Some people would certainly say it does feel like it occasionally.
All the in depth analysis of Genesis certainly gets a lot of press, and gets into such ridiculous detail sometimes I find myself thinking: "This isn't what we're meant to be doing".
a) It's limiting for people without education in the subject
b) It makes people think Christians can't even agree with each other
c) It makes for resentment and anger amongst members of a forum who should be uniting and talking to others about Christ.
So. What do you all think?
My present position is:
God's got enough nouse to do what's right for us. He's more than capable of writing a book which everyone can use to follow him. He also created the universe and as such his word will not contradict it.
So, I do not think an analysis of Genesis is needed for true belief. I also do not think much of the fundamentalist "take it as read in my own language 2000 yrs later" approach. God's given us enough intelligence to realise what's important. If you want to think of Genesis as allegorical, go for it. I don't think you have to hold your hand up at the pearly gates and declare wholeheartedly that Noah took pterodactyls on the ark to get in.
What about:
God meant Genesis to be taken as allegory in the main, but was also cunning enough to make it stand up to any rigorous analysis at the same time. GO GOD! He's a dude!
Cue long wandering debate.............
Nick