Reason is necessary for building strong faith

It is interesting that at Gen 1:6-8 the Hebrew word "raqia", is translated " firmament" or "expanse" and carries the thought of something "stretched out" or "beaten out". While it is possible to beat out or stretch solids, in some cases it is unreasonable to rule out a figurative use of the word. Thus at Job 37:18 Elihu asks concerning God: "With him can you beat out [tar"qiE7;aF1;] the skies hard like a molten mirror?" That the literal beating out of some solid celestial vault is not meant can be seen from the fact that the word "skies" here comes from a word (shaE7;chaq) also rendered "film of dust" or "clouds" (Isa 40:15;Ps 18:11), and in view of the nebulous quality of that which is "beaten out," it is clear that the Bible writer is only figuratively comparing the skies to a metal mirror whose burnished face gives off a bright reflection. So, too with the " raqia" or "expanse". no solid substance is described as being beaten out but, rather, the creation of an open space, or division, between the waters covering the earth and other waters above the earth. It thus describes the formation of the atmospheric expanse surrounding the earth and indicates that at one time there was no clear division or open space but that the entire globe was previously enveloped in water vapor. This also accords with scientific reasoning on the early stages of the planet"s formation and the view that at one time all of earth"s water existed in the form of atmospheric vapor because of the extreme heat of the earth"s surface at that point. Moreover, Ecclesiastes 1:5 gives no credence to a geocentric universe. It merely relates the daily cycles of the sun based on what a man on earth observes. Naturally, this does not oppose the findings of NASA. God saw Abel's murder by his brother. Does that mean then that his questioning was out of ignorance? Didn't He also see Adam's sin and question him? He asked Cain the question to give him an opportunity to express himself. And so did he, showing no remorse for his actions! And of course, Vengeance belongs to God. His vengeance however is motivated by His love, Justice and mercy. He brings it upon those he deems wicked and uses it to protect his faithful servants. I fail to see the contradiction there, after all would it be loving for him not to punish the evil? Picture the terrorist groups and their sponsors together with child abusers, rapists and the like. Don't they deserve punishment? Love actually moves one to enact punishment. Why Abel's sacrifice was favoured? "By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which faith he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts." (Hebrews 11:4) Thus, it was because of faith that Abel was recognized as righteous by God. But faith in what? Faith in Jehovah"s promise that he would provide the Seed, who would "bruise the head of the serpent" and restore the peace and perfection that mankind once enjoyed. From the statement that the Seed would be "bruised in the heel," Abel might have reasoned that a sacrifice involving the shedding of blood was needed. (Genesis 3:15) Nonetheless, the fact remains that it was Abel"s expression of faith that made his "a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain. "By the same token, Cain was rejected, not because he offered the wrong kind of sacrifice, but because he lacked faith, as indicated by his actions. Jehovah had clearly pointed out to Cain: "If you turn to doing good, will there not be an exaltation?" (Genesis 4:7) God did not reject Cain on account of any displeasure over his offering. Rather, it was "because his own works were wicked" " marked by jealousy, hatred, and finally murder" that Cain was hated by God. There are stunning evidences to prove that global flood really did exist. possible evidence of a drastic change: Remains of mammoths and rhinoceroses have been found in different parts of the earth. Some of these were found in Siberian cliffs; others were preserved in Siberian and Alaskan ice. In fact, some were found with food undigested in their stomachs or still unchewed in their teeth, indicating that they died suddenly. It is estimated, from the trade in ivory tusks, that bones of tens of thousands of such mammoths have been found. The fossil remains of many other animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, and elk, have been found in common strata, which may indicate that all of these were destroyed simultaneously. Some have pointed to such finds as definite physical proof of a rapid change in climate and sudden destruction caused by a universal flood. Flood Legends. Such a cataclysm as the Deluge, which washed the whole world of that time out of existence, would never be forgotten by the survivors. The fact that there are not merely a few but perhaps hundreds of different stories about that great Deluge, and that such stories are found among the traditions of many primitive races the world over, is a strong proof that all these people had a common origin and that their early forefathers shared that Flood experience in common. The destruction of humanity by a flood and the spread of the human race from one locale and even from one family. These folklore accounts of the Deluge agree with some major features of the Biblical account: (1) a place of refuge for a few survivors, (2) an otherwise global destruction of life by water, and (3) a seed of mankind preserved. The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Chinese, the Druids of Britain, the Polynesians, the Eskimos and Greenlanders, the Africans, the Hindus, and the American Indians" all of these have their Flood stories. So when it comes to the Bible, its understanding is very important if one wants to make it a basis of beliefs. More so, when one gets the correct understanding, one will build strong faith that can stand the test of time. So when one truly understands the bible, one finds that correct science and even history can serves to support the Bible. And when one uses a logical approach to understand what is written in it, one finds that faith is stronger than just a blind acceptance of what is seen. http://www.icr.org...