>> No end to the dialogue, is there? (sigh) I just hope all this
>> cyberchatting strengthens our faith and makes us more godly
>> (ie, more willing to set aside "self" while continuing to develop
>> the gifts we were loaned of intellect, time, money, desire to study,
>> willingness to serve others, etc.)
>>
Juli,
For those of us who enjoy studying intellectual problems, we ARE using and
developing the gifts we were given when we discuss these issues. I agree
whole heartedly with George when he wrote:
> I think that frank discussions of the nature of biblical
>material can be of positive value for the faith of Christians. There
>may be some who are "offended" at having to consider the possibility
>that, e.g., the Book of Jonah is fiction, but there are many others who
>will be relieved to hear honest discussion of the matter. That assumes,
>of course, that the discussion is carried on in a respectful way and not
>in a spirit of sophomoric debunking.
While he and I may not agree with each other on lots of issues, we need to
push and prod the arguments and issues like we do. To do it in any other way
than to be very frank is to introduce a false equivocation. Both George and I
believe the positions we have argued for. We both can not be correct (at least
I don't think so :-). As such, honesty demands that we both explain our
positions and advance arguments against the other's postion. This in no way
means that George and I couldn't sit down, have a cup of coffee, enjoy each
other's company, and worship the Lord together.
Disagreement does not mean dislike. This is something that lots of people do
not fully understand. Yes disagreement can lead to dislike if one lets it but
neither of us did. And disagreement does not necessarily dishonor the Lord.
We are all finite humans trying to deal as best as we can with the tough
issues before us. We deal with them in different ways. But we need to deal
with those issues.
glenn
Foundation,Fall and Flood
http://members.gnn.com/GRMorton/dmd.htm