Random Babble - Unfinished thoughts

So at Discovery class today, one of the pastors was questioned on his beliefs about evolution. I agreed with what he said. Basically, he doesn't believe the bible should be taken as a book of science nor does he believe the creation story was literally 7 days (24 hours each). After all the sun and stars were not created until the 4th Day...therefore God's "days" are obviously not our days since we base ours on the sun. Then someone asked if man possibly evolved from something else...what about Adam and Eve? Did they exist? After class, I mentioned that a class I had taken in anthropology stated that at some point in the development of mankind, God chose two people to establish his Covenant with and breathed life into them. It's an interesting theory, but of course, it's just speculation. I mentioned that in the long run it's really unimportant...and didn't really have a chance to qualify why I said it was unimportant. Of course it's important to know that God made the universe and man, but maybe it's not important to understand all of the details. I struggled with that through high school. Some Christians say that evolution is absolutely false and the Genesis story is literal, but as someone trained in biological science...it seems as if the evidence points toward evolution rather than against it (there are still a lot of flaws with the theory of evolution). Eventually I decided
1. I believe the bible to be God's word.
2. The creation in genesis was not meant to be taken as a scientific work - more poetic
3. my understanding of how exactly God created the world is in the end...unnecessary.

I don't have to understand it. With 100% certainty I can say that even if He told me it would be completely beyond my comprehension. HOWEVER, just because I believe in evolution does not minimize the fact that God created everything. I can believe both in evolution and God's creation and the two do not conflict. After I decided that in college/high school, I felt a lot more peace about it..and stopped worrying about it.

The facts I do know are really important and central to my faith:

1. God created the universe
2. God created man in His image and gave mankind freewill.
3. Man undervalued God, overestimated himself, and sinned against God.
4. God is entirely perfect in every way. Therefore imperfection (ie sinful man) cannot be in His presence and live. The penalty is death and eternal separation from God, and Satan stands ready to accuse.
5. Man is utterly incapable of saving himself.
6. God in His infinite mercy sends His perfect, holy Son to pay the penalty so man can be restored God's presence if he accepts Christ as Lord and Savior.
7. Jesus is fully God
8. Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
9. After accepting Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer.
10. God is present today and as powerful as He ever was. He still works on the Earth and within the hearts of those that dwell on it.

There are probably some things I'm leaving off that list, and I certainly don't have all the answers. ;) But that sums up what I think is "important."


*sigh* Goodnight! I got my thoughts out and now I'm ready for bed! Sorry for any typos.