Would you care to discuss the Bible, starting from Genesis with me. I am a Biblical literalist. Perhaps we both could learn from each other.
As I read Scripture I find it compelling. The Bible is coherent, comprehensive & complete enough. It deals with all the major questions of life - beginning with a literal six days of creation. All it asserts is truth. Whatever or wherever you would see fit to consider or go - this would be fine with me.
If this works for you it would be good to have just a few ground-rules.
1) You can use any & all sources you deem proper. I shall do the same.
2) I will only respond to your posts so as to keep it focused. (Anybody else would be welcome to post their thoughts but I will not answer them. If you want an answer to what somebody else asked or made a point about - just put it in your post.)
3) It would be easier if questions on different topics are handled in separate posts. But, if there are multiple questions on any separate issue, these multiple questions can be incorporated in a post.
4) I ask your indulgence in letting such a conversation take time. We both have other responsibilities, so an answer might take some time. But, if you agree, I would be diligent to hold up my part of the conversation as time & circumstances allow.
As for me, I am 70, having been a Christian for many years. I am reasonably well read, do my best to think logically, & try to write cogently. Age does not equate to either ignorance or wisdom.
As for accreditation - I am simply a high-school graduate, having been suspended from college (1966) in my first semester. The dean of students told me that I was being suspended instead of being expelled because she hoped for me to get drafted, sent to Vietnam, & to be killed there. Her hopes were based on - if you are suspended from a college no other accredited college is supposed to accept you, while if you are expelled from a college, then any other college can then accept you. It seems like her only acceptable outcome (since she chose not to personally kill me) would be for me to die in Vietnam. I am not sorry to have disappointed her.
Why would I engage with you. I found your comment about the Bible being “still beautiful and interesting, providing us with a window into the scientifically naive but creative thoughts of the ancient.” a statement showing you to be reasonable.
My purpose is not to convert you as only God can do that. All I can try to do & be is found in 1 Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
So, if you would care to, Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,...”
Donald
As I read Scripture I find it compelling. The Bible is coherent, comprehensive & complete enough. It deals with all the major questions of life - beginning with a literal six days of creation. All it asserts is truth. Whatever or wherever you would see fit to consider or go - this would be fine with me.
If this works for you it would be good to have just a few ground-rules.
1) You can use any & all sources you deem proper. I shall do the same.
2) I will only respond to your posts so as to keep it focused. (Anybody else would be welcome to post their thoughts but I will not answer them. If you want an answer to what somebody else asked or made a point about - just put it in your post.)
3) It would be easier if questions on different topics are handled in separate posts. But, if there are multiple questions on any separate issue, these multiple questions can be incorporated in a post.
4) I ask your indulgence in letting such a conversation take time. We both have other responsibilities, so an answer might take some time. But, if you agree, I would be diligent to hold up my part of the conversation as time & circumstances allow.
As for me, I am 70, having been a Christian for many years. I am reasonably well read, do my best to think logically, & try to write cogently. Age does not equate to either ignorance or wisdom.
As for accreditation - I am simply a high-school graduate, having been suspended from college (1966) in my first semester. The dean of students told me that I was being suspended instead of being expelled because she hoped for me to get drafted, sent to Vietnam, & to be killed there. Her hopes were based on - if you are suspended from a college no other accredited college is supposed to accept you, while if you are expelled from a college, then any other college can then accept you. It seems like her only acceptable outcome (since she chose not to personally kill me) would be for me to die in Vietnam. I am not sorry to have disappointed her.
Why would I engage with you. I found your comment about the Bible being “still beautiful and interesting, providing us with a window into the scientifically naive but creative thoughts of the ancient.” a statement showing you to be reasonable.
My purpose is not to convert you as only God can do that. All I can try to do & be is found in 1 Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
So, if you would care to, Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,...”
Donald
