Letter: A Broader Biblical View

I am a Christian minister with a different view than some of what I have been hearing locally. I do not seek any debate but I do feel compelled to write. The Bible is not at odds with our growing knowledge of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Society as a whole is unaware of biblical scholarship and of modern interpretations of the Bible. These understandings have developed during the last one hundred plus years. Mainline Christianity, including most Protestant ministers and Roman Catholic priests, recognize that Genesis and the entire Bible reflect a collection of faith understandings that were the best that ancient people were inspired to put forth; and I emphasize inspired. Modern science does not negate faith and most discerning Christian leaders recognize that today. Yes, we Christians recognize that the universe is billions of years old.

I have spent my life studying the Bible, including the study of biblical Hebrew and the Koine Greek of the New Testament. I am content with and enjoy occasional reading in paleontology. And if one wants to reflect on eternity, simply turn your attention to the night sky and the vastness of space. It is an exciting time to look up, even if up is technically not the right word.

Bob Frank-Plumlee

Lincoln, Mont.