George wrote: There are two problems with this whole concordist approach.
First, it
assumes that texts can be true & authoritative only if they are accurate
historical &/or scientific accounts. Secondly, they start in the wrong
place -
the OT, & Genesis in particular, rather than the NT & Christ. The OT is
important - nay, indispensable. But it's to be read in the light of
the NT, not
vice versa. If you start either systematic theology or apologetics
with Genesis
then your theological framework has already been solidified before you get
to
any explicit mention of Christ.
I have said a great deal about all of this in the past & will
not rehash
it all now. But I wish that those who think that the crucial questions
about
_how_ to concordize would step back a bit and think about the possibility
that
one need not concordize in order to maintain the truth & authority of
scripture.
Don P: Your first point, perhaps. Your second point, what? Are you saying
that Jews are just not able to understand God's creation because they don't
believe in the NT? The only books necessary, not useful mind you, for
understanding Genesis is the first five. If we become so arrogant to think
that only the people since then have come up with ideas and views worthy of
truth, we're all doomed. Moses and his clan had no problems understanding.
In fact I'm quite sure they understood better than we do. Over time it was
lost, as many things are. We can try to find it but it will elude us. This
is the purpose of studying God's word. It is not the truth but the seeking
of truth. If one is involved in searching God then you have no time to find
sin. I hope we all learn this. Christ brings salvation, but God gives us the
salvation. Christ wasn't creating his own religion or calling himself God.
He was trying to point the way. The way is not Jesus, but the salvation and
redemption itself. God is forgiving is the point. Worshipping Jesus is no
different than worshipping any other God, before the one true God. So to
understand God, any idea or theory concerning God is essential to learn. But
to understand God's will, one must look at the first five books. Christ
showed us what we could be, not what he was, if we were worthy. Though we're
not. He was not arrogant, but humble. He wanted us to understand how
merciful God was and that man should be the same. Without redemption we are
all doomed. If I do not forgive you and punish and the same is done to me
and so on, then all will die and life would end. Love and forgive, this is
the NT. Creation and God's will is OT. If you decide to study love and
forgiveness check out the NT. IF you want to understand creation check out
the OT. It's not that hard.
Don P
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