Science today
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John Carson wrote:
So an apparent logical inconsistency in the Biblical account means that the Bible doesn't imply that the world is 6,000 years old??!! That is strange reasoning indeed.
Actually, there's a lot more. For starters, Gen 1 repors God creating men and women. Gen 2 says he formed one man and one woman after that.
John Carson wrote:
As for Cain "finding" his wife, he didn't go out to find a wife, he was expelled for killing his brother.
*grin* I hope you realise that I knew that. But, he was expelled, and in his expelled state, he found a wife.
John Carson wrote:
The usual interpretation from the Biblical literalists is that Cain married an unnamed sister (or a niece --- but some son of Adam and Eve would have had to marry their sister).
And this is significantly more far fetched than assuming that there were other men and women on the earth, especially given that it's clear from the fossil record that this was the case.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
Christian Graus wrote:
And this is significantly more far fetched than assuming that there were other men and women on the earth, especially given that it's clear from the fossil record that this was the case.
I find this hybrid of the Bible and science very unsatisfactory intellectually. The problem is that, as far as I am aware, noone can say in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value and what parts shouldn't. Instead, literalist interpretations of selected passages are abandoned ex post as and when scientific evidence dictates. But why then believe any of it, since much that was once believed has subsequently proved unreliable?
John Carson
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Oakman wrote:
Make up your mind. You are now criticising the bible because there are people who are overly passionate about it, not because it contains some internal inconsistencies?
I'm criticising it because it demands that people be overly passionate about it.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I'm criticising it because it demands that people be overly passionate about it.
No, it doesn't. High priests may, but that's just job security. The strongest passion in the Old Testament is the Song of Soloman. The New Testament appears to think quite highly of the meek, the humble, and the peace-makers. Reading between the lines, one might also get the impression that Jesus wasn't too thrilled the Rome or their Jewish satraps, but it's muted enough that it would be hard to call it a passionate appeal for rebellion. There is the bit where Jesus says that one should give one's wealth to the poor if one wishes to follow in his path, but I haven't noticed too many people getting passionate over that course of action, or even taking him seriously.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
But it could've been, at least in part, had the authors really been communicating with God.
I see, now you are criticising the bible for what it isn't.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
there would be no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion.
There is no doubt. Many people are sure it is, many are sure it isn't. No doubt at all.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
if someone took every moral lesson from the Bible and fashioned a new book in which God and the supernatural make no appearance, would it be as good a book
Do you actually think that question was worth asking? Will the answer change your mind about anything?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
Oakman wrote:
I see, now you are criticising the bible for what it isn't.
I don't think that there's a difference.
Oakman wrote:
There is no doubt. Many people are sure it is, many are sure it isn't. No doubt at all.
You mean there isn't a single person in the world who's lost someone despite fervent prayer and is now questioning whether God simply refused to help this person, or was unable to?
Oakman wrote:
Do you actually think that question was worth asking? Will the answer change your mind about anything?
It might. Should all inquiry cease at the merest possibility of the answer not swaying me?
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I'm criticising it because it demands that people be overly passionate about it.
No, it doesn't. High priests may, but that's just job security. The strongest passion in the Old Testament is the Song of Soloman. The New Testament appears to think quite highly of the meek, the humble, and the peace-makers. Reading between the lines, one might also get the impression that Jesus wasn't too thrilled the Rome or their Jewish satraps, but it's muted enough that it would be hard to call it a passionate appeal for rebellion. There is the bit where Jesus says that one should give one's wealth to the poor if one wishes to follow in his path, but I haven't noticed too many people getting passionate over that course of action, or even taking him seriously.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
Oakman wrote:
There is the bit where Jesus says that one should give one's wealth to the poor if one wishes to follow in his path
Is that before or after he instructs his followers to sell their clothing to buy swords?
Oakman wrote:
No, it doesn't.
Ah, haha, I'm pretty sure it does.
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
If, for example, it had mentioned unambiguously that oxygen is paramagnetic, or had a proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, or had a diagram of haemoglobin somewhere in there, there would be no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion.
Well, sure. The basic issue here is that just because you think you can say 'if there is a God, He should have done this', doesn't mean there isn't a God who disagrees with you.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
OK, if someone took every moral lesson from the Bible and fashioned a new book in which God and the supernatural make no appearance, would it be as good a book?
Without the supernatural aspect, specifically, without God being able to change people to enable them to live up to the moral instructions of the Bible, it would be less effective. That's kind of the whole point of the old testament. And, obviously, Christianity promises life forever, not just how to live life here. But, the 'how to live life here' aspects, would be just as true if taken in isolation. In fact, that's what plenty of churches seem to do nowadays.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
Christian Graus wrote:
Well, sure. The basic issue here is that just because you think you can say 'if there is a God, He should have done this', doesn't mean there isn't a God who disagrees with you.
No, but 1. Anyone who makes a claim and says "I could give you proof but I choose not to" invites scepticism regarding the truth of the claim. 2. Anyone who claims to have the key to everlasting happiness but isn't willing to even provide potential recruits with clear evidence of his existence (belief in which is part of the aforementioned key) has a hard time credibly claiming to be a god of love.
John Carson
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Christian Graus wrote:
Well, sure. The basic issue here is that just because you think you can say 'if there is a God, He should have done this', doesn't mean there isn't a God who disagrees with you.
I just think that there's a simpler explanation than 'there is a God who co-authored a book that's only vaguely trustworthy and who makes every effort to avoid being believable'.
Christian Graus wrote:
Without the supernatural aspect, specifically, without God being able to change people to enable them to live up to the moral instructions of the Bible, it would be less effective. That's kind of the whole point of the old testament.
The question is, why would he need to change people? Why would he change people? If Heaven is the reward for being faithful even given the free-will to not do so, would someone he made faithful be rewarded? Furthermore, do you believe in free will? If God can see into the future, then that means that the future is already determined, which means that we don't have the freedom to save ourselves from eternal damnation.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
'there is a God who co-authored a book that's only vaguely trustworthy and who makes every effort to avoid being believable'.
Well, I agree. I don't think anyone is putting that theory forward except belligerent athiests who don't take the time to understand what they are attacking. Present company excepted, of course. :rose:
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
The question is, why would he need to change people?
Because we need it ?
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Why would he change people?
Because we asked for it, and because we need it ?
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
If Heaven is the reward for being faithful even given the free-will to not do so, would someone he made faithful be rewarded?
I love atheistic word games. They are fun. Being changed by God means being empowered to live a good life. It doesn't mean not having a choice in the matter anymore. For example, I tried to quit drinking before I became a Christian. 20 years ago, when I became a Christian, I stopped wanting to drink. Drinking was a destructive force in my life, one I could not control on my own. I could still choose to drink if I wanted to.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Furthermore, do you believe in free will?
Yes. um... no. um.... Of course I do.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
If God can see into the future, then that means that the future is already determined, which means that we don't have the freedom to save ourselves from eternal damnation.
Given that our brains are basically a chemical stew, and that even the most random decision we make, is probably only random because we can't see the state of our brain influencing the decision, I tend to think that He knows what will happen, at least in part, because, while we appear to have free will, it's also true that our every action is a product of our brain chemistry. But, of course, the point is moot, and meaningless, it's just a word game that atheists love to play. It means pretty much nothing.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have
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Christian Graus wrote:
And this is significantly more far fetched than assuming that there were other men and women on the earth, especially given that it's clear from the fossil record that this was the case.
I find this hybrid of the Bible and science very unsatisfactory intellectually. The problem is that, as far as I am aware, noone can say in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value and what parts shouldn't. Instead, literalist interpretations of selected passages are abandoned ex post as and when scientific evidence dictates. But why then believe any of it, since much that was once believed has subsequently proved unreliable?
John Carson
John Carson wrote:
The problem is that, as far as I am aware, noone can say in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value and what parts shouldn't.
I can. If a passage is telling you about the nature of God, or what God would like you to do, then that's the core message.
John Carson wrote:
But why then believe any of it, since much that was once believed has subsequently proved unreliable?
The Bible was written by people of the day. It is filtered through their understanding, when it comes to natural things. I am not saying it's not inspired by God, I am saying that if God told someone to write down the sort of science you're asking for, they would not have understood it, and others would have seen no value in keeping it around.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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Christian Graus wrote:
Well, sure. The basic issue here is that just because you think you can say 'if there is a God, He should have done this', doesn't mean there isn't a God who disagrees with you.
No, but 1. Anyone who makes a claim and says "I could give you proof but I choose not to" invites scepticism regarding the truth of the claim. 2. Anyone who claims to have the key to everlasting happiness but isn't willing to even provide potential recruits with clear evidence of his existence (belief in which is part of the aforementioned key) has a hard time credibly claiming to be a god of love.
John Carson
John Carson wrote:
Anyone who makes a claim and says "I could give you proof but I choose not to" invites scepticism regarding the truth of the claim.
Absolutely. And God is in the business of giving proof to the individual, but not the collective. Why ? That's His business, really.
John Carson wrote:
Anyone who claims to have the key to everlasting happiness but isn't willing to even provide potential recruits with clear evidence of his existence (belief in which is part of the aforementioned key) has a hard time credibly claiming to be a god of love.
As I said, proof is there, on an individual level. Not on the 'let's make a TV documentary level'.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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Oakman wrote:
I see, now you are criticising the bible for what it isn't.
I don't think that there's a difference.
Oakman wrote:
There is no doubt. Many people are sure it is, many are sure it isn't. No doubt at all.
You mean there isn't a single person in the world who's lost someone despite fervent prayer and is now questioning whether God simply refused to help this person, or was unable to?
Oakman wrote:
Do you actually think that question was worth asking? Will the answer change your mind about anything?
It might. Should all inquiry cease at the merest possibility of the answer not swaying me?
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I don't think that there's a difference
Really? What are they teaching over there in OZ? Obviously not formal logic.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
You mean there isn't a single person in the world who's lost someone despite fervent prayer and is now questioning whether God simply refused to help this person, or was unable to?
Nope, I mean that there's no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion. The person you describe is questioning their faith in God, not their espousal of a particular religion. Now you may not know enough about religion, or faith, to understand the difference, but rather than just telling me again that you think there's no difference - go do some studying.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I don't think that there's a difference
Really? What are they teaching over there in OZ? Obviously not formal logic.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
You mean there isn't a single person in the world who's lost someone despite fervent prayer and is now questioning whether God simply refused to help this person, or was unable to?
Nope, I mean that there's no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion. The person you describe is questioning their faith in God, not their espousal of a particular religion. Now you may not know enough about religion, or faith, to understand the difference, but rather than just telling me again that you think there's no difference - go do some studying.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
Oakman wrote:
Really? What are they teaching over there in OZ? Obviously not formal logic.
Au contraire. Well, OK, they don't teach formal logic in high school, at least not the one I go to. But I still maintain that criticising something for what it is and for what it isn't is the same thing. What it is, is that it is not something else. Criticising it for being what it is, is equivalent to criticising it for not being something else, and vice versa. Simple. ;P
Oakman wrote:
Nope, I mean that there's no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion. The person you describe is questioning their faith in God, not their espousal of a particular religion. Now you may not know enough about religion, or faith, to understand the difference, but rather than just telling me again that you think there's no difference - go do some studying.
He could be questioning, you don't know that. You're splitting hairs, and I don't know why.
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John Carson wrote:
Anyone who makes a claim and says "I could give you proof but I choose not to" invites scepticism regarding the truth of the claim.
Absolutely. And God is in the business of giving proof to the individual, but not the collective. Why ? That's His business, really.
John Carson wrote:
Anyone who claims to have the key to everlasting happiness but isn't willing to even provide potential recruits with clear evidence of his existence (belief in which is part of the aforementioned key) has a hard time credibly claiming to be a god of love.
As I said, proof is there, on an individual level. Not on the 'let's make a TV documentary level'.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
Christian Graus wrote:
Absolutely. And God is in the business of giving proof to the individual, but not the collective. Why ? That's His business, really.
Well, that version invites scepticism no less than the earlier one. Why should I believe that these private proofs have been provided or are indeed proofs at all? His business or not, scepticism is justified.
Christian Graus wrote:
As I said, proof is there, on an individual level. Not on the 'let's make a TV documentary level'.
So does everyone receive these proofs? If your answer is no, the inconsistency with love remains. If your answer is yes, then you are wrong. I, for one, have never received proof. Millions will testify that they haven't either.
John Carson
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Christian Graus wrote:
Absolutely. And God is in the business of giving proof to the individual, but not the collective. Why ? That's His business, really.
Well, that version invites scepticism no less than the earlier one. Why should I believe that these private proofs have been provided or are indeed proofs at all? His business or not, scepticism is justified.
Christian Graus wrote:
As I said, proof is there, on an individual level. Not on the 'let's make a TV documentary level'.
So does everyone receive these proofs? If your answer is no, the inconsistency with love remains. If your answer is yes, then you are wrong. I, for one, have never received proof. Millions will testify that they haven't either.
John Carson
John Carson wrote:
Why should I believe that these private proofs have been provided or are indeed proofs at all? His business or not, scepticism is justified.
Well, of course. I said as much, I did not criticise you for your point of view.
John Carson wrote:
So does everyone receive these proofs?
Do you mean every human, or every human that asks for them ?
John Carson wrote:
. If your answer is yes, then you are wrong. I, for one, have never received proof.
OK, then the answer is no. And, you're free to define love any way you like. But, the fundamental is free will. Everyone who asks, receives.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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Oakman wrote:
There is the bit where Jesus says that one should give one's wealth to the poor if one wishes to follow in his path
Is that before or after he instructs his followers to sell their clothing to buy swords?
Oakman wrote:
No, it doesn't.
Ah, haha, I'm pretty sure it does.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Is that before or after he instructs his followers to sell their clothing to buy swords?
I hope you weren't "fairly sure" of the accuracy of your attribution. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household." Pretty hard to make that into an exhortation to go buy weapons, let alone strip naked. Unless you are as nutty as Ilion
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Ah, haha, I'm pretty sure it does.
As sure as you were above?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
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Oakman wrote:
Really? What are they teaching over there in OZ? Obviously not formal logic.
Au contraire. Well, OK, they don't teach formal logic in high school, at least not the one I go to. But I still maintain that criticising something for what it is and for what it isn't is the same thing. What it is, is that it is not something else. Criticising it for being what it is, is equivalent to criticising it for not being something else, and vice versa. Simple. ;P
Oakman wrote:
Nope, I mean that there's no doubt about whether Christianity is the one true religion. The person you describe is questioning their faith in God, not their espousal of a particular religion. Now you may not know enough about religion, or faith, to understand the difference, but rather than just telling me again that you think there's no difference - go do some studying.
He could be questioning, you don't know that. You're splitting hairs, and I don't know why.
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I don't know why
I told you you probably would not understand and suggested what you needed to do to correct your lack of knowledge.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Is that before or after he instructs his followers to sell their clothing to buy swords?
I hope you weren't "fairly sure" of the accuracy of your attribution. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household." Pretty hard to make that into an exhortation to go buy weapons, let alone strip naked. Unless you are as nutty as Ilion
Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
Ah, haha, I'm pretty sure it does.
As sure as you were above?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
Oakman wrote:
I hope you weren't "fairly sure" of the accuracy of your attribution.
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Oakman wrote:
As sure as you were above?
Yep.
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Ravel H. Joyce wrote:
I don't know why
I told you you probably would not understand and suggested what you needed to do to correct your lack of knowledge.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
I'm sick of it.
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John Carson wrote:
Why should I believe that these private proofs have been provided or are indeed proofs at all? His business or not, scepticism is justified.
Well, of course. I said as much, I did not criticise you for your point of view.
John Carson wrote:
So does everyone receive these proofs?
Do you mean every human, or every human that asks for them ?
John Carson wrote:
. If your answer is yes, then you are wrong. I, for one, have never received proof.
OK, then the answer is no. And, you're free to define love any way you like. But, the fundamental is free will. Everyone who asks, receives.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
Christian Graus wrote:
OK, then the answer is no. And, you're free to define love any way you like. But, the fundamental is free will. Everyone who asks, receives.
Asks for what? To know the truth? Not everyone who seeks the truth receives proof of God's existence. Does everyone who is determined to believe in God manage to do so? Possibly. Likewise everyone who is determined to believe in Hindu gods --- or almost anything else --- may succeed. This is not evidence of a benevolent God.
John Carson
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John Carson wrote:
The problem is that, as far as I am aware, noone can say in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value and what parts shouldn't.
I can. If a passage is telling you about the nature of God, or what God would like you to do, then that's the core message.
John Carson wrote:
But why then believe any of it, since much that was once believed has subsequently proved unreliable?
The Bible was written by people of the day. It is filtered through their understanding, when it comes to natural things. I am not saying it's not inspired by God, I am saying that if God told someone to write down the sort of science you're asking for, they would not have understood it, and others would have seen no value in keeping it around.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
Christian Graus wrote:
I can. If a passage is telling you about the nature of God, or what God would like you to do, then that's the core message.
So the passage banning the eating of shellfish is part of the core message? Or is the core message only to be found in the New Testament? That includes all the rules telling women what to do (cover their heads, keep silent in church, obey their husbands...)? The parts telling slave owners what to do? What about the passages in the Old Testament where God orders the slaughter of whole tribes of men, women and children. Do they count as passages about "the nature of God". Do we take all the instructions on "what to do" in the Sermon on the Mount literally? I don't accept that your boast is true. I don't think you can offer any coherent criteria specifying in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value. It is interesting that you seem unwilling to commit to a belief in the accuracy of anything historical in the Bible --- unless perhaps it gets in under cover of revealing the nature of God. Again, I wonder why, in such a case, you think the Bible reliable on anything.
Christian Graus wrote:
The Bible was written by people of the day. It is filtered through their understanding, when it comes to natural things. I am not saying it's not inspired by God, I am saying that if God told someone to write down the sort of science you're asking for, they would not have understood it, and others would have seen no value in keeping it around.
1. You haven't answered my question: why believe any of it? 2. So what if they would not have understood it and others would have seen no value in keeping it around. This is God we are talking about. Are you saying it is beyond the power of God to have ensured the preservation of his word on any subject that he chose?
John Carson
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Christian Graus wrote:
OK, then the answer is no. And, you're free to define love any way you like. But, the fundamental is free will. Everyone who asks, receives.
Asks for what? To know the truth? Not everyone who seeks the truth receives proof of God's existence. Does everyone who is determined to believe in God manage to do so? Possibly. Likewise everyone who is determined to believe in Hindu gods --- or almost anything else --- may succeed. This is not evidence of a benevolent God.
John Carson
John Carson wrote:
Asks for what?
The Holy Spirit, who is given with evidence to the individual.
John Carson wrote:
Does everyone who is determined to believe in God manage to do so?
I don't think so, actually.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "I am new to programming world. I have been learning c# for about past four weeks. I am quite acquainted with the fundamentals of c#. Now I have to work on a project which converts given flat files to XML using the XML serialization method" - SK64 ( but the forums have stuff like this posted every day )
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Christian Graus wrote:
I can. If a passage is telling you about the nature of God, or what God would like you to do, then that's the core message.
So the passage banning the eating of shellfish is part of the core message? Or is the core message only to be found in the New Testament? That includes all the rules telling women what to do (cover their heads, keep silent in church, obey their husbands...)? The parts telling slave owners what to do? What about the passages in the Old Testament where God orders the slaughter of whole tribes of men, women and children. Do they count as passages about "the nature of God". Do we take all the instructions on "what to do" in the Sermon on the Mount literally? I don't accept that your boast is true. I don't think you can offer any coherent criteria specifying in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value. It is interesting that you seem unwilling to commit to a belief in the accuracy of anything historical in the Bible --- unless perhaps it gets in under cover of revealing the nature of God. Again, I wonder why, in such a case, you think the Bible reliable on anything.
Christian Graus wrote:
The Bible was written by people of the day. It is filtered through their understanding, when it comes to natural things. I am not saying it's not inspired by God, I am saying that if God told someone to write down the sort of science you're asking for, they would not have understood it, and others would have seen no value in keeping it around.
1. You haven't answered my question: why believe any of it? 2. So what if they would not have understood it and others would have seen no value in keeping it around. This is God we are talking about. Are you saying it is beyond the power of God to have ensured the preservation of his word on any subject that he chose?
John Carson
John Carson wrote:
So the passage banning the eating of shellfish is part of the core message?
It's not bad advice, in the context of the times. And, the food laws are explicitly voided in the NT.
John Carson wrote:
Or is the core message only to be found in the New Testament?
It's mostly in the NT, yes.
John Carson wrote:
That includes all the rules telling women what to do (cover their heads, keep silent in church, obey their husbands...)?
Some of the rules given, are given in the context of the times, and come down to a fundamental that persists - do your best not to offend other people. And yes, wives should obey their husbands, so long as the husband also cherishes the wife and would die for her. Too many bible belt wife beaters forget that bit.
John Carson wrote:
The parts telling slave owners what to do?
In the context of a slave owning society, I would totally defend the bible's advice to be a fair master, yes.
John Carson wrote:
Do they count as passages about "the nature of God".
Yes, in that they talk about God's desire to seperate His people.
John Carson wrote:
Do we take all the instructions on "what to do" in the Sermon on the Mount literally?
Which parts are you thinking of ? The sermon on the mount was, strictly speaking, part of the OT, but I can't think off hand of any bad advice in there.
John Carson wrote:
I don't think you can offer any coherent criteria specifying in advance what parts of the Bible should be taken at face value.
OK, well, I did, so, I guess we'll have to disagree on that one.
John Carson wrote:
It is interesting that you seem unwilling to commit to a belief in the accuracy of anything historical in the Bible --- unless perhaps it gets in under cover of revealing the nature of God. Again, I wonder why, in such a case, you think the Bible reliable on anything.
I didn't say that, either. Not at all. I said that things like Gen 1-2 are not designed to be total scientific truth, and that a science journal is not what the Bible is about. (rest not answered for time, I