From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Thu Dec 19 2002 - 07:47:19 EST
In a message dated 12/19/02 1:49:14 AM Eastern Standard Time,
michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk writes:
> Also one cannot expect biblical writers to write in a compatible way with
> modern science - there aim was to expalin the ways of God to the common man.
>
> Regards
>
> Michael
>
You say one cannot expect biblical writers to write in a compatible way with
modern science - but science never changes - what was scientific law then is
scientific law now. it is only our perception that changes. I pointed out
something that is patently obvious, the fact that the biblical shepherds
directed selection when they bred their sheep. They didn't understand the
underlying genetic processes (not til mendel did anybody understand them) but
they practiced eugenics in genesis. Nobody blinked but one to refute the
suggestion but its there in genesis 25-29.
You say their aim was to explain the ways of god to the common man. I say
that was only part of their aim. Jewish scholars themselves repreatedly point
to the allegorical mysteries hidden in the Bible and the reaction of some
learned men upon understanding those mysteries. "4 persons entered the garden
of eden. Ben Azai looked around and died."
"In the Mishna (haggiga sec.2) "The story of genesis is not to be explained
to two men. The story of the merkaba (heavenly chariot) not even to one,
unless he be wise and can deduce wisom of his own accord."
both references from Adolph Franck's The Kabbalah.
It appears to me that the Pentateuch is deliberately written on at least two
levels. One for the learned and one for the common man. That is what Jews say
about their own books and from the examples I've offered, I would think it
appears entirely plausible. In otherwords, the aim of the people who wrote
the Bible was to explain it to the common man while preserving the ancient
science for themselves.
rich
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