Dear Bishop Barron, thank you very much for these deep insights! As a Catholic Christian, theoretical physicist and computer scientist the fundamental wisdom in Genesis (and the complete Bible) has fascinated me for all my life.
@Mysterious Mind If you profess the words of the Nicene Creed which is the Creed of Christendom, you are my brother in Christ as we worship the same God our Father, who is the Father of our brother The lord Jesus Christ
The term Catholic Christian is liken to calling someone a human man. The Catholic Church was the beginning of the church started by God, Jesus Christ . And the followers of Jesus became known as Christians. Other denominations can trace their beginnings to one person who did not claim to be God, as Jesus did.
@@kathyandlee All Christians look back to their origin to the apostolic Church and the teaching of the apostles. The apostolic teaching is summarised in the New Testament Scriptures. In The Apostolic Church there was no Marian Dogmas or praying to the saints or indulgences or burning of incense or statues or icons or rosaries or benediction. The original church was a simple church where faith in Christ was paramount.
I prayed a special prayer for someone passing through hard times, a hard time which seem to be mental, financially and emotionally damaging. I pray for this person reading this, that God will come to your rescue, wipe your tears and restore you whole in Jesus name. Amen
I hope Fr. Barron is our Pope someday. He is the most eloquent scholar and exudes the grace of the Holy Spirit. I really hope he is able to "rest" by taking some time off doing some sight seeing or whatever he likes to do. We ask too much of our priests and Bishops and they don't get enough time off. Thank you for making me a holier woman.
I just love the Bishop's communication skills. His knowledge of life shines thru the clouds of misunderstanding, which produces sunlight . Bless you and your spiritual work.
I re-watched this today shortly before today's (Saturday's) Vigil Mass. What you said about God resting / savoring really sunk in. I always try to be present with Jesus after Holy Communion. Today I savored being united with Him. I savored each aspect to the Mass as we progressed through it. Made it much more fulfilling. Thank you, Bishop Barron.
@@fellowsinner7216 I can understand your doubt. At one time the genesis account was considered not only factual but also historical. When science came to the forefront the Church was eventually forced to change its mind. It simply adjusted her belief to neutralise the facts. It is now considered poetry to safeguard the existence of God. We are now told it is all poetry but God is real and is no myth. A lot of Catholics feel betrayed , why did it take nearly 2000 years for the Church to now say " Hey you are misunderstanding Genesis with its genre , it is poetry" (yet for 2 millenium we told you it actually happened the way it was written )The silent exodus from the Church simply continues unabated and catholics are voting with their feet.
I agree with the rosary as a best way of mental prayer. It lead me out of the darkness in my life and lead me to the best journey of my life. Everything that I could ever imagined that was impossible to happen, finding the rosary lead me to my beautiful life today. Mama Mary guided me without me noticing it. ♥️
In the Beginning is one of my favorite books. I read parts of it weekly, and I find a deepened understanding each time. I don't think I will ever finish with it. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it.
thank you. i was lucky to have had a class in college called old testament as literature and it was and thoroughly broken down as you have described here. there are way more styles and motifs in the old testament than a cursory reading would lead one to believe. the instructor was careful to admonish solo scriptura folk that we were examining the growth and history of the old testament not arguing the religious content. but the historical context is so essential to understanding the texts that we have she stressed. this was just after the dead sea scrolls had visited berkeley campus in oakland. the class brought everything into reality.
I am so glad to hear that this priest interprets Genesis allegorically. I have a whole amazing allegorical study on Genesis. Apostolic Church Father, Origen Adamantius, is by far the best interpreter of Genesis. I have learned so much biblical truth from his homilies. Unfortunately, there are many Christians, who do not understand Genesis. They do not understand the meaning of allegories, symbolisms and metaphors.
Thank you Bishop Barron. When reading the Bible, we need to know the genre, the sense, the language, the time it was written, the culture, etc And when reading Genesis, the LITERAL sense makes the most sense. Have tried other senses --- metaphorical, allegorical, etc but it's the literal sense that really gets all the tick marks.
You are correct. Reading it in the original language tells you everything. Do you see the Father in the first verse? How about the Spirit? Even Jesus is there. The Hebrew is very descriptive. Your comment is wise and should be fully endorsed. TBTG!
Genesis leaves you with a flat earth, where the stars and sun revolve around the earth, where the existence of dinosaurs was completely ignored, and where the earth is only 6000 years old. The Big Bang and evolution are far better explanations for the creation of our universe. They have provided humans with much more than a story to believe. For instance evolution has provided medications and medical treatments that save lives. How hypocritical are people who use these discoveries brought about through understanding the Big Bang and evolution, yet claim these things aren’t real and state that a magic man created them. The real test is in the pudding. You show me god and I’ll show you evidence of the Big Bang and evolution. I know I can meet my end of the bargain without even trying. Can you say the same thing?
@@stephaniezank7717 But Stephanie, Genesis is a theological text. If I want to know the mechanistic way in which the universe works, I go to the Big Bang theory and evolution. If I want to extract meaning out of the universe, in a moral/ philosophical/theological/sense, I reserve the right to go back to Genesis since science has nothing to say on such matters.
Rest, as used in the beginning of Genesis, is more like the function of a REST in sheet of music. One section complete, take a beat, that pause creates shape, form, meaning. Take a beat. Then comes the next part.
What a wonderful explanation of the Book of Genius, our Creator God, and mankind's relationship to God, creation and to the Earth. Bishop Barron is such a wonderful teacher and servant of God! Thank you so much!!
As a Christian I have done hours upon hours of research on this, and while this view on creation makes the most sense, my remaining question that I cannot seems to find answer to is regarding the geneology/ancestry mentioned in first 2 books of Bible. If Genesis is largely allegorical then wouldn't that make the ancestry lines mentioned throughout it (Noah, Abraham) erroneous? And if so, what would this mean for the New Testament and the ancestry of Jesus?
This is so important in the book of Genesis. I used to believe in millions of years like Hugh Ross Right now I take the Bible literally six days of creation Bishop Baron I hope you read this and get connected to these people listed I would love to hear your comments. Thank you so much Bishop. dr. Doug Petrovich Genesis creation Dr. Kurt Wise Noah’s flood Also Ken Ham answers in Genesis.
Love that you're doing this episode, Bishop and Mr. Vogt! Thank you, both ! Great dialogue, no doubt. I've always love the story of creation because it shows the Unselfishness of God.He didn't have to create this world and everything in it, but he did. He savored/enjoyed the beauty of all his creations, but that's also the sad part when the Serpent destroyed that " savoring moment".It made me sad whenever I meditate on this part because after enjoying/savoring the greatness of his work, the hard and painful work awaits.....to become one of what he created and suffered in the very hands of his creations.Just heartbreaking! :( Love all your explanation , Bishop and looking forward to part 2 of this Genesis discussion. Thankfully, Linda Worsham
The genre is historical narrative. Evidence includes: the genealogies, the precise dates, "'this is the written record of the generations of Adam (Genesis 5:1)"
@prairie mark Yes. Why would Moses write one book in multiple genres? The Pentateuch, Joshua, I and II Samuel, 1 and II Kings...me thinks it's all wriitten in the same genre of historical narrative.
@prairie mark Billions of years is not proven in biology, geology or astronomy. Scientists make many assumptions; the evidence is inconsistent; there is much unexplained. History is not subject to the scientific method. It is not repeatable. God was there at the beginning. The scientists were not there. Genesis and the The Church have taught Creation for centuries and there's no need to change that now becuase scientists have their extrapolations. Extrapolations can't predict the future and they are inadequate to explain the past.
@@martyfromnebraska1045 What would be your evidence of that? Creation in six days is supernatural; Noah's ark and the global flood is an account of the supernatural. We still have the supernatural happening later in Genesis in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph. From the start, Genesis is in the genre of reporting about generations. See these references from Genesis: "The generations of heaven and earth" (Gen 2:4); generations of Adam (Gen 4:1); generations of...Noah (6:9); the sons of Noah (10:1); Shem (11:10); Terah (11:27); Isaac (25:19); Jacob (37:2 and extending into his generations in Egypt through the end of Genesis). Moses may have had clay tablets as sources from which to write his historical narrative.
@@martyfromnebraska1045 Genesis 12-50 is the story of Abraham and his family. Genesis 1-11 provide the background info. The supernatural happens daily when bread and wine are consecrated in the Mass to become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The supernatural happens throughout the Book of Genesis. Creation is supernatural. The "Big Bang" is a naturalistic explanation that seeks to replace the supernatural narrative as told in Genesis.
Bishop Barron, thank you for this but I also hear your frustration. What if you produce a series on creation similar to the Catholicism series? Just a thought.
Thank you thank you. Bishop's explanation is so inspiring. I never understand that deep. "God rested on the 7th day is to savor the good... " If I follow Jesus on earth, I also like to take rest to savor / taste the good's around me. How much joy it is . Thank you once again. God bless.
A problem that I have with comparing the Bible to other literature is that it encourages people to think that God is just a literary character, and religion is just a fandom of some fiction series.
To not compare would mean we should just believe it because ….. because why? Because God says so? Human beings like benchmark comparisons to put things in context. The problem that I have with believing for it’s own sake is that it diminishes my ability to be curious, and seek to understand. God created our minds to seek truth, and much of scripture requires us to seek and believe in God’s truth especially when we get to an intersection that may not make logical sense and our temporal experience. God is the master narrator, master creator and He knows those of us who truly believe do not categorize Him trivially.
@@lisadelgreco2646 Ok, I phrased it wrong. What I meant to say, id that comparing the Bible to other literature would be placing God on the same level as fictional characters. Therefore, when making a comparison, we should explain where the limits of the analogy is, and when naive comparison becomes misleading.
J.R.R. Tolkien, a practicing Catholic said that the Christian story is a myth, in fact the only true myth. I understand how this might seem off-putting at first, but there is some deep truth in this. The story of Christ might be just a story, but stories are way more important that what modern people think. We now tend to regard "facts" as the building blocks of reality but as Alasdair McIntyre once quipped "facts, like wigs for men are a 17th century invention". Everyday reality is in fact built around stories. Salvation is the blue-print and the justification of all stories
The bible is like my daily horoscopes from the newspaper..it seems to be accurate because it lacks specific examples..very vague and can be interpreted many ways.The bible is the same...amen
@@jesseholthaus8357 If you have the right environment in front of you with a homely feeling , you can listen better and thereby grow in your understanding. Also to have a library behind you , reveals to me the speaker has a love of learning and is worthy to listen too. Thank you , Jesse , you have made a very wise statement and should be heeded.
I Saw the procession after My death kind of deluge where i was helping people to scape up mountains cause all was down water or mud no house up or mountains few only as Airport
Thanks for the presentation. One question? Why is the Catholic Church so indifferent in producing really good Study Bibles! I am Catholic but use the Crossway ESV Study Bible due to the Catholic faith having nothing as well designed available for it's congregation. This is even more frustrating considering the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is the oldest and largest Christian denomination. Thanks.
@Ubi Fides thanks, but I am searching for a complete Catholic study bible OT & NT. I am yet to find a Catholic study bible that comes close to Crossway's ESV: it has extensive notes, charts, diagrams, maps throughout and articles on Christian faiths and other World faiths, etc. In using it one must be aware of theological differences in faith with Catholicism but to their credit they acknowledge the Catholic view but disagree.
@@jezamania, there are 3 editions you can find for sale on the internet, The Jerome Biblical Commentary, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, and The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the 21st Century. While not study Bibles, they are the best for research. The New American Bible has introductions and commentary included but not like the Jerome Commentaries.
I think my problem like a lot of people have when both reading or having another conversation with someone again as before to take up the same 2 topics in the basic law of all laws in faith concepts being discussed as before then if in the meantime I have been running off on a tangent when trying to stay focused enough on my numerous set of topmost current goals while remembering only less important details from the last reading session or conversation then when for example when with the same person I am catching up with to be conversing again on the same topic conversation then I end up not taking up the same thread right away to be listening and being truly present in the current conversation while only recalling only unrelated details from the meantime. Then I end up missing the point sometimes altogether about what the current topic of second conversation is for awhile.
I'm confused. If Genesis is not to be taken literally, then it is wrong to interpret Paul as saying sin literally entered the world through the man Adam. Original sin is therefore a literary device. No sane God would require the real blood sacrifice of an innocent human to atone for it. For consistency, should the resurrection story be treated the same as Genesis - an instructive "theological myth"?
The Catholic Church still requires belief in a literal first man - Adam, and a first woman - Eve, who through their literal falling into sin brought original sin into humanity.
@@michaelraney Then Bishop Barron is incorrect in proposing that Genesis is akin to theological myth. No? Also, if the church teaches that there was a first human, then it is in direct opposition to the verifiable mechanisms of evolution. Homo Sapiens emerged slowly over time and there was never a first homo sapiens - much like French evolved over time from other languages, but there was never a first person who spoke French.
What he is saying is dangerous. You can contextualize anything away with what he is saying. If he was asked this question 150 years ago he would have said something different. If you can’t believe God when all the world says something different, then I wonder how much you trust him. His problem is that he is trying to win atheists. The Bible says atheists are fools. You can’t argue with someone like that.
Whoa, careful with some of these comments as some seem to be putting words in the good Bishops mouth. First, poetic language does not infer it is just make believe, but that reality is infused inside specific imagery that tells of truths in eternal ways. Remember, this is ancient Jewish culture. Not 2020 America. As to the word “myth”. I believe he referenced it around “in the traditional meaning” or similar. I have often liked the analogies of the Bible akin to the daily newspaper …. There are factual articles, society sections, sports, etc. Each describes realty using different language styles. (Okay, given the dismal state of today’s journalism … that might not the best example! :).
@@1144DC You said: "First, poetic language does not infer it is just make believe, but that reality is infused inside specific imagery that tells of truths in eternal ways." The problem I have with this is that only a couple of hundred years ago Genesis was taught as the literal truth. Christian interpretation is nothing like it used to be and teachings have changed to accommodate scientific discoveries. That would be fine if the church did not claim to know the immutable mind of god - or at least how to interpret so called revelation. You said: "I have often liked the analogies of the Bible akin to the daily newspaper …. There are factual articles, society sections, sports, etc. Each describes realty using different language styles." Perhaps, but as I mentioned above, what were considered to be factual articles yesterday are now considered to be poetry of allegory or myth, etc.. Which just goes to show how messy and unreliable this revelation stuff is.
All very well, but! We know that the Earth came into being after a very long (9 billion year) process of progressive manufacture of elements in the interiors of big stars (stellar nucleosynthesis) (and we see those same processes at work in our galaxy today) . So is the Bishop saying that Gn1:1 encompasses that whole history? And if he is then how is he able to interpret his ex nihilo event to mean billions of years of elemental evolution?
It's hard to comprehend also that believers believe the world was created in seven days. What amazes me is that the writers of Genesis nailed the sequence of creation. Yes, God created everything, but He/She may have taken billions of (human) years.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. Just close your eyes and say “Jesus, I don’t have faith in you, please help me believe” Jesus loves you, turn to Him before it is too late. He loves you so much that He died for you. I’m praying for you❤🙏
God’s power is not something we can always understand He can do anything any way He wants.Created the universe,as He pleases,we are called to believe,trust the Creator,simple faith.
one of the main reasons i have a problem with genesis is that it positions god outside of the universe, but then deeply concerned with the particularities of the universe. i don't understand how an infinite being can care about the particulars of a finite being. it makes sense for the greek and roman pantheons to care about worldly events, because they have to live in the world. it makes sense for people to care about the world for the same reason. that reason does not extend to some sort of primal force responsibile for all things, good and evil.
Thankyou Bishop & word on fire for your wonderful ministry. Bishop have you listened to Astrophysicist Dr Hugh Ross’s commentary on the bible as revealing scientific truth? His witness as a Christian scientist is amazing - very compelling& is leading many people to explore Christianity Have you ever mentioned him in any of your talks? God bless you & WOF ministries🙏🏼
Does God expect people to understand the theological saga or poetry to get his message? Or do we all have to take a Ph.D in Bible to understand it? God could have conveyed his message in the simplest and the shortest way.
Dr. Peter Hugh Ross has explained the Genesis creation account in perfect scientific account. I find his interpretation of Genesis creation is so mind blowing. It is so very scientific in it's every detail. He explains from the Bible that a day mentioned in creation account does not mean 24 hour day since the sun and moon does not appear until later. (Note: the creation account is decribed from the man's view point of location. That is, from the surface of the Earth. We see that sun and moon appear later in the sky after the scientific process of condensation of the atmosphere which makes the sun and moon visible from the earth surface and so on....)
There is nothing wrong with what he is saying. But if you are engaged with biblical literalists who are convinced in the historic truth of scripture to just refer to "genre" is too little. Because there is no doubt about Adam and Eve being regarded in the whole bible as real people experiencing real history. But I guess that would need another discussion.
Bishop, just wanted to share for any thoughts you may have on Venerable Sister Mary of Agreda, a seventeenth-century Spanish nun in her book “The Mystical City of God” on her account of Creation. She received many visions of heaven and the afterlife (she also reportedly bilocated) and says that at Creation, as told in Genesis, the earth was created with space for hell and purgatory in the middle of it, with the middle of the earth indeed full of fiery molten rock and lava. And at the moment God said “let there be light” there was the creation of the angels endowed with beauty, intellect, will, and numerous other graces, and mentions other fascinating details about Mary, and Adam & Eve, in her account.
And it sure doesn't include evolution does it? Yet most Catholics wouldn't even believe her account, her say we have to "read it in the right genre" as Bishop Barron says. It is heart breaking that Catholic theologians and intellectuals will try to say God used evolution to make man and all living creatures. As if God's creation which he made was "good" to include billions of years of absolute death and destruction in a horrible and brutal darwinist process to create man. Does that seem like how Jesus Christ would create to you? God is a loving Creator who creates ex nilo out of nothing, a perfect Universe. Evolution, as supported by most Catholics, makes a mockery of the goodness of God. Tell me God is a good God who made cancer, death, and horrible suffering? All of which is required for evolution. Because he didn't, these things are a result of the Fall and man's sin. This is the literal view of Genesis that actually maintains the goodness of God and is the 100% historical view of Church Fathers.
Please please talk about original sin in one of these episodes. I just don't understand it - why God allows it, especially when Mary was born without it. It seems like it was Mary's God-given dispensation from original sin that allowed her to be "perfect" - so why wouldn't God allow all of us to be born without it; it's certainly possible, right? Original sin and generational sin all seems so unjust, I mean flat out corrupt, from a God who is infinitely just. And what in the hell (no pun intended) was the serpent doing in the Garden in the first place; God's original plan for Adam and Eve incuded being tempted by the devil? This is one doctrine that to this day still throws me for a loop. I am, unfortunately, well-acquainted with sin and suffering. I reverted several years ago, and I find myself trying to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The problem is I am a human-being, which means I relate to people through my senses, touch, hearing, sight, precisely in ways that I can't relate to Jesus. What kind of relationship is this then? I feel like I'm the one making the effort, going to God, but so often it feels like I'm going to an imaginary friend. And the one person responsible for teaching/showing me who God the Father is, was himself an awful father. So I'm screwed - I've got nothing. I've got all sorts of my own problems now and I'm going through life trying to be a good person, I frequent the sacraments and prayer and spiritual reading, yet God is silent. And everytime I bear my cross and die to myself, which is incredibly painful, all the glory belongs to God because it's grace that allows me to do those things in the first place, and yet any time I sin, it's my fault and I'm worthy of condmenation? And all this because of original sin? I love my Catholic faith. I don't know where else I'd go to find purpose and truth, but there's still so much that doesn't make sense, that we have to accept as mystery. Sometimes I wonder if it's better not to think about these things at all - everytime I do, I end up in a place of confusion, hurt, frustration, and despair.
To all Catholics watching this - you may believe in the literal interpretation of Genesis same as the other three senses of Scripture. It is not a matter of salvation, so don’t be concerned if others believe in the modern evolutionary model. Yes I believe in Genesis literally precisely because of its power as a mythological saga as Bishop Barron refers to. The most powerful saga is one that literally happened. If you disagree, that’s fine. But I caution that once you explain away one portion of the Bible as a mythological saga, it becomes a real temptation to explain more and more of it in those terms.
Every single time Jesus refers to Genesis 1-11 he refers to it as historical fact. Look through the Gospels and you'll see. The Church Fathers all confirm that the style of Genesis is that of sacred history, not allegory (like the Canticle of Canticles) or "mythological saga".
While I do apreciate your take on this, does the bible itself claims that the book of Genesis is not literal? You went on to explain how several lines of genesis had a very different meaning than what it's actually written, based on what? Do you think the people who received these "books" back then would've taken it this way? Isn't it more rational to conclude they took it exactly as it's written, in a more simplistic, less complicated, literal sense? If so, why would God write in a way to leave his readers have a faulty interpretation for so long up until men was inteligent enough to interpret it a more advanced and complex way. Otherwise, why would New Testament writers mention these things literally? Like when Jesus said his coming would be just like in Noah's days, when people were eating and drinking and the flood just came. Or when Moses appeared with other OT prophets to the disciples, or when Paul mentioned Job as an example to be followed. Aren't you saying that God is not for the simple minded, but his word can only be understood by a highly educated mind? Genesis should be taken literally. If it goes against the reality of facts, it should be dismissed, not interpreted in another way. When a religion is proven to be faulty, we should dismiss it, not change it.
Thanks Bishop, Before the age of modern science, people would take Genesis quite literally (I believe), but with better scientific discoveries and understanding of the world around us we could construct a model of the development of the universe, the planets, the earth, life, etc. in a different light. Is it because of the modern understanding of science that prompts us to emphasize the real genre and theological purposes of Genesis? Or has it been the original purpose of the book since the beginning?
I love how the priests and pastors arbitrarily include planets, and universe and and celestial bodies post factum. Yet nowhere in the bible do the biblical writers make any such references. This has nothing to do with admitting that the Bible is a flat earth book because this is not and never was the purpose of the bible in the first place. I guess 1Tessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good" is not a part of their arsenal. What surprises me still is the complete avoidance of the use of bible dictionaries, encyclopedias and concordances. Why is everyone stuck in the literal or exoteric translation of the Good Book? The largest selling book in the English language is the Bible; and, yet, few people understand what it has to say. Because of this need, various translations have altered the original King James Version published in 1611. Some were helpful in certain areas, but mostly they tended to lose the beautiful mystical feeling underlying the words of the King James Version. In each generation there have been those who felt that the language of the Bible was archaic, that it should be modernized. Modernizing the language helped some to better understand the Bible in a literal, or historic, way, but left large areas completely misunderstood, especially those areas where an understanding of symbols, parables, allegories and such are required. The Bible is a compilation of treatises on nearly every facet of man’s life. Within its covers modern psychology will find all that it has to teach. It is the ultimate philosophy. It shows us how to commune with the unseen Power within each one of us. It shows us how to take dominion in our lives through the use of the Power. It is the story of every man in his journey through life, his mental and spiritual growth. The obstacles and problems he meets are presented in an understandable way. The mystics of the ages have rather sensed than interpreted the deep esoteric meanings hidden within certain words of the Bible. here exist a usable, workable key the explains the bible codes so that the Bible may become a more understandable book, not just a book for the religious but a guidebook for every man. It may ultimately become man’s greatest possession, the answer book for every problem that can ever come into his experience. That which must be understood is the discovery that modern-day readers were completely overlooking the meanings behind certain proper names of people and places, continually featured in Biblical writing, meanings that the ancient writers had taken for granted and assumed would always be understood. There exists certain numbers and common words had a repetitious use and that when their symbolic or esoteric meaning was understood, they opened up entirely new avenues of wisdom and understanding. without an understanding of the key to the hidden mysteries that have been concealed in the Bible for so many years, we are stuck in the erroneous beliefs that we are to be delivered in an afterlife and that this experience on earth is just a testing ground for us as almost irredeemable sinners. The Bible is the most important book that has ever been published. It has had more influence on history and has affected more people’s lives than any other book. It was not written by one person but, through divine Inspiration, it is the compilation of the thoughts and ideas of many whose words were passed down from generation to generation by mouth and by scroll. It did not receive publication for hundreds of years after the original words were conceived. Today we think of the Bible as being a part of the household of the Christian world. It is printed in many languages and each year more Bibles are sold than any other book, but few are read in comparison to the numbers sold. Many people feel that they ought to read it and try, but they give up because they do not understand it. Many of those who do read it take it literally, without knowing the inner meaning, and miss the best part. Having an Open Mind Is Necessary. Have you shied away from the Bible, considering it a series of genealogies, bloodthirsty battles, and “thou shall nots” for the morally self-righteous? Have you considered that much of it was too colorful to be read aloud to the children? Do you have a casual acquaintance with the Psalms and a speaking acquaintance with the New Testament, but frankly never get around to reading the rest? Then, you should re-introduce yourselves to the best guidebook to modern-day living that has ever been written. If you have thought that the Bible was dull, bewildering, contradictory, difficult and antiquated, I hope to make you rethink your position, and that the Bible is a storehouse of inspiration designed to fit every human need, a treasure trove of usable ideas, an infinite source of wisdom; most of all, a book of life, your life and my life.
The Bible Project podcast is doing a series now on a similar topic! They even make a reference to Moby Dick. I think the good Bishop is listening t the same.
Why did God take six days to create everything in the world? Since He is God, He could have created everything in one day by His Word. Why did God create only man in the beginning, then realized that man is lonely and decided to create a suitable companion for man? Does that mean God's plan was not good?
I used to believe in millions of years like Hugh Ross. But that actually is putting the Bible down a path of unbelief. It’s actually undermining the word of God. Doctor Doug Petrovich, On Genesis Creation. Also Dr. Kurt Wise, On The flood of Noah
I have a question that's not related to this video but I really need guidance. I recently read a NYT interview with Raymond Burke, a man that I abhor and detest personally and theologically. But he said something that I found to be righteous. He was asked about a potential punishment to deal with pedophiles that have infiltrated the Church. This is a direct quote: "Up until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council there were a whole series of rites for the degradation of a cleric who betrayed the holiness of his office....For instance, if it was an archbishop or bishop, they’d dress him in the full vestments and then take them off one by one, with these very severe declarations, and then at the end, scrape the hands that had been anointed at ordination with a knife to signify that this person had completely betrayed the office." What was the name of this rite? Whatever the name I have come to believe that this rite needs to be brought back ASAP. And this time make it a public ceremony. It won't be the silver bullet to the heart of this issue of course, but it would help. However, I also know that the Bible also teaches us to be on our guard against vengenace. What are your thoughts on this rite being reinstituted?
Dante was an Italian writer in the 13th/14th century. He wrote the Divine Comedy, three books of poetry called the Inferno, the Purgatorio and the Paradisio….hell, purgatory and heaven. 😊
It often seems this comes from a place of belief first then interpretation. Which is fine if you admit that is the case but to then sit and go through these stories discussing them like they can be explained logically is not. I'm not closed to Christianity, infact I think it's what we need at the moment and I'm trying my best with it. But it's frustrating to me that Christians won't admit that the fact these passages are open to interpretation is a real problem. I'm not saying these interpretations are wrong I'm asking where does this certainty come from? Why not admit we can never really know!?
I think that "belief" is the leap of faith. So I understand if you are not there yet that it feels unforfilling. But I also know that there are way more arguments for Christianity than this talk alone. But at the core of it is prayer. Give up you're endless thoughts and try to be one with Him that you do not comprehend completely. Greetings from Holland.
Just think about the story of the flood, and how the names of the people in the bible referred to kinds of people in our historical past, not exactly individuals or cultures or civilizations, but kinds of people. Now think about the meaning of the name Noah, it means tranquility. A people of the kind of tranquility, a people defined by tranquility survived the great flood. Now think about the flood, a wave devastation by means of water. Water is described as a chaotic force, chaos is when the known world is perceived to be under threat by the unknown. Now think about what led up to the flood, the existence of the Nephilim, the Nephilim are children of the sons of God(an artistic choice for the followers of God but really they are the descendants or you could think of them as the derivatives of Seth) and the daughters of Cain(Cain was exiled, he was a sinner, but he was protected by God and the femininity of "daughters" is meant to refer to how chaos is feminine.) So a people who correctly followed God mixed with people who did not(Cain did worship God rightly and that's what led to his jealousy of Able), their children were sort of tainted by the practices of the people who did not follow God rightly, tainted in how children mature by copying their parents. And since the two kinds of people bread with each other and not among themselves the Nephilim came to be the average/dominant kind of person in humanity and there were no longer any sons of God, or people who followed God rightly. And you could think of following God rightly as the recipe for success and a meaningful life, so no one followed the recipe, so the world that these "children" grew up in (the known world) was perceived to come under threat by the world they were turning it into, unknowing of the falseness of their ways they had learned from their parents. The world was becoming a place where their sacrifices to God were unanswered and they didn't know why, just like with Cain. And that's the unkown, their ignorance(the unkown) was a threat to the world they grew up in(the known world). A lot of this I have synthesized from listening to Jordan Peterson and confirming those ideas from people like Bishop Barron and Fr. Mike Schmitz, but not all of this has been confirmed, the parts that haven't been confirmed I've sort of read between the lines. I think this is the correct interpretation of the story of the flood, but be skeptical of it cuz I'm no priest or bishop or theologian.
Genesis 1:26 :- Then God said "And now ??we?? will make human beings; they will be like ??us?? and resemble ??us??.... (Plural). Genesis3:22:- Then the Lord God said, "Now the man has become like one of ??us?? and has knowledge of what is good and what is bad... Why does God use the words ??we??, ??us??, in these two verses??.
What these 2 verses say to me is, that in the beginning Mankind(humanity) was polytheistic; mankind had many Gods. The next stage in our spiritual development is monotheism, One God. The God of Abraham. Finally we have Jesus of Nazareth; one who is both man & God. One who Is both human & divine. I feel that this is part of Jesus purpose, to convey this message to us?
@@user-rn5tz8pj5q Thanks for your comment, Batata & I get your drift. However, I do not think that this was the writer’s intention. I feel that these plurals were written into each verse for a purpose? and are certainly not a clerical error. Regards Eric
I enjoyed this commentary, but it was actually about a spiritual reading of Genesis. The importance of taking Genesis as a historical account cannot be understated, because to us creatures of the senses, what actually happens in the material world is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, the illuminist, and then later atheistic, perspective in which the natural sciences are exercised give the impression that it is not possible to read Genesis literally. But what the philosophers and theologians of the Church don't seem to understand, all kids going through school, seem to - and the results are obvious.
The basic foundation in knowing and understanding the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ is knowing first from the very beginning the 6 Days of Creation. It is where wisdom and understanding begins. (Take note of the number 6 because it is a God's chosen number for Man including Jesus Christ !!! Adam the Alpha - 6th day God created Jesus Christ - 6th Kingdom (1. Babylonian Kingdom 2. Medo-Persian Kingdom 3. Greek Kingdom 4. 1st Roman Kingdom (united) 5. 2nd Roman Kingdom (divided) 6. Jesus Christ Kingdom Last Adam , the Omega - (another number 6)
Thank you so much! Love to heat you, always great! I have trouble with the notion that violence can ever be justified I must say. That would contradict the early church, wouldn't it? They could have fought back and not being executed in their hundreds of thousands. And then also Pope Francis would modify the paragraph in the CCC saying that fighting is never allowed for Catholics, I seems to recollect reading. I don't know, take the crusades, for example, it is incredibly strident to think of the beginning centuries, before Constantine, and about about them. Thanks!
Romans 1: 8 First I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ… It is not Jesus who gives thanks to God, but God who is not Jesus. John 20:17 Jesus saith unto him, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I will ascend unto my Father, and to your Father, and to my God, and to your God. Rev 3:12 He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall come out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which shall come down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. Rev 7:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Is it not clear that God is not Jesus Christ, not the Lamb, but the Father ?! If it is not clear, then killing many heretics has taken your mind and you do not have the spirit of God
I could listen to these podcasts on repeat, all day, every day. You are a national treasure, Bishop.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! Thank You.
Completely agree.
You need to check out Sam Shamoun. His wonderful in-depth knowledge of the Bible is masterful, powerful, & beautiful.
You are so right, Claudia. You took the words out of my mouth. He is a national treasure.
Rather God's treasure.
Dear Bishop Barron, thank you very much for these deep insights! As a Catholic Christian, theoretical physicist and computer scientist the fundamental wisdom in Genesis (and the complete Bible) has fascinated me for all my life.
@Mysterious Mind There are Christians in the Catholic Church but there is also a lot of dead wood amongst us also.
So your mystery is now solved !
@Mysterious Mind If you profess the words of the Nicene Creed which is the Creed of Christendom, you are my brother in Christ as we worship the same God our Father, who is the Father of our brother The lord Jesus Christ
The term Catholic Christian is liken to calling someone a human man. The Catholic Church was the beginning of the church started by God, Jesus Christ . And the followers of Jesus became known as Christians. Other denominations can trace their beginnings to one person who did not claim to be God, as Jesus did.
@@kathyandlee All Christians look back to their origin to the apostolic Church and the teaching of the apostles.
The apostolic teaching is summarised in the New Testament Scriptures.
In The Apostolic Church there was no Marian Dogmas or praying to the saints or indulgences or burning of incense or statues or icons or rosaries or benediction.
The original church was a simple church where faith in Christ was paramount.
@MysteriousMindStudios you just argued against yourself…
Bishop Barron is the most sophisticated and yet easily understood bishop I have come across. I really appreciate his teachings.
Thank you so much for all these podcasts.
Is it possible to get the journal if you don't live in the USA?
God bless
I prayed a special prayer for someone passing through hard times, a hard time which seem to be mental, financially and emotionally damaging. I pray for this person reading this, that God will come to your rescue, wipe your tears and restore you whole in Jesus name. Amen
Thank you brother 🙏🏻 I need God's grace
Thankyou,been down for along time.Fighting the good fight is more than his burden is light and his yoke is easy.Grace works better.
Amen
Thank you.
Amen, Thank you 🙏
I hope Fr. Barron is our Pope someday. He is the most eloquent scholar and exudes the grace of the Holy Spirit. I really hope he is able to "rest" by taking some time off doing some sight seeing or whatever he likes to do. We ask too much of our priests and Bishops and they don't get enough time off. Thank you for making me a holier woman.
Unlikely considering he won’t even engage in meaningful discussions with an atheist. That shows he most likely doesn’t know his subject very well.
@@stephaniezank7717
What do you think is his subject?
@@marypinakat8594 the bible for a start.
@@marypinakat8594 none of your business
@@stephaniezank7717
Is it your business to go uninvited to someone's personal space and to move around there in contempt?
I just love the Bishop's communication skills. His knowledge of life shines thru the clouds of misunderstanding, which produces sunlight .
Bless you and your spiritual work.
I re-watched this today shortly before today's (Saturday's) Vigil Mass. What you said about God resting / savoring really sunk in. I always try to be present with Jesus after Holy Communion. Today I savored being united with Him. I savored each aspect to the Mass as we progressed through it. Made it much more fulfilling. Thank you, Bishop Barron.
Jesus is not God.
@@hassanmirza2392bro he is God in human form☠
@@pickletom
LOL! That is paganism, what you are saying.
@@hassanmirza2392 no
Bishop Barron really shines through with these conversations. This is totally his wheelhouse!
So blessed to hear the wisdom of Bishop Barron each week. He helps to fill my soul with the knowledge and love of God and our faith.
Theological poetry? HUH? Is Christianity a Religion or the one truth? Robber Barron seeks to steal your salvation.
@@pattikettler9825 zßzzaXxxxxxzßzz
L
@@fellowsinner7216 I can understand your doubt. At one time the genesis account was considered not only factual but also historical.
When science came to the forefront the Church was eventually forced to change its mind. It simply adjusted her belief to neutralise the facts.
It is now considered poetry to safeguard the existence of God. We are now told it is all poetry but God is real and is no myth.
A lot of Catholics feel betrayed , why did it take nearly 2000 years for the Church to now say " Hey you are misunderstanding Genesis with its genre , it is poetry"
(yet for 2 millenium we told you it actually happened the way it was written )The silent exodus from the Church simply continues unabated and catholics are voting with their feet.
I agree with the rosary as a best way of mental prayer. It lead me out of the darkness in my life and lead me to the best journey of my life. Everything that I could ever imagined that was impossible to happen, finding the rosary lead me to my beautiful life today. Mama Mary guided me without me noticing it. ♥️
I thank you tot have been listening, Jesus bless you 🙏🙏
The book that really helped me understand the creation account was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's book, In the Beginning.
Thank you, I have to read it.
In the Beginning is one of my favorite books. I read parts of it weekly, and I find a deepened understanding each time. I don't think I will ever finish with it. If you have not read it, I highly recommend it.
U
That analogy of not being able to find an author within a novel is genius.
he got it from CS Lewis
thank you. i was lucky to have had a class in college called old testament as literature and it was and thoroughly broken down as you have described here. there are way more styles and motifs in the old testament than a cursory reading would lead one to believe. the instructor was careful to admonish solo scriptura folk that we were examining the growth and history of the old testament not arguing the religious content. but the historical context is so essential to understanding the texts that we have she stressed. this was just after the dead sea scrolls had visited berkeley campus in oakland. the class brought everything into reality.
Fairly new listening for me….very insightful way to navigate christian questions. Bishop Barron is a highly qualified professor of Christianity.
Thank you to bishop Barron and WoF team. God’s blessings to you ( WoF team ) and to all those that follow along as “we” gather together.🇨🇦✝️
I am so glad to hear that this priest interprets Genesis allegorically. I have a whole amazing allegorical study on Genesis. Apostolic Church Father, Origen Adamantius, is by far the best interpreter of Genesis. I have learned so much biblical truth from his homilies. Unfortunately, there are many Christians, who do not understand Genesis. They do not understand the meaning of allegories, symbolisms and metaphors.
Articulate, insightful, and beautiful. Looking forward to this series
Thank you for sharing this Word on Fire on the Creation story on Genesis Bishop Robert Barron 🙏
Thank you Bishop Barron.
When reading the Bible, we need to know the genre, the sense, the language, the time it was written, the culture, etc
And when reading Genesis, the LITERAL sense makes the most sense.
Have tried other senses --- metaphorical, allegorical, etc but it's the literal sense that really gets all the tick marks.
You are correct. Reading it in the original language tells you everything. Do you see the Father in the first verse? How about the Spirit? Even Jesus is there. The Hebrew is very descriptive. Your comment is wise and should be fully endorsed. TBTG!
You are a Blessed Bishop for all times and people, transparent scripture needed so desperately in today’s world. Deo Gratias
Genesis leaves you with a flat earth, where the stars and sun revolve around the earth, where the existence of dinosaurs was completely ignored, and where the earth is only 6000 years old.
The Big Bang and evolution are far better explanations for the creation of our universe. They have provided humans with much more than a story to believe. For instance evolution has provided medications and medical treatments that save lives. How hypocritical are people who use these discoveries brought about through understanding the Big Bang and evolution, yet claim these things aren’t real and state that a magic man created them. The real test is in the pudding. You show me god and I’ll show you evidence of the Big Bang and evolution. I know I can meet my end of the bargain without even trying. Can you say the same thing?
@@stephaniezank7717 Well said Stephanie , top marks to you !
@@stephaniezank7717 But Stephanie, Genesis is a theological text. If I want to know the mechanistic way in which the universe works, I go to the Big Bang theory and evolution. If I want to extract meaning out of the universe, in a moral/ philosophical/theological/sense, I reserve the right to go back to Genesis since science has nothing to say on such matters.
Thanks Bishop Barron and Brandon, GOD bless you both . Stay safe. ➕❤
Rest, as used in the beginning of Genesis, is more like the function of a REST in sheet of music. One section complete, take a beat, that pause creates shape, form, meaning. Take a beat. Then comes the next part.
What a blessed show . . . Thank you Bishop Barron!
What a wonderful explanation of the Book of Genius, our Creator God, and mankind's relationship to God, creation and to the Earth. Bishop Barron is such a wonderful teacher and servant of God! Thank you so much!!
As a Christian I have done hours upon hours of research on this, and while this view on creation makes the most sense, my remaining question that I cannot seems to find answer to is regarding the geneology/ancestry mentioned in first 2 books of Bible. If Genesis is largely allegorical then wouldn't that make the ancestry lines mentioned throughout it (Noah, Abraham) erroneous? And if so, what would this mean for the New Testament and the ancestry of Jesus?
I struggle with this indeed
These are my same exact thoughts! Please share if you come to any realizations or understandings. I'm trying to reconcile this in my head.
I'm getting Jordan Peterson vibes from this new series. I'm excited to see it flourish!
This is so important in the book of Genesis.
I used to believe in millions of years like Hugh Ross
Right now I take the Bible literally six days of creation
Bishop Baron I hope you read this and get connected to these people listed
I would love to hear your comments. Thank you so much Bishop.
dr. Doug Petrovich Genesis creation
Dr. Kurt Wise Noah’s flood
Also Ken Ham answers in Genesis.
Love that you're doing this episode, Bishop and Mr. Vogt! Thank you, both !
Great dialogue, no doubt.
I've always love the story of creation because it shows the Unselfishness of God.He didn't have to create this world and everything in it, but he did.
He savored/enjoyed the beauty of all his creations, but that's also the sad part when the Serpent destroyed that " savoring moment".It made me sad whenever I meditate on this part because after enjoying/savoring the greatness of his work, the hard and painful work awaits.....to become one of what he created and suffered in the very hands of his creations.Just heartbreaking! :(
Love all your explanation , Bishop and looking forward to part 2 of this Genesis discussion.
Thankfully,
Linda Worsham
The genre is historical narrative. Evidence includes: the genealogies, the precise dates, "'this is the written record of the generations of Adam (Genesis 5:1)"
@prairie mark Yes. Why would Moses write one book in multiple genres? The Pentateuch, Joshua, I and II Samuel, 1 and II Kings...me thinks it's all wriitten in the same genre of historical narrative.
@prairie mark Billions of years is not proven in biology, geology or astronomy. Scientists make many assumptions; the evidence is inconsistent; there is much unexplained. History is not subject to the scientific method. It is not repeatable. God was there at the beginning. The scientists were not there. Genesis and the The Church have taught Creation for centuries and there's no need to change that now becuase scientists have their extrapolations. Extrapolations can't predict the future and they are inadequate to explain the past.
@@martyfromnebraska1045 What would be your evidence of that? Creation in six days is supernatural; Noah's ark and the global flood is an account of the supernatural. We still have the supernatural happening later in Genesis in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph. From the start, Genesis is in the genre of reporting about generations. See these references from Genesis: "The generations of heaven and earth" (Gen 2:4); generations of Adam (Gen 4:1); generations of...Noah (6:9); the sons of Noah (10:1); Shem (11:10); Terah (11:27); Isaac (25:19); Jacob (37:2 and extending into his generations in Egypt through the end of Genesis). Moses may have had clay tablets as sources from which to write his historical narrative.
@@martyfromnebraska1045 Genesis 12-50 is the story of Abraham and his family. Genesis 1-11 provide the background info. The supernatural happens daily when bread and wine are consecrated in the Mass to become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The supernatural happens throughout the Book of Genesis. Creation is supernatural. The "Big Bang" is a naturalistic explanation that seeks to replace the supernatural narrative as told in Genesis.
Bishop Barron, thank you for this but I also hear your frustration. What if you produce a series on creation similar to the Catholicism series? Just a thought.
Thank you thank you. Bishop's explanation is so inspiring. I never understand that deep. "God rested on the 7th day is to savor the good... " If I follow Jesus on earth, I also like to take rest to savor / taste the good's around me. How much joy it is . Thank you once again. God bless.
Don't take much for you, do it?
Thank you very much for your great video.. really useful dear father...
I find that Dr. Doug Petrovich has the correct meaning of genesis chapter 1
A problem that I have with comparing the Bible to other literature is that it encourages people to think that God is just a literary character, and religion is just a fandom of some fiction series.
To not compare would mean we should just believe it because ….. because why? Because God says so? Human beings like benchmark comparisons to put things in context. The problem that I have with believing for it’s own sake is that it diminishes my ability to be curious, and seek to understand. God created our minds to seek truth, and much of scripture requires us to seek and believe in God’s truth especially when we get to an intersection that may not make logical sense and our temporal experience. God is the master narrator, master creator and He knows those of us who truly believe do not categorize Him trivially.
@@lisadelgreco2646 Ok, I phrased it wrong. What I meant to say, id that comparing the Bible to other literature would be placing God on the same level as fictional characters. Therefore, when making a comparison, we should explain where the limits of the analogy is, and when naive comparison becomes misleading.
@@robd8457 Not denying it, but the real question posed by the doubting people is whether God himself is a fiction.
@@robd8457
Is it that some of us are lazy or careless enough not to make some effort, let alone take some trouble to seek out and know.
J.R.R. Tolkien, a practicing Catholic said that the Christian story is a myth, in fact the only true myth. I understand how this might seem off-putting at first, but there is some deep truth in this. The story of Christ might be just a story, but stories are way more important that what modern people think. We now tend to regard "facts" as the building blocks of reality but as Alasdair McIntyre once quipped "facts, like wigs for men are a 17th century invention". Everyday reality is in fact built around stories. Salvation is the blue-print and the justification of all stories
The bible is like my daily horoscopes from the newspaper..it seems to be accurate because it lacks specific examples..very vague and can be interpreted many ways.The bible is the same...amen
Beware of excess studio technology…..you were great when you started.Thankyou for your message
I still miss the homey feel of the small library behind him
@@jesseholthaus8357 If you have the right environment in front of you with a homely feeling , you can listen better and thereby grow in your understanding.
Also to have a library behind you , reveals to me the speaker has a love of learning and is worthy to listen too.
Thank you , Jesse , you have made a very wise statement and should be heeded.
Es un placer escucharlo
I Saw the procession after My death kind of deluge where i was helping people to scape up mountains cause all was down water or mud no house up or mountains few only as Airport
Melwille knew arguabrly too much about whaling ships :D I made it about half way in and gave up, the musings about the color white was what got me
Thanks for the presentation. One question? Why is the Catholic Church so indifferent in producing really good Study Bibles! I am Catholic but use the Crossway ESV Study Bible due to the Catholic faith having nothing as well designed available for it's congregation. This is even more frustrating considering the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is the oldest and largest Christian denomination. Thanks.
@Ubi Fides thanks, but I am searching for a complete Catholic study bible OT & NT. I am yet to find a Catholic study bible that comes close to Crossway's ESV: it has extensive notes, charts, diagrams, maps throughout and articles on Christian faiths and other World faiths, etc. In using it one must be aware of theological differences in faith with Catholicism but to their credit they acknowledge the Catholic view but disagree.
@@jezamania The Great Adventure Study Bible by Ascension is a great one
@@jezamania, there are 3 editions you can find for sale on the internet, The Jerome Biblical Commentary, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, and The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the 21st Century. While not study Bibles, they are the best for research. The New American Bible has introductions and commentary included but not like the Jerome Commentaries.
Bishop Barron Where can we find the end of this metaphoric saga and the beginning of the actual saga in the Bible?
Can you put these in a playlist so we know the order?
Word.
Impossible to change them to SOME relativity to the transcendent ? ( Hitchens, et.al.)
Oh, I don't know, Bishop. Resting in a hammock for all eternity sounds pretty good to me some days. Rest in peace, as they say. 😊
I think my problem like a lot of people have when both reading or having another conversation with someone again as before to take up the same 2 topics in the basic law of all laws in faith concepts being discussed as before then if in the meantime I have been running off on a tangent when trying to stay focused enough on my numerous set of topmost current goals while remembering only less important details from the last reading session or conversation then when for example when with the same person I am catching up with to be conversing again on the same topic conversation then I end up not taking up the same thread right away to be listening and being truly present in the current conversation while only recalling only unrelated details from the meantime. Then I end up missing the point sometimes altogether about what the current topic of second conversation is for awhile.
Wake up babe, new Bishop Barron video just dropped
I'm confused. If Genesis is not to be taken literally, then it is wrong to interpret Paul as saying sin literally entered the world through the man Adam. Original sin is therefore a literary device. No sane God would require the real blood sacrifice of an innocent human to atone for it. For consistency, should the resurrection story be treated the same as Genesis - an instructive "theological myth"?
The Catholic Church still requires belief in a literal first man - Adam, and a first woman - Eve, who through their literal falling into sin brought original sin into humanity.
@@michaelraney Then Bishop Barron is incorrect in proposing that Genesis is akin to theological myth. No?
Also, if the church teaches that there was a first human, then it is in direct opposition to the verifiable mechanisms of evolution. Homo Sapiens emerged slowly over time and there was never a first homo sapiens - much like French evolved over time from other languages, but there was never a first person who spoke French.
What he is saying is dangerous. You can contextualize anything away with what he is saying. If he was asked this question 150 years ago he would have said something different. If you can’t believe God when all the world says something different, then I wonder how much you trust him. His problem is that he is trying to win atheists. The Bible says atheists are fools. You can’t argue with someone like that.
Whoa, careful with some of these comments as some seem to be putting words in the good Bishops mouth. First, poetic language does not infer it is just make believe, but that reality is infused inside specific imagery that tells of truths in eternal ways. Remember, this is ancient Jewish culture. Not 2020 America. As to the word “myth”. I believe he referenced it around “in the traditional meaning” or similar. I have often liked the analogies of the Bible akin to the daily newspaper …. There are factual articles, society sections, sports, etc. Each describes realty using different language styles. (Okay, given the dismal state of today’s journalism … that might not the best example! :).
@@1144DC You said: "First, poetic language does not infer it is just make believe, but that reality is infused inside specific imagery that tells of truths in eternal ways."
The problem I have with this is that only a couple of hundred years ago Genesis was taught as the literal truth. Christian interpretation is nothing like it used to be and teachings have changed to accommodate scientific discoveries. That would be fine if the church did not claim to know the immutable mind of god - or at least how to interpret so called revelation.
You said: "I have often liked the analogies of the Bible akin to the daily newspaper …. There are factual articles, society sections, sports, etc. Each describes realty using different language styles."
Perhaps, but as I mentioned above, what were considered to be factual articles yesterday are now considered to be poetry of allegory or myth, etc..
Which just goes to show how messy and unreliable this revelation stuff is.
Blessed Mother's warnings are real?
So many questions and comments, but the best thing here is that the channel posters do not respond to anyone's comments or questions.
God bless bishop Barron..
The Virgin told me pray for that people where i'm since 8 years old Ambo
All very well, but! We know that the Earth came into being after a very long (9 billion year) process of progressive manufacture of elements in the interiors of big stars (stellar nucleosynthesis) (and we see those same processes at work in our galaxy today) . So is the Bishop saying that Gn1:1 encompasses that whole history? And if he is then how is he able to interpret his ex nihilo event to mean billions of years of elemental evolution?
It's hard to comprehend also that believers believe the world was created in seven days. What amazes me is that the writers of Genesis nailed the sequence of creation. Yes, God created everything, but He/She may have taken billions of (human) years.
It blows my mind that believers can’t believe what they can’t wrap their minds around or that God couldn’t have done it.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Just close your eyes and say “Jesus, I don’t have faith in you, please help me believe” Jesus loves you, turn to Him before it is too late. He loves you so much that He died for you. I’m praying for you❤🙏
Do we have to read the Whole Bible in the same way? [ in a metaphoric manner)?
God’s power is not something we can always understand He can do anything any way He wants.Created the universe,as He pleases,we are called to believe,trust the Creator,simple faith.
one of the main reasons i have a problem with genesis is that it positions god outside of the universe, but then deeply concerned with the particularities of the universe. i don't understand how an infinite being can care about the particulars of a finite being. it makes sense for the greek and roman pantheons to care about worldly events, because they have to live in the world. it makes sense for people to care about the world for the same reason. that reason does not extend to some sort of primal force responsibile for all things, good and evil.
The offer is for Canada too? To register at the institute?
the problem today is people try to judge the bible with science. what we should be doing is judging science with the bible.
Great comment: Do you believe in the library?
Thankyou Bishop & word on fire for your wonderful ministry. Bishop have you listened to Astrophysicist Dr Hugh Ross’s commentary on the bible as revealing scientific truth? His witness as a Christian scientist is amazing - very compelling& is leading many people to explore Christianity Have you ever mentioned him in any of your talks? God bless you & WOF ministries🙏🏼
I understand it now
Does God expect people to understand the theological saga or poetry to get his message? Or do we all have to take a Ph.D in Bible to understand it? God could have conveyed his message in the simplest and the shortest way.
Fulton Sheen of our time
Dr. Peter Hugh Ross has explained the Genesis creation account in perfect scientific account. I find his interpretation of Genesis creation is so mind blowing. It is so very scientific in it's every detail. He explains from the Bible that a day mentioned in creation account does not mean 24 hour day since the sun and moon does not appear until later. (Note: the creation account is decribed from the man's view point of location. That is, from the surface of the Earth. We see that sun and moon appear later in the sky after the scientific process of condensation of the atmosphere which makes the sun and moon visible from the earth surface and so on....)
There is nothing wrong with what he is saying. But if you are engaged with biblical literalists who are convinced in the historic truth of scripture to just refer to "genre" is too little. Because there is no doubt about Adam and Eve being regarded in the whole bible as real people experiencing real history. But I guess that would need another discussion.
Bishop, just wanted to share for any thoughts you may have on Venerable Sister Mary of Agreda, a seventeenth-century Spanish nun in her book “The Mystical City of God” on her account of Creation. She received many visions of heaven and the afterlife (she also reportedly bilocated) and says that at Creation, as told in Genesis, the earth was created with space for hell and purgatory in the middle of it, with the middle of the earth indeed full of fiery molten rock and lava. And at the moment God said “let there be light” there was the creation of the angels endowed with beauty, intellect, will, and numerous other graces, and mentions other fascinating details about Mary, and Adam & Eve, in her account.
And it sure doesn't include evolution does it? Yet most Catholics wouldn't even believe her account, her say we have to "read it in the right genre" as Bishop Barron says. It is heart breaking that Catholic theologians and intellectuals will try to say God used evolution to make man and all living creatures. As if God's creation which he made was "good" to include billions of years of absolute death and destruction in a horrible and brutal darwinist process to create man. Does that seem like how Jesus Christ would create to you? God is a loving Creator who creates ex nilo out of nothing, a perfect Universe. Evolution, as supported by most Catholics, makes a mockery of the goodness of God. Tell me God is a good God who made cancer, death, and horrible suffering? All of which is required for evolution. Because he didn't, these things are a result of the Fall and man's sin. This is the literal view of Genesis that actually maintains the goodness of God and is the 100% historical view of Church Fathers.
Excellent.
Please please talk about original sin in one of these episodes. I just don't understand it - why God allows it, especially when Mary was born without it. It seems like it was Mary's God-given dispensation from original sin that allowed her to be "perfect" - so why wouldn't God allow all of us to be born without it; it's certainly possible, right? Original sin and generational sin all seems so unjust, I mean flat out corrupt, from a God who is infinitely just. And what in the hell (no pun intended) was the serpent doing in the Garden in the first place; God's original plan for Adam and Eve incuded being tempted by the devil?
This is one doctrine that to this day still throws me for a loop. I am, unfortunately, well-acquainted with sin and suffering. I reverted several years ago, and I find myself trying to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The problem is I am a human-being, which means I relate to people through my senses, touch, hearing, sight, precisely in ways that I can't relate to Jesus. What kind of relationship is this then? I feel like I'm the one making the effort, going to God, but so often it feels like I'm going to an imaginary friend. And the one person responsible for teaching/showing me who God the Father is, was himself an awful father. So I'm screwed - I've got nothing. I've got all sorts of my own problems now and I'm going through life trying to be a good person, I frequent the sacraments and prayer and spiritual reading, yet God is silent. And everytime I bear my cross and die to myself, which is incredibly painful, all the glory belongs to God because it's grace that allows me to do those things in the first place, and yet any time I sin, it's my fault and I'm worthy of condmenation? And all this because of original sin?
I love my Catholic faith. I don't know where else I'd go to find purpose and truth, but there's still so much that doesn't make sense, that we have to accept as mystery. Sometimes I wonder if it's better not to think about these things at all - everytime I do, I end up in a place of confusion, hurt, frustration, and despair.
Eastern orthodoxy doesn't believe in original sin per se. Look up what they say on the matter.
To all Catholics watching this - you may believe in the literal interpretation of Genesis same as the other three senses of Scripture. It is not a matter of salvation, so don’t be concerned if others believe in the modern evolutionary model.
Yes I believe in Genesis literally precisely because of its power as a mythological saga as Bishop Barron refers to. The most powerful saga is one that literally happened.
If you disagree, that’s fine. But I caution that once you explain away one portion of the Bible as a mythological saga, it becomes a real temptation to explain more and more of it in those terms.
Every single time Jesus refers to Genesis 1-11 he refers to it as historical fact. Look through the Gospels and you'll see. The Church Fathers all confirm that the style of Genesis is that of sacred history, not allegory (like the Canticle of Canticles) or "mythological saga".
@@FrMaximilianMaryDean
Deeply grateful for your presence☆
Michael Raney,
Bishop Barron has not pronounced any verdict that Genesis is merely mythological saga.
@@FrMaximilianMaryDean Thank you for defending orthodox teaching when so many in the Church hierarchy teach this modernist evolution nonsense.
Rest in the good...possessed...we are restless till we rest in thee...Dante understood this..and conveyed this .well.
Why should a book from thousands of years ago be accurate..the folk back then could not tell you the time.
While I do apreciate your take on this, does the bible itself claims that the book of Genesis is not literal? You went on to explain how several lines of genesis had a very different meaning than what it's actually written, based on what? Do you think the people who received these "books" back then would've taken it this way? Isn't it more rational to conclude they took it exactly as it's written, in a more simplistic, less complicated, literal sense? If so, why would God write in a way to leave his readers have a faulty interpretation for so long up until men was inteligent enough to interpret it a more advanced and complex way. Otherwise, why would New Testament writers mention these things literally? Like when Jesus said his coming would be just like in Noah's days, when people were eating and drinking and the flood just came. Or when Moses appeared with other OT prophets to the disciples, or when Paul mentioned Job as an example to be followed. Aren't you saying that God is not for the simple minded, but his word can only be understood by a highly educated mind?
Genesis should be taken literally. If it goes against the reality of facts, it should be dismissed, not interpreted in another way. When a religion is proven to be faulty, we should dismiss it, not change it.
Thanks Bishop,
Before the age of modern science, people would take Genesis quite literally (I believe), but with better scientific discoveries and understanding of the world around us we could construct a model of the development of the universe, the planets, the earth, life, etc. in a different light. Is it because of the modern understanding of science that prompts us to emphasize the real genre and theological purposes of Genesis? Or has it been the original purpose of the book since the beginning?
Even from before the scientific discoveries, theologians were emphasising the spiritual meaning over the literal. Eg. Origen.
@@thyikmnnnn I suppose
@@thyikmnnnn Origen would also have believed both it being literal , but most important the spiritual meaning behind it
I love how the priests and pastors arbitrarily include planets, and universe and and celestial bodies post factum. Yet nowhere in the bible do the biblical writers make any such references. This has nothing to do with admitting that the Bible is a flat earth book because this is not and never was the purpose of the bible in the first place. I guess 1Tessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good" is not a part of their arsenal. What surprises me still is the complete avoidance of the use of bible dictionaries, encyclopedias and concordances. Why is everyone stuck in the literal or exoteric translation of the Good Book?
The largest selling book
in the English language is the Bible; and, yet, few people understand what it
has to say. Because of this need, various translations have altered the original
King James Version published in 1611. Some were helpful in certain areas,
but mostly they tended to lose the beautiful mystical feeling underlying the
words of the King James Version. In each generation there have been those
who felt that the language of the Bible was archaic, that it should be modernized. Modernizing the language helped some to better understand the Bible in
a literal, or historic, way, but left large areas completely misunderstood, especially those areas where an understanding of symbols, parables, allegories
and such are required.
The Bible is a compilation of treatises on nearly every facet of man’s
life. Within its covers modern psychology will find all that it has to teach. It
is the ultimate philosophy. It shows us how to commune with the unseen
Power within each one of us. It shows us how to take dominion in our lives
through the use of the Power. It is the story of every man in his journey
through life, his mental and spiritual growth. The obstacles and problems he
meets are presented in an understandable way.
The mystics of the ages have rather sensed than interpreted the deep
esoteric meanings hidden within certain words of the Bible. here exist
a usable, workable key the explains the bible codes so that the Bible
may become a more understandable book, not just a book for the religious
but a guidebook for every man. It may ultimately become man’s greatest possession, the answer book for every problem that can ever come into his experience.
That which must be understood is the discovery that modern-day
readers were completely overlooking the meanings behind certain proper
names of people and places, continually featured in Biblical writing, meanings that the ancient writers had taken for granted and assumed would always
be understood. There exists certain numbers and common words had a repetitious use and that when their symbolic or esoteric meaning was understood,
they opened up entirely new avenues of wisdom and understanding. without an understanding of the key to the hidden mysteries that have been concealed in the Bible for
so many years, we are stuck in the erroneous beliefs that we are to be delivered in an afterlife and that this experience on earth is just a testing ground
for us as almost irredeemable sinners.
The Bible is the most important book that has ever been published. It has had
more influence on history and has affected more people’s lives than any other
book. It was not written by one person but, through divine Inspiration, it is
the compilation of the thoughts and ideas of many whose words were passed
down from generation to generation by mouth and by scroll. It did not receive
publication for hundreds of years after the original words were conceived.
Today we think of the Bible as being a part of the household of the Christian
world. It is printed in many languages and each year more Bibles are sold
than any other book, but few are read in comparison to the numbers sold.
Many people feel that they ought to read it and try, but they give up because
they do not understand it. Many of those who do read it take it literally, without knowing the inner meaning, and miss the best part.
Having an Open Mind Is Necessary.
Have you shied away from the Bible, considering it a series of genealogies,
bloodthirsty battles, and “thou shall nots” for the morally self-righteous?
Have you considered that much of it was too colorful to be read aloud to the
children? Do you have a casual acquaintance with the Psalms and a speaking acquaintance with the New Testament,
but frankly never get around to reading the rest?
Then, you should re-introduce yourselves to the best guidebook to modern-day living that has ever been written.
If you have thought that the
Bible was dull, bewildering, contradictory, difficult and antiquated, I hope to make you rethink your position,
and that the Bible is a storehouse of inspiration designed to
fit every human need, a treasure trove of usable ideas, an infinite source of
wisdom; most of all, a book of life, your life and my life.
The Bible Project podcast is doing a series now on a similar topic! They even make a reference to Moby Dick. I think the good Bishop is listening t the same.
Maybe, but I have CDs of (then) Father Barron's sermons from 20 years ago in which he refers to Moby Dick.
Why did God take six days to create everything in the world? Since He is God, He could have created everything in one day by His Word. Why did God create only man in the beginning, then realized that man is lonely and decided to create a suitable companion for man? Does that mean God's plan was not good?
My reality relies exclusively on the success of families
Amen
Very nice explanation. But all cannot understand.
Dr Hugh Ross has much to say explaining these things !!
I used to believe in millions of years like Hugh Ross.
But that actually is putting the Bible down a path of unbelief.
It’s actually undermining the word of God.
Doctor Doug Petrovich, On Genesis Creation.
Also Dr. Kurt Wise,
On The flood of Noah
Bishop, please do this for every book in the old testament....😀
I have a question that's not related to this video but I really need guidance. I recently read a NYT interview with Raymond Burke, a man that I abhor and detest personally and theologically. But he said something that I found to be righteous. He was asked about a potential punishment to deal with pedophiles that have infiltrated the Church. This is a direct quote:
"Up until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council there were a whole series of rites for the degradation of a cleric who betrayed the holiness of his office....For instance, if it was an archbishop or bishop, they’d dress him in the full vestments and then take them off one by one, with these very severe declarations, and then at the end, scrape the hands that had been anointed at ordination with a knife to signify that this person had completely betrayed the office."
What was the name of this rite? Whatever the name I have come to believe that this rite needs to be brought back ASAP. And this time make it a public ceremony. It won't be the silver bullet to the heart of this issue of course, but it would help. However, I also know that the Bible also teaches us to be on our guard against vengenace. What are your thoughts on this rite being reinstituted?
Where can we find Bishop Barron's response to your questions?
Amen!🙏
Who is Daunte (spelling mistake) ,you mention this person a lot, in your sermons ,the talks.
Dante was an Italian writer in the 13th/14th century. He wrote the Divine Comedy, three books of poetry called the Inferno, the Purgatorio and the Paradisio….hell, purgatory and heaven. 😊
That was beautiful, your Excellency.
It often seems this comes from a place of belief first then interpretation. Which is fine if you admit that is the case but to then sit and go through these stories discussing them like they can be explained logically is not. I'm not closed to Christianity, infact I think it's what we need at the moment and I'm trying my best with it. But it's frustrating to me that Christians won't admit that the fact these passages are open to interpretation is a real problem. I'm not saying these interpretations are wrong I'm asking where does this certainty come from? Why not admit we can never really know!?
I think that "belief" is the leap of faith. So I understand if you are not there yet that it feels unforfilling. But I also know that there are way more arguments for Christianity than this talk alone. But at the core of it is prayer. Give up you're endless thoughts and try to be one with Him that you do not comprehend completely. Greetings from Holland.
@@hanskoek674
That's an awesome help, your Comment☆
So Saint Francis of Asís get in LOVE from God!
Just think about the story of the flood, and how the names of the people in the bible referred to kinds of people in our historical past, not exactly individuals or cultures or civilizations, but kinds of people. Now think about the meaning of the name Noah, it means tranquility. A people of the kind of tranquility, a people defined by tranquility survived the great flood. Now think about the flood, a wave devastation by means of water. Water is described as a chaotic force, chaos is when the known world is perceived to be under threat by the unknown. Now think about what led up to the flood, the existence of the Nephilim, the Nephilim are children of the sons of God(an artistic choice for the followers of God but really they are the descendants or you could think of them as the derivatives of Seth) and the daughters of Cain(Cain was exiled, he was a sinner, but he was protected by God and the femininity of "daughters" is meant to refer to how chaos is feminine.) So a people who correctly followed God mixed with people who did not(Cain did worship God rightly and that's what led to his jealousy of Able), their children were sort of tainted by the practices of the people who did not follow God rightly, tainted in how children mature by copying their parents. And since the two kinds of people bread with each other and not among themselves the Nephilim came to be the average/dominant kind of person in humanity and there were no longer any sons of God, or people who followed God rightly. And you could think of following God rightly as the recipe for success and a meaningful life, so no one followed the recipe, so the world that these "children" grew up in (the known world) was perceived to come under threat by the world they were turning it into, unknowing of the falseness of their ways they had learned from their parents. The world was becoming a place where their sacrifices to God were unanswered and they didn't know why, just like with Cain. And that's the unkown, their ignorance(the unkown) was a threat to the world they grew up in(the known world).
A lot of this I have synthesized from listening to Jordan Peterson and confirming those ideas from people like Bishop Barron and Fr. Mike Schmitz, but not all of this has been confirmed, the parts that haven't been confirmed I've sort of read between the lines. I think this is the correct interpretation of the story of the flood, but be skeptical of it cuz I'm no priest or bishop or theologian.
As a child it is fascinating, I remember.
I was dressed of white and flying and people alive was pulling what altar boys had at his belt white too and the rain can't stopped
Genesis 1:26 :- Then God said "And now ??we?? will make human beings; they will be like ??us?? and resemble ??us??.... (Plural). Genesis3:22:- Then the Lord God said, "Now the man has become like one of ??us?? and has knowledge of what is good and what is bad... Why does God use the words ??we??, ??us??, in these two verses??.
What these 2 verses say to me is, that in the beginning
Mankind(humanity) was polytheistic; mankind had many Gods.
The next stage in our spiritual development is monotheism,
One God. The God of Abraham.
Finally we have Jesus of Nazareth; one who is both man & God.
One who Is both human & divine. I feel that this is part of Jesus
purpose, to convey this message to us?
Ever heard of the royal "we"?
"We declare [such and such]"
@@user-rn5tz8pj5q Thanks for your comment, Batata & I get your drift. However, I do not think that this was the writer’s intention. I feel that these plurals were written into each verse for a purpose? and are certainly not a clerical error. Regards Eric
@@ericrobertson9817 to be fair I do think so as well
@@user-rn5tz8pj5q Thanks for your reply
🙏
I enjoyed this commentary, but it was actually about a spiritual reading of Genesis. The importance of taking Genesis as a historical account cannot be understated, because to us creatures of the senses, what actually happens in the material world is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, the illuminist, and then later atheistic, perspective in which the natural sciences are exercised give the impression that it is not possible to read Genesis literally. But what the philosophers and theologians of the Church don't seem to understand, all kids going through school, seem to - and the results are obvious.
The basic foundation in knowing and understanding the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ is knowing first from the very beginning the 6 Days of Creation. It is where wisdom and understanding begins. (Take note of the number 6 because it is a God's chosen number for Man including Jesus Christ !!!
Adam the Alpha - 6th day God created
Jesus Christ - 6th Kingdom (1. Babylonian
Kingdom 2. Medo-Persian Kingdom 3. Greek Kingdom 4. 1st Roman Kingdom (united) 5. 2nd Roman Kingdom (divided) 6. Jesus Christ Kingdom
Last Adam , the Omega - (another number 6)
19:34
Trust God's word folks,the bible not is truth&,has authority
What's the body count?
Thank you so much! Love to heat you, always great! I have trouble with the notion that violence can ever be justified I must say. That would contradict the early church, wouldn't it? They could have fought back and not being executed in their hundreds of thousands. And then also Pope Francis would modify the paragraph in the CCC saying that fighting is never allowed for Catholics, I seems to recollect reading. I don't know, take the crusades, for example, it is incredibly strident to think of the beginning centuries, before Constantine, and about about them. Thanks!
Romans 1: 8 First I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ…
It is not Jesus who gives thanks to God, but God who is not Jesus.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto him, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I will ascend unto my Father, and to your Father, and to my God, and to your God.
Rev 3:12 He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall come out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which shall come down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
Rev 7:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Is it not clear that God is not Jesus Christ, not the Lamb, but the Father ?! If it is not clear, then killing many heretics has taken your mind and you do not have the spirit of God