Changes

::::::Hmm.  Well, I could suggest that God's commandments should be given at least as much weight as claimed fact, but then you'd probably (and rightly) point out that that's placing works before faith--so I'll concede the point.

::::::Hmm.  Well, I could suggest that God's commandments should be given at least as much weight as claimed fact, but then you'd probably (and rightly) point out that that's placing works before faith--so I'll concede the point.

::::::The mistranslation issue you raise, it seems to me, perfectly illustrates the point of concern I originally voiced.  If one mistranslated word can lead the greatest religious thinkers of their time to a significantly incorrect conclusion about the nature of the universe, then doesn't that argue that issues of translation ''aren't'' trivial?  I'm willing to concede the point that modern translations reflect the best efforts of the best scholars available to return to the intended sense of the original texts, but let's bear in mind that "best efforts" doesn't necessarily equal "perfect efforts."  It's difficult to be certain that you've captured the sense of the autographic texts when, in many cases, the autographic texts simply aren't available.   

::::::The mistranslation issue you raise, it seems to me, perfectly illustrates the point of concern I originally voiced.  If one mistranslated word can lead the greatest religious thinkers of their time to a significantly incorrect conclusion about the nature of the universe, then doesn't that argue that issues of translation ''aren't'' trivial?  I'm willing to concede the point that modern translations reflect the best efforts of the best scholars available to return to the intended sense of the original texts, but let's bear in mind that "best efforts" doesn't necessarily equal "perfect efforts."  It's difficult to be certain that you've captured the sense of the autographic texts when, in many cases, the autographic texts simply aren't available.   

::::::Ultimately, there's my sticking point.  I'm just not convinced that post-Textus criticism has resulted in an edition totally free of potential "firmament/expanse" issues.  Consequently, I cannot claim with confidence that I know which portions of the Bible reflect literal truth and which reflect allegorical truth.  Nor, ultimately, am I certain that I need to.  The Bible makes it clear that no man can know the mind of the Almighty; faith, at its heart, is not about knowledge and proof, but about trust.   

::::::Ultimately, there's my sticking point.  I'm just not convinced that post-Textus eclecticism has resulted in an edition totally free of potential "firmament/expanse" issues.  Consequently, I cannot claim with confidence that I know which portions of the Bible reflect literal truth and which reflect allegorical truth.  Nor, ultimately, am I certain that I need to.  The Bible makes it clear that no man can know the mind of the Almighty; faith, at its heart, is not about knowledge and proof, but about trust.   

::::::Thank you for the link to the article; it's fascinating reading.  One interesting point of note is the assertion that the Ten Commandments are no longer in force--and yet the Ten Commandments continue to hold a central position in many churches (and in many of the debates on religion currently being fought in this country.)  I'd be curious to know your opinion on the issue.

::::::Thank you for the link to the article; it's fascinating reading.  One interesting point of note is the assertion that the Ten Commandments are no longer in force--and yet the Ten Commandments continue to hold a central position in many churches (and in many of the debates on religion currently being fought in this country.)  I'd be curious to know your opinion on the issue.

::::::[[User:BenP|BenP]] 17:21, 1 May 2008 (EDT)

::::::[[User:BenP|BenP]] 17:21, 1 May 2008 (EDT)