billion Earth years.

It sounds reasonable, logical, and believable to me.

Now if you are a cosmologist

You may think this idea is totally ludicrous,

which is perfectly OK with me.

On the other hand, if you are a die-hard Bible thumper and

You insist that the days of creation can only be Earth days

Then that is OK with me too.

I will not argue the point either way,

Because I don’t like to argue and

 I am happy with my reasoning,

And I truly want you to be happy with yours.