Year Living Biblically: Month Two

1) Describe / Summarize why Jacobs goes to the creationist museum and the main points or ideas Jacobs learns or struggles with in his visit to the museum.

Jacobs visits because he says that creationism is biblical literalism at its best.
He comments on how it is interesting to see the creation of a creationist museum.
He thinks it is a bit ridiculous that 45% of the US believes in Creationism over Evolution. He believes the museum will be a big deal when it is is finished because it is so controversial. He was taken aback when the founder of Answers in Genesis (the religious group that built the museum)trumped him on a science question. Ken answers many of his literal questions about what is a day and about Adam and Eve's kids. He happily answers them by saying that the language must be translated correctly. The stereotype that extreme religious members are racist isn't actually true, and Jacobs discovered that the Creationists believe Darwinism actually leads to racism because it points out how some races developed before others.
At the end of the museum tour, he buys a book on the Feasability of Noah's Ark. He reads it and doesn't believe one word. He realizes his mind isn't as open as he thought.

2) Comment / describe what Jacobs spiritually struggles with or discovers on one of the following:

- Moral vs. ritual laws: Jacob commments on how the Christians believe they don't need to follow the ritual laws as much anymore because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and the ritual laws are outdated from ancient times in Jerusalem. As for the moral laws, they are of utmost importance because they are still relevant, such as the ten commandments.
- "Original intent" of the bible
- Sola Scriptura
- "dancing like king David"

3) Describe what Jacobs specifically admires about the prophets (especially by the end of the second month?

Jacobs admires that the Prophets don't get outright angry with people, they show their resentment in clever ways called "prophetic acts". He loves their message of social justice.

For example, Hosea married a prostitute and named his kids "not pitied" and "not my people."

Jacobs admires that, "They were fearless. They literalized metaphors. They turned their lives to protest pieces (89)."

I think he likes the Prophets because they almost made fun of the fact that in the Bible one can be literal, and perform these acts that make fun of metaphors and symbols.

Also, God says that anger is not good, because it isn't worth it to get mad over the little things like Jonah did.


Remember to add annotations / points of interest as you read and be prepared to discuss. (Hint: I gave you four things to choose from in question 2 - key in on the three you did not choose - they could be your notes / annotations)