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'''Divine accommodation''' is the doctrine that God accommodates himself to human capacity so that we may better comprehend his message. He does not reveal his “naked essence,"<ref>John Calvin’s phrase</ref> but rather adopts the assumptions of his audience even when these are mistaken so to facilitate communication.<ref>Sparks, Kenton, ''God’s Word in Human Words'', 230–31. “Accommodation is God’s adoption in inscripturation of the human audience’s finite and fallen perspective. Its underlying conceptual assumption is that in many cases God does not correct our mistaken human viewpoints but merely assumes them in order to communicate with us."</ref> It follows from this that scripture may be reinterpreted as our knowledge of the natural world improves.<ref>Hommel, Robert, ''[http://www.truthaboutsundayworship.com/thescriptures.htm Interpretation of Scripture]''. “The Bible is to be interpreted in view of the fact that it is an accommodation of Divine truths to human minds...We must be careful, then, not to push accommodating language about God and His nature to literal extremes."</ref> The doctrine is most closely with associated John Calvin (1509-1564), although it can also be found in the writing of earlier churchmen. The widespread acceptance of Calvin’s views by Protestants allowed them to assimilate the scientific revolution of the 15th century more readily than did Catholics.

'''Divine accommodation''' is the doctrine that God accommodates himself to human capacity so that we may better comprehend his message. He does not reveal his “naked essence,"<ref>John Calvin’s phrase</ref> but rather adopts the assumptions of his audience even when these are mistaken so to facilitate communication.<ref>Sparks, Kenton, ''God’s Word in Human Words'', 230–31. “Accommodation is God’s adoption in inscripturation of the human audience’s finite and fallen perspective. Its underlying conceptual assumption is that in many cases God does not correct our mistaken human viewpoints but merely assumes them in order to communicate with us."</ref> It follows from this that scripture may be reinterpreted as our knowledge of the natural world improves.<ref>Hommel, Robert, ''[http://www.truthaboutsundayworship.com/thescriptures.htm Interpretation of Scripture]''. “The Bible is to be interpreted in view of the fact that it is an accommodation of Divine truths to human minds...We must be careful, then, not to push accommodating language about God and His nature to literal extremes."</ref> The doctrine is most closely with associated [[John Calvin]] (1509-1564), although it can also be found in the writing of earlier churchmen. The widespread acceptance of Calvin’s views by Protestants allowed them to assimilate the scientific revolution of the 16th century more readily than did Catholics.

In a commentary on Genesis, Augustine (354-430) advised Christians not to look to Scripture for answers to scientific questions:  

In a commentary on Genesis,[[Augustine]] (354-430) advised Christians not to look to Scripture for answers to scientific questions:  

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In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines our position, we too fall with it.<ref>McGrath, Alister, ''[http://books.google.com.vn/books?id=ZyLhKnPWOjEC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq= Scientific Theology: Nature]'', p. 61.</ref>

In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines our position, we too fall with it.<ref>McGrath, Alister, ''[http://books.google.com.vn/books?id=ZyLhKnPWOjEC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq= Scientific Theology: Nature]'', p. 61.</ref>