EJCMom Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Do you believe that this story is literally true...the literal reason why there are so many different languages in the world? What do you teach your kids about why there are different languages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keniki Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yes, I do believe this and this is what I teach my children. Admittedly, I am a Christian, but I really haven't ever heard any other explanations that made any sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 To me the Tower of Babel is very interesting, it is like a living example how things can evolve that we can see and experience. Are we discussing Babel as a punishment for wickedness and pride or is it being discussed as a cradle of civilization? This is something Biblical scholars have not agreed on. :) Do I think it is plausible that several languages occurred in one moment? Sure. Do I think it is plausible that the text is offering the land of Shinar and Babel as a cradle? Sure. I can easily see both perspectives. Stories similar to the Tower of Babel appear in in Central America, Africa, India, in Irish folklore and others. It is fascinating. How many years were there between the Flood and the Tower of Babel? It seems most accounts say between 200-700 years, depending on the source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'm going to pm you. I think literal interpretation fits better if a person is a young earth creationist vs. an old earth believer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I honestly don't know. I can't say that I've given much thought to it. I think it would be interesting to hear from a linguist's POV on how languages have evolved. I also think sbgrace is on to something with the young v old believers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yes, I do. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Double post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 No. To me it's a mythical explanation for why there are different languages and also a lesson on our relationship with God. My understanding of how different languages evolved is that they...evolved. Populations moved, a degree of isolation and different environments, shaped their languages then again, populations moved, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Nope. One of my majors in college was Anthropology, and once you see the ways in which different languages evolve from one another, it's pretty hard to imagine the Babel myth as being literally true. It is, however, a great myth. Some kind of cultural memory of Proto-Indo-European, maybe? Other cultures have myths very similar, even in places like South America, which makes it all the more fascinating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 No. To me it's a mythical explanation for why there are different languages and also a lesson on our relationship with God. My understanding of how different languages evolved is that they...evolved. Populations moved, a degree of isolation and different environments, shaped their languages then again, populations moved, etc. ^^ Yep. My degree is in linguistics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraciWA Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yep! God's word is inerrant and sufficient. I can trust it to be true. That is what we also teach our children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 No. To me it's a mythical explanation for why there are different languages and also a lesson on our relationship with God. My understanding of how different languages evolved is that they...evolved. Populations moved, a degree of isolation and different environments, shaped their languages then again, populations moved, etc. Nope. One of my majors in college was Anthropology, and once you see the ways in which different languages evolve from one another, it's pretty hard to imagine the Babel myth as being literally true. It is, however, a great myth. Some kind of cultural memory of Proto-Indo-European, maybe? Other cultures have myths very similar, even in places like South America, which makes it all the more fascinating. I agree with the posts like these. I wouldn't 100% preclude the possibility of it being true, but I don't really "believe" it's true. I believe it's a representational story. Which, to me, doesn't make The Bible false in any way. An allegory (or representational story) is "true" in a different sense than a literally true story. I'm a Christian and believe that The Bible is true in a larger sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I have taught my kids that it's literal. I have also taught that for all we know there was only a few different languages that sprang from that and languages continued to evolve and develop from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Yes, I believe that, and it's what I taught my children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I agree with the posts like these. I wouldn't 100% preclude the possibility of it being true, but I don't really "believe" it's true. I believe it's a representational story. Which, to me, doesn't make The Bible false in any way. An allegory (or representational story) is "true" in a different sense than a literally true story. I'm a Christian and believe that The Bible is true in a larger sense. Same here. For me, "true" is not synonymous with factual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I agree with the posts like these. I wouldn't 100% preclude the possibility of it being true, but I don't really "believe" it's true. I believe it's a representational story. Which, to me, doesn't make The Bible false in any way. An allegory (or representational story) is "true" in a different sense than a literally true story. I'm a Christian and believe that The Bible is true in a larger sense. Same here. For me, "true" is not synonymous with factual. This is true for me also. To help along the idea of differences possibly between OE and YE, I am Catholic and Old Earth. What I have been taught, what I believe, and what I teach my children is that the first part of Genesis (pre-Abraham) is all wisdom stories, not factual, historical, nor scientific. There is fantastic and necessary truth contained within those first 11 of so chapters, but not fact. And for me, at least, that only strengthens my faith rather than reducing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I agree with the posts like these. I wouldn't 100% preclude the possibility of it being true, but I don't really "believe" it's true. I believe it's a representational story. Which, to me, doesn't make The Bible false in any way. An allegory (or representational story) is "true" in a different sense than a literally true story. I'm a Christian and believe that The Bible is true in a larger sense. I very much agree with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 http://faculty.gordo...y_Babel_WTJ.pdf I finally "re-found" an article on this topic I had read when I was trying to make sense of what I was finding in study of this time period and my understanding of the bible. It's from Westminster Theological Seminary and is titled The Date of the Tower of Babel and Some Theological Implications. They are actually taking it from an actual event but written from the perspective of ancient people standpoint. It's an interesting read and a potential way to reconcile the literal reading with archaeological finds dating the tower late in human history. That said I didn't realize until I studied these things the views held by Christians that we have allegorical writings pre-Abram. I have been talking with seminary graduates and reading a lot and I see that things can be more beautiful and meaningful from that perspective. I just didn't know it existed a month or so ago! Because this is all so new to me, OP, I'm being cautious with what I teach my kids about these things now. I regret teaching them some of what I have in the past because I want them to know the bible is truth and not be led astray by my teaching it means something it doesn't. I think it's good to think about these things. I'm really glad you posted this question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 No. We treat it like any other myth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 No. Like other bible stories the Tower of Babel story seeks to provide a mythological explanation for the human condition, which in this case was to answer the obvious question of why people in different locals (or between one tribal group an another) speak different languages. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I am a Christian and no, I do not believe this story is literally true. :) It sounds so much like myths that you hear in other cultures, you know? Explanations for why something is the way it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonsmama Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Yes, Mormons believe it is true. There is a chapter in the Book of Mormon (Ether) that explains what happens to a group of people from this time period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 We do not have this story in the Qur'an; there are ayat (verses) that specifically state that the variety we see in languages is a sign of the wonder of nature/creation. One part of my oldest ds' literary analysis program that I have actually really appreciated is the section on Biblical allusions, because he had not heard of virtually any of them (this being one of them.. how would he know what a Babel fish is?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker25 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I totally accept this as truth and teach it to my children. I don't know that all languages came from this one experience, but I do believe the people were divided up and struck with different languages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 As a Christian, I believe it's true. I don't think it really matters whether you're a young earth creationist or old earth. (I haven't made up my mind about this issue yet. Lot's of research has shown me that both sides have very good, plausible arguments with scientific data to back up both.) However, I am constantly careful to try not to impress my dd with just my beliefs. I feel it's vitally important for the strength of her faith to come to conclusions on her own. For that very reason, I have taught her both Evolution and Creationism. We have discussed evidences for both a young earth and an old earth. And on we will go. By the way, a little off topic, but a really excellent video about the creation of our universe is "Journey Toward Creation" narrated by Dr. Hugh Ross, PhD. He is an old-earth creationist. This video taught me that scientists agree that there are 200 criteria which must be met in order for life to occur. The chances of those 200 criteria to occur by random chance is 10 to the 215th power -- that's 10 with 215 zeros behind it! In other words - virtually impossible! And yet, Evolution is still taught as fact in our public school systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 As a Christian, I believe it's true. I don't think it really matters whether you're a young earth creationist or old earth. (I haven't made up my mind about this issue yet. Lot's of research has shown me that both sides have very good, plausible arguments with scientific data to back up both.) However, I am constantly careful to try not to impress my dd with just my beliefs. I feel it's vitally important for the strength of her faith to come to conclusions on her own. For that very reason, I have taught her both Evolution and Creationism. We have discussed evidences for both a young earth and an old earth. And on we will go. By the way, a little off topic, but a really excellent video about the creation of our universe is "Journey Toward Creation" narrated by Dr. Hugh Ross, PhD. He is an old-earth creationist. This video taught me that scientists agree that there are 200 criteria which must be met in order for life to occur. The chances of those 200 criteria to occur by random chance is 10 to the 215th power -- that's 10 with 215 zeros behind it! In other words - virtually impossible! And yet, Evolution is still taught as fact in our public school systems. Old Earth Creationists mostly believe in evolution. Believing in evolution is not believing in abiogenesis. How that spark of life started is unknown and hotly debated, even among the religious. I think it would be wrong to teach the Christian version in schools, even if it is what I believe. Evolution is only a mechanism. The religious views are best left for parents and/or the church to guide-those are not scientifically testable, they vary enormously, do you really want your child taught *all* of the different views on creation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 By the way, a little off topic, but a really excellent video about the creation of our universe is "Journey Toward Creation" narrated by Dr. Hugh Ross, PhD. He is an old-earth creationist. This video taught me that scientists agree that there are 200 criteria which must be met in order for life to occur. The chances of those 200 criteria to occur by random chance is 10 to the 215th power -- that's 10 with 215 zeros behind it! In other words - virtually impossible! And yet, Evolution is still taught as fact in our public school systems. That's only if you go straight from nothing to something like complex mammals in one step. That's not the way it would have happened, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Yep! God's word is inerrant and sufficient. I can trust it to be true. That is what we also teach our children. This! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineinthesand9 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Yep! God's word is inerrant and sufficient. I can trust it to be true. That is what we also teach our children. Absolutely! And we are thankful that we love and serve Him who cannot be explained...or contained in the box(es) of human academia, science, reasoning, logic, etc. He could have--and did--confound the languages in any manner He so chose, regardless of whether we "mere-humans" can explain it or not. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniela_r Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Yes, I believe the story of the tower of Babel actually happened. And I remember how fascinated I was taking Intro to Linguistics at my (secular) state university and learning about language families and realizing that God created the different stem languages (like proto-Indo-European) and then they evolved from there. Some linguists actually think that language evolved separately in more than one place because some language families are so very different. Those of us who believe in creation aren't stuck with that highly unlikely theory:) It was also fascinating to learn that the grammar of languages tends to simplify with time; for example, Classical Greek had five cases, Koine Greek four cases and modern Greek three cases. Another example is the grammar of Latin as compared with French or Spanish - which is part of why so many classical educators want their kids studying the grammar of Latin. I loved that linguistics course enough to consider switching out of my science major! But, now I get the best of both worlds since, as an adult, I get the privilege of living overseas in a town where the two main languages spoken are from different families (one Altaic and one Indo-European) and it's amazing how different their grammar and syntax is! I've loved learning to speak both:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Nope, but I'm a Catholic like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I take it as literal truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I agree with the posts like these. I wouldn't 100% preclude the possibility of it being true, but I don't really "believe" it's true. I believe it's a representational story. Which, to me, doesn't make The Bible false in any way. An allegory (or representational story) is "true" in a different sense than a literally true story. I'm a Christian and believe that The Bible is true in a larger sense. This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Some linguists actually think that language evolved separately in more than one place because some language families are so very different. Those of us who believe in creation aren't stuck with that highly unlikely theory:) Just out of curiosity, why do you think this theory is highly unlikely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I belive that the wisdom literature of the Bible is just as true as the rest of the Bible. Narratives such as allegories and epic accounts are not 'untrue' though they may be not concretely factual. The tough parts of thinking that way is (a) trying to see which sections of the Bible might be wisdom literature, trying to find out what criteria we use to decide that, and (B) trying to set aside my westernized fact=truth mindset and be willing to at least try to grasp the truth that comes through the wisdom genre, even though it's genuinely a difficult thing for people of our culture to do. Honestly, it leads me to less certainty and more humility in the face of the Word of God... which actually might be appropreate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy M Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Yep! God's word is inerrant and sufficient. I can trust it to be true. That is what we also teach our children. Haven't read all of the posts yet, but I agree with this. If you take away the literal interpretation of Genesis 1-12, you mess with inerrancy of Scripture. I believe that the Tower of Babel explains the source of all the languages we have today, though I doubt that there were over 6,000 languages at first. I've heard the explanation that there were 75 at first, and the rest evolved from those "parent" languages over time and travel, etc. This is what I see here in Africa. Many of the "sub-Saharan" African languages are very similar in structure and totally different from Romantic languages. We began learning Venda, then switched to Tsonga; and Tsonga came so much faster with our base knowledge of Venda. It is quite possible that originally there was 1 or just a handful of African languages that all the rest came from it. In fact, we know that in "recent" history (the last couple hundred of years), Tsonga evolved somewhat from Zulu. Also, as English is the national language of South Africa and many other African countries, you see the national language's influence on those languages. The Tsonga people are losing their vocabulary every year; and much of their vocab for "modern" terms comes from Afrikaans--"fasitere" for window comes from the Afrikaans "faster." (not sure on the spelling there!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 No. We treat it like any other myth. No. Like other bible stories the Tower of Babel story seeks to provide a mythological explanation for the human condition, which in this case was to answer the obvious question of why people in different locals (or between one tribal group an another) speak different languages. Bill All of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Inerrancy does not mean one must take the Bible literally. There are many Christians who believe the Bible is inerrant but not that it's a completely factual account of history. While inerrancy has a long history in Christianity, literalism is relatively new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I believe it is literally true, and that is what I will teach my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.