From: adams@spss.com (Steve Adams)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: Get a life
Date: 28 Jul 92 15:05:12 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: SPSS Inc.

grossg@patriot.rtp.dg.com (Gross) writes:

>In article <adams.711829078@spssig> adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
>>Steve.Gross@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Steve Gross) writes:
>>
>>>As for the others who disagreed with my opinion, thank you for an
>>>alternate view.  I am indeed a sinner, as are all others.  I just happen
>>>to think that if God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit collaborated on a book
>>>that is the authoritative word of God, and that book says that
>>>homosexuality is UNNATURAL, that it is unnatural.
>>
>>Please tell me exactly where it says that God wrote the Bible.

>All scripture is inspired (God-breathed) of God.... 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Hmm...you realize of course that the reference to 'Scripture' here is to
the Old Testament only?  Some of the books of the NT hadn't even been
written at this time!

All that God-breathed need imply is that God had some influence in the
writing of Scripture.  Most likely, Scripture is a response to revelation.
God reveals Himself and the writers/editors have reduced their responses to
writing.

>>Explain for example, why we see in the prologue of the Gospel of Luke, 
>>that he investigated the events and interviewed people, and consulted other 
>>sources.  Why would he need to do this if God were dictating the book?

>God selects and uses the man -- He even causes Him to investigate
>events and interview people.  Seems we humans have a failing -- we
>won't take God's word for anything. ;-)  Independent sources saying
>the same thing happened provides us evidence.  And even withg that
>people don't believe.

Hmm...so then Luke isn't 'God-breathed'?  In fact the above comments show
this to be the case...remember, only the OT was 'Scripture' at the time of
writing, and even then the canon wasn't set until 100AD in Jamnia.

>You can either chose to beleive God or your own view of right and
>wrong.  To say that something is a sin based on what God calls wrong
>or sin is not making a judgement -- it is merely passing along a
>divine judgement of God's.  The Prophets of old did it, Jesus and the
>Apostles did it -- all of them were scorned and derided.  We know that
>the same thing will happen today when we side with what is written
>versus "liberal interpretations."
Ah...what is written vs. 'liberal' interpretation.  Please.  You are 2000
years removed from the writers of the LAST books, and 4000 years removed
from the writers of the first books, and even further removed from the oral
tradition that started the whole thing.  Without knowing immense amounts
about the culture, tradition, etc. of the people, we can know very little
about 'what is written.'

>Being a conservative evangelical means accepting the Bible as the
>final Word of God to us until Christ comes again in power and glory.
But, which interpretation?  There are many....that's why there are so many
denominations....

>Jesus died for those who believe not for every human.  
What?  This is way off base.  He died for ALL, so that sins might be
forgiven.  Whether or not we chose to believe is the issue.  All people can
access the salvation presented by Jesus!

>>You sound far too much like the Pharisees that Jesus condemned...

>And you sounbd like one who knows "right from wrong" as did Adam and
>Eve after eating the forbidden fruit.

I know right from wrong, but the point is that exegesis is a complex task,
and no single person can claim to know the exact meaning of any of the
text....there are massive differences in understanding!  Who appointed you
as the official produceer of exegesis?

 -Steve
--
 The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not SPSS, Inc.
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     adams@spss.com                           Phone: (312) 329-3522
     Steve Adams                              Fax:   (312) 329-3558