<<In the past you have stated
that observational data has nothing to do with theology, you are obviously
against evolution and have chided me for my VCR style of view. I really
can't see how on the issue of historicity I have mischaracterized your
position but if I have, I apologize. >>
You're gracious man, Glenn. Thanks. I will once more try to clarify, very
siimply.
First of all, observational data DOESN'T have anything to do with theology (we
were talking about physical world data--fossils, rocks etc.). I thought we had
settled that (remember my little challenge, something like "how does the
earth's crust tell us what hermeneutical rules to use?") We're talking about
two separate disciplines.
<<Like it or not, the questions modern people are asking about the Bible are
not what categories should we place various pieces of literature into, but
"What is the evidence that the universe was created by the God of the Bible?"
And "Is the Bible true or not.">>
But truth is not a matter of answering the wrong questions. Or misguided ones.
That's why you have teachers. That's why you have professionals who do the
hard work.
What if a modern person came up to you and said, "Hey, the Grand Canyon is
6,000 years old because of the way the layers are, from a recent flood. We can
see it." Would you chuck geology? Would you say because this guy doesn't care
about geological science, because he doesn't ask those kinds of questions,
that the science is irrelevant?
Or would you sit down and explain a few things to this gentleman?
I rest my case.
<<I agree that poetic does not mean non-historic. And I agree that Paul Revere
lived. I made that point very clearly last June but you chose to ignore my
two wonderful poems.>>
I didn't ignore them, Glenn. I made an informed, literary decision. ;-) [Gad,
I couldn't resist! Thanks for the straight line]
<<So nothing is preventing you from drawing your own diagram or placing
yourself within mine. It certainly could not hurt and actually might make
your position more accessible to the masses.>>
Poetic AND true. History AND meta-history. Author intent: God created the
Heavens and the earth (actually! At a point in time!), and all of life
(actually! He actually did it, in history, mind you!), miraculously,
powerfully, awe of awes.
How did he do it? Not with a VCR! If he had, he would have sent a video tape
instead of Genesis. Since he did not send a tape, we have to deal with what he
did send.
Jim