From: Jim Armstrong (jarmstro@qwest.net)
Date: Mon Nov 03 2003 - 00:35:01 EST
Perhaps "toy" is not quite the right word. We humans seem to have been
given an appreciation of structure and beauty and other aesthetic forms.
Might it then make sense that there could be special instances of
aesthetic content in the form of embellishments or decorations that
would be satisfying and faith confirming for those who seek and discover
them? They would not have to have some profound meaning wherein we are
destitute if we don't discover or appreciate it. I don't know that
amethyst geodes have any special meaning, yet some of them are
beautiful. Perhaps a better parallel is an Easter egg embedded in
software. It may by simply amusing for someone like me if I stumble
across. But some of those Easter eggs are really hard to find and the
search is engaging for some folks who feel immense satisfaction if their
systematic search is rewarded by discovery. Still other folks would be
quite ho-hum about the whole thing, particularly about their importance.
Just a thought. - JimA.
Walter Hicks wrote:
>
>
> richard@biblewheel.com wrote:
>
>> One reason people reject the study of the alphanumeric structure of
>> Scripture is because of a perceived arbitrariness in methodology and
>> interpretation. Some people seem to think it verges on the occult,
>> and take
>> it as the polar opposite to the cherished scientific method.
>
> I think, Richard, that you miss the reason why many people like me are
> not interested. Let me state it and see if you can tell me why I am
> wrong.
>
> Lets us say that everything that you and Vernon see is really there. I
> think that it is great that you have discovered it. Now what?
>
> I, and others, already accept the scriptures as inspired writings.
> Having imbedded numerical codes adds nothing to it for me. I'm sure
> that certain people who have a deep interest in mathematical
> structures would get greatly excited about it . However, it adds
> nothing to Christianity. It is a toy for those who are so inclined.
>
> At the other extreme, nonbelievers are likely to think that this is
> more Kooky Christian stuff. People are always managing to find
> patterns in the midst of chaos. A skeptical mind will not even want to
> look. I don't want to spend the time and nonbelievers certainly will
> not. So what then is the point?
>
> Conclusion: You and vernon want everybody to look and see this
> wonderful discovery. However, there only so many hours in a day and it
> seems like a waste of time to me.
>
> I really do not want to belittle those ideas, but what am I failing to
> see about the notion? I mean the basic notion of finding mathematical
> codes, not your specific results..
>
> Walt
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> ===================================
> Walt Hicks <wallyshoes@mindspring.com>
>
> In any consistent theory, there must
> exist true but not provable statements.
> (Godel's Theorem)
>
> You can only find the truth with logic
> If you have already found the truth
> without it. (G.K. Chesterton)
> ===================================
>
>
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