The concept of faith

We don't need reports from 40 AD. The fact that the ones we have agree with each other is evidence enough that there were not all these wild legends in circulation up to that point that you are imagining --- or at least if there was some of that, clearer minds prevailed when it came to establishing the authenticity of the reports.This message has been edited by Faith, 05-12-2006 06:59 PM

That makes two of us.

I suppose you mean the King James in particular. I wonder if you feel that way about some of the other translations. When some of them are read in church they nearly make me cry because of the awkwardness of their language.Not that I should think of the music of the language as so important, I'm sure. But then the meanings of the words are also sometimes shades different.This message has been edited by Faith, 05-13-2006 02:02 AM

Is faith or belief a moral matter or not. Well, in a sense it may not be moral at all, despite what you say about how you'll go to hell if you don't have it. It's a matter of shrewd self-preservation rather than morality. People are sent to hell for their violations of the moral law, there is no doubt about that, but salvation from hell needn't be thought of in moral terms, simply in practical terms.Except there is that problem that treating God as a liar by disbelieving his word is certainly a moral matter . . .

I agree that the language is beautiful.
What part does the meaning of those passages play in your appreciation?

The almond tree is a symbol of God's judgment -- {abe: its flowering is a symbol of the imminence of judgment. Edited by Faith, : shown in text

Deduce it from what? Do you consider it deducing it to believe what somebody tells you? Deducing its truth from their testimony perhaps?

Yes, the reason Percy started this site was to defeat the political moves of the creationists to have a say in the schools. The science stuff is just a pretense since that is their real aim. They aren't interested in truth, just in winning the war. Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

Well then, as Iano says, it isn't deduceable to the normal fallen mind so I guess we won't see you in heaven. Too bad.

I didn't say it was dishonorable, merely reminding you that politics was the reason for this site. And that being the case it carries certain attitudes along with it, which I'm saying interfere with a pure desire to get at truth.

I did say the science was a pretense, but I didn't mean that anybody is consciously pretending, just that that's how things go when a political goal is the agenda.

Oh well, allrighty then.

I know what you're trying to say here, but it's kind of an unfortunate way of putting it, as if anything in us could prevent God from acting. He can change our beliefs and attitudes in a flash. Doesn't require anything from us. One day you just start considering it might be true. Where did THAT come from?