From: John Burgeson (burgythree@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Apr 26 2003 - 13:38:24 EDT
Jason wrote, in part:
"Theology is a human construct ... but that does not negate the veracity of
it. Theology is about authentic exegesis of the divinely inspired and
inerranct word of God."
That seems to be a very limited fundamentalist definition of theology. By
that definition, Bultmann and Tillich and Barth (to name three) were not
doing theology in their working careers.
" The cannon of scripture is the foundation, not personal experience. If
theology were derived only from personal experience, then true theology for
me would be different from true theology for you, as you and I have had
different experiences. "
I agree that scripture is a primary (THE primary) base, even though I also
observe that the inerrancy of the Bible doctrine is one which makes no sense
to me at all. But what can be the meaning of "true theology" but something
that none of us has a feather's chance of ever attaining -- at least in this
lifetime?
" Obviously, the truth of who God is and how He relates to and saves
us is absolutely true, apart from either of our opinions. "
Of coures, but it does not follow that anyone will ever attain to it.
"The only foundation for a common, shared theology is scripture. Not
personal experience."
Experiences (stories) are what we share with each other. I tell my story to
tell you about the light I have seen. If I insist that light must be YOUR
light, I err seriously.
"You and I are free to differ on our interpretation of scripture; this
discussion is justifiably academic and authentic, but we must agree that the
discussion of such matters is based on interpretation of scripture, not
experience."
Do you mean to deny that a person's experience can ever play a part in his
understanding of scripture? If so, we must disagree.
" We must also agree that there is an absolutely true answer to such
questions."
I can agree with that, but observe that absolute truth is something beyond
us, and so the statement has little meaning.
"God is absolute, and His truths are likewise. We must struggle to discover
them, not fabricate our own."
Best wishes in your struggles. Sometime, read THE MYTH OF CERTAINTY by
Taylor.
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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