Thread:TheSquidychicken/@comment-31308946-20170525193032/@comment-32211498-20170612232456

Sorry I haven't been on in a bit, I had a test to study for. Anyway, I'm sorry Lys that my answers don't satisfy you. I know I haven't answered all your questions, because I seriously don't have the time unfortunately. If there is something specific you'd like to expound upon I'd be happy to do it when I can.

Mithrandir, as for your question the answer

"Is everything in the Bible to be taken literally, or could some things be taken metaphorically or symbolically?"

The answer to this is that the context of the passage will define if they are being used as a metaphor, a parable, or a historical account. The way Genesis is written in the KJV is as a historical account. As far as I know any metaphors are made clear like when the Bible said "one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day"  (1 Peter 3:8 in case you are curious) This particular passage is what is often used to try to fit the Genesis creation account into evolutionary theory. However, this passage is not referencing creation, if you look at the following verse the statement was to people who were wondering why God was taking so long to pass His judgement. It merely is refering to God's vastness and beign outside of time. While God could plausibly have used evolution to do creation, that isn't what the Bible says. I personally wonder like you do why he took so long lol. The seven days he took (or six technically) were purely to give an appropriate work rest schedule which we now use as the week.

Unfortunately, I only have time to answer one question at a time since med school is a beast, but I'll do my best to put them out there as much as possible.