[Lurking Libertarian]

Junior, if Genesis is allegory what basis do you have to take anything in Scripture literally?

From my (Jewish) perspective, the answer is that the word "Torah" (the Hebrew name for the Pentateuch) means "the rules." (Jesus called it "the Law"). The Torah is to teach us what to do, how to live our lives. The stories in the Torah may be history or allegory or myth; that is not important: they are there to support the rules. What I find ironic about the attitude of some Christians towards Genesis 1 is that they insist upon the literal truth of the story, but reject its one clear teaching-- that the seventh day should be observed as the day of rest. One Orthodox Rabbi I discussed this with once compared this to "throwing away the orange and keeping the pits."

This is not meant as in any way disrespectful of your faith; just giving you my perspective.

[Aric2000]

The history of christianity changing the holy day from Saturday to SUNday is very fascinating as well.

It has to do with the fact that Sunday was the holy day of the pagan religion that devoted Sunday as it's holy day, and in order to fit in with that religion and make more converts to Christianity, it changed it's holy day to match the pagans.

There were also some other changes made to the Chritian religion at that time, but this is NOT the thread to go into those. Nor would it probably be a good idea to go into those at all.

[Aric2000]

I have always wondered, and since you are here, I might as well ask you.

Why did the Jewish people NOT accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah?

I have some ideas, but from what I understand, the Jewish Messiah, and the Christian Messiah are 2 different things.

The Jews are waiting for a certain type of person, and Jesus did not or was unable to fit that criteria.

Am I at all close?

Thanks.

[DittoJed2]

The answer to the Sabbath question is found in the words of Christ. This is why we consider it non-binding on Gentiles. We celebrate the day of rest as the early church did by gathering together on the Lord's day (Sunday, day of the resurrection).

Mark 2: 23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.