(July 12, 2015 at 1:54 pm)Randy Carson Wrote:(July 12, 2015 at 1:41 pm)Redbeard The Pink Wrote: If we're just ignoring what the text says and extrapolating hidden meanings from it, then it's no different from other literature and should be held in no higher regard.[/color]
We're not ignoring what the text says, we're considering what the author intended to convey.
If I say, "It is raining cats and dogs.", what am I trying to convey? That there are a lot of dead animals out on the lawn or that it is raining heavily?
And if the scriptures are inspired by God, then it IS different from other literature and held in higher regard even if the literary forms used to convey God's message is indistinguishable from other literary works.
Authorship matters.
^Yes!!
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
