Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sven · 02-24-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

So a letter written by Paul is the be-all-end-all of Christianity?
[...]
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc?

Right. That's how many Christians interpret it. I hope you realize that I'm not one of them.

Edited to add: Great post, Pervy! :thumbs:

BSM · 02-24-2005, 04:34 AM

Pervy:

:notworthy

~BSM

Plognark · 02-24-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSM

Pervy:

:notworthy

~BSM

Yeah, that's one hell of a post :thumbs:

THX1138 · 02-24-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seebs

Well, strictly speaking, the Bible isn't "the Word". It might be the word, in the sense that any inspired text is "the word of God". But it's not "the Word", because that's a theological term of art referring to the Logos, part of the Holy Trinity, also sometimes called Jesus.

In short, calling the Bible "God's Holy Word" is a big red flag of dangerously bad theology.

I have a friend (now a retired Greek Orthodox priest) who once said something to that effect, which took me by surprise: the "word" is not the Bible (BTW, excellent post Pervy) but is "Christ"-- it's a sort of quasi-mystical existential "experiencing of Christ" as a living presence. Now what exactly that might mean is another matter altogether. After he mentioned that, I did a little homework & found out that, historically speaking, this was in fact the case: "Christ" was understod as "the Word of God," not the Bible.

I'm not certain how many Christians TODAY really understand the "Word" in that sense however.

I do know that Quakers were very insistent that the Bible was not the "Word of God" but that Christ was the word (citing of course, John 1:1, as well as passages in Revelation that point to Christ as being the Word). Isaac Pennington, a Quaker theologian has written a good deal on this subject -- sorry I don't have time to provide links, but Pennington's essays on this subject are available on the internet if anyone is curious.

My $0.02

J

show_no_mercy · 02-24-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven

I hope you realize that I'm not one of them.

Oh no, I'd never insult you like that

BSM · 02-24-2005, 11:41 AM

Pervy writes:

Quote:

Yet another sad example of people simply believing whatever their pastor tells them rather than actually examining the texts for themselves and doing their own research.

So I wonder what excuse the pastors, priests, and theologians have?

~BSM

Plognark · 02-24-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSM

Pervy writes:

So I wonder what excuse the pastors, priests, and theologians have?

~BSM

Well, keep in mind, most of them were once instructed by pastors, priests, and theologians once too.

Memetic complexes are fascinating, aren't they?

Chris Weimer · 02-24-2005, 01:05 PM

further evidence for a Lukan-Pastoral connection
Similarities of themes not found in the other books of the canon:

All writings (the English word for scriptures) are godbreathed. Now, it doesn't say the Law, nor does it say what type of writings, thus we are to assume that he means all writings, as though there is some trace of god in everything written, a very similar parallel to Acts 17:23.

It is a weak parallel and should be considered primary evidence, though.

Cynthia of Syracuse · 02-24-2005, 02:21 PM

As the topic of this thread seems more suited to BC&H, off it goes.

tezz · 02-24-2005, 02:49 PM

Thanks for a great post Pervy. Luv your work!
:notworthy

02-24-2005, 02:21 PM	#29
Cynthia of Syracuse Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 2,821	Mod note As the topic of this thread seems more suited to BC&H, off it goes.

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02-24-2005, 04:34 AM	#22
BSM Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a house Posts: 171	Pervy: :notworthy ~BSM

02-24-2005, 01:05 PM	#28
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	further evidence for a Lukan-Pastoral connection Similarities of themes not found in the other books of the canon: All writings (the English word for scriptures) are godbreathed. Now, it doesn't say the Law, nor does it say what type of writings, thus we are to assume that he means all writings, as though there is some trace of god in everything written, a very similar parallel to Acts 17:23. It is a weak parallel and should be considered primary evidence, though.

02-24-2005, 02:49 PM	#30
tezz Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FNQ, Australia Posts: 381	Thanks for a great post Pervy. Luv your work! :notworthy

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