Reflectorites:
I here offer some responses to adverse comments re my claim that from
the numerics underlying the Bible's opening words, we may infer a
supernatural origin - and much more beside!
Chris Cogan > "It won't work because the method itself actually
discriminates between two classes of propositions (more than two,
actually). Jenkins' method does not consistently or meaningfully
distinguish between truth and falsehood, since it may be used to
pseudo-prove both sides of a contradiction."
VJ > This is a form of rhetoric I am unable to understand! Presumably,
you are unhappy that my arguments are largely based upon 'coincidence' -
'numerical coincidence', in particular. Now I would agree that while
numbers can represent an exceedingly 'soft' medium for the more
imaginative among us, they are more famously associated with precision,
and with 'getting to the truth of things'. Thus, the SETI project
operates on the understanding that an alien intelligence (if such
exists) might wish to announce its galactic presence by transmitting a
recurrent stream, or packet, of numerical 'goodies' which, because of
their specially chosen characteristics, could not be fairly attributed
to chance. Reasonable assumptions about 'what kinds of signals are we
to look for' would typically include: a long ordered sequence of primes,
perfect numbers or cubes, or packets of numbers that possess unique
properties and/or are related in some way - by their compatible
geometries, for example. Clearly, to correctly guess what our
hypothetical extraterrestial chooses to transmit requires the
construction of a very wide net!
My research techniques - applied to the Hebrew text of the Old Testament
and the Greek text of the New - have followed an identical path;
clearly, they have the same validty as those of SETI, wouldn't you
agree? In actual fact, of course, mine have access to further
possibilities that are unavailable to SETI, viz context and symbolism.
On the matter of 'coincidence', the methods of forensic medicine are
used to determine matters of life and death in many situations where the
only evidence available is circumstantial. Am I wrong in applying these
methods in my own investigations?
FMAJ > "I'd suggest that you show us that the numerical geometries and
symbolisms are indeed not a common place. As the Bible Code for instance
has shown, it is quite easy to find 'hidden messages' in texts, messages
that are nothing more than a figment of our imaginative mind. Are these
structures indeed more than just a coincidence? Have you such research
to show this?
Until shown otherwise, it would be foolish to consider these
'coincidences' more than just chance."
VJ > May I suggest you look at 'The Creation Geometries' on my first
website. Clearly, to demonstrate that such structures do not exist in
the first sentence of other major writings would be the work of a
lifetime - and more! In my view, it is sufficient that they are found
to occur in the opening words of Bible - and in circumstances that
demand a supernatural explanation.
FMAJ > "The Bible does not need numerology for its message."
VJ > How can you be so sure? My understanding is that God's ways are
past finding out!
billwald > "Let's say your analysis is correct. What do we do with it?
Predict winning numbers for the lottery?"
VJ > No. We would surely be wiser to examine the miracle most carefully
and , thereafter, apply some reason to our further thoughts and actions.
billwald > "There are several hundred Christian denominations already
believing that the Christian Bible is true and they can't agree to its
meaning."
VJ > Most have failed to understand the character of God; in
particular, His sovereignty; they therefore feel they can pick and
choose what to believe, and what to reject.
billwald > "Does your theory have predictive value that can be tested?"
VJ > Not in the generally accepted sense.
billwald > "Maybe it is a form of mind control produced by space
aliens. It could be useful to the space aliens to have humans united
under the Christian religion."
VJ > Personally, I find it easier to believe the Bible to be God's word
to man: created in His image, and the pinnacle of His creation!
Regards,
Vernon
Vernon Jenkins MSc
[musician, mining engineer, and formerly Senior Lecturer in Maths and
Computing, the Polytechnic of Wales (now the University of Glamorgan)]
http://homepage.virgin.net/vernon.jenkins/index.htm
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~indexer/miracla1.htm
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