GodsChild a Few Quick Questions?

[popeyespappy]

I find it humorous that Catfish keeps putting down the literal interpretation of the Bible in a thread started as a question to a Christian that interprets the Bible literally.

Well then, let's be literal...
What does the Greek word "aeonian" mean? (please don't use the Bible as an example)

According to Merriam-Webster it means lasting for an immeasurably or indefinitely long period of time. We can discuss immeasurable and indefinite right after we get through talking about the use of the Hebrew word olam in their texts if you'd like.

The word "eternal" is of very varying import, both in the Scriptures and out of them.

1. `Olam:

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word `olam is used for "eternity," sometimes in the sense of unlimited duration, sometimes in the sense of a cycle or an age, and sometimes, in later Hebrew, in the signification of world. The Hebrew `olam has, for its proper New Testament equivalent, aion, as signifying either time of particular duration, or the unending duration of time in general. Only, the Hebrew term primarily signified unlimited time, and only in a secondary sense represented a definite or specific period. Both the Hebrew and the Greek terms signify the world itself, as it moves in time.

2. Aion, Aionios:

In the New Testament, aion and aionios are often used with the meaning "eternal," in the predominant sense of futurity. The word aion primarily signifies time, in the sense of age or generation; it also comes to denote all that exists under time- conditions; and, finally, superimposed upon the temporal is an ethical use, relative to the world's course. Thus aion may be said to mean the subtle informing spirit of the world or cosmos--the totality of things. By Plato, in his Timaeus, aion was used of the eternal Being, whose counterpart, in the sense-world, is Time. To Aristotle, in speaking of the world, aion is the ultimate principle which, in itself, sums up all existence.. In the New Testament, aion is found combined with prepositions in nearly three score and ten instances, where the idea of unlimited duration appears to be meant. This is the usual method of expressing eternity in the Septuagint also. The aionios of 2 Corinthians 4:18 must be eternal, in a temporal use or reference, else the antithesis would be gone.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclope...ernal.html

Please include in your next reply a reason why I should accept an interpretation that differs from that of Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ETERNAL'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915. who wrote the passage quoted above.