-----Original Message-----
From: David Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, 26 May 2005 08:39:55 -0400
Subject: Re: [Bulk] Re: [Bulk] Re: [TruthTalk] mormon angels. was: Dave uses Socratic Method of Teaching LDS doctrine on TT
John wrote: > Have you ever changed your mind in regards to the > meaning of a particular passage? Of course you have. > How do you know, then, that what you now accept > is not due for change sometime in the future? > Answer: you don't. This is exactly why Paul > wrote I Cor 8:1-3. This is an excellent passage in regards to the subject you are addressing, but I hope you do not interpret this passage to be saying that we cannot be certain about the truthfulness of any knowledge that we now have. Faith is being certain about some knowledge for which we have no empirical proof (Heb. 11:1), so to surmise that all knowledge we have is subject to being discarded is to make the virtue of faith something that is unobtainable. Let's look at the passage you reference.
I took the liberty of highlighting a sentence in the above - it is at the heart of what you
are saying in this post and is an extremely important issue. And you make an excellent point.
What I take from the above is this: certainty can be of a mathematical quality or it can be of a passionate assurance. Faith (passionate assurance or conviction as I see it) is both our
evidence and our assurance. Amen to your observation, here. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (1) Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (2) And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (3) But if any man love God, the same is known of him. This passage tempers us in regards to being puffed up with knowledge, and I think this is your primary point (which is a very good and important point!). It explicitly states that if any man thinks he knows something, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. It then expresses greater importance on being known of God, which happens if we love God. Amen again. I do not see "changing our mind about the meaning of a passage" as being EXACTLY why Paul wrote this. Rather, he is showing how our knowledge is continually growing. For example, I believe Jesus is the Christ. Will I ever find that I need to change my mind about this? No. But... my knowledge of Christ will increase and my understanding of what it means to believe upon Christ will increase.
Here, I disagree. Paul IMO is contrasting an empirical knowing with the passion that opens the
door to a relationship with God. I think you are saying that Paul, here, is presenting an
evolving knowing -- going from the empirical to the passion of love (and faith.) Not entirely off base, I might add -- I just think he speaks of contrast rather than development. The thrust of what Paul is saying here is that we ought not be puffed up about what knowledge we have, because, as all older men and women have experienced, our comprehension of what we think we know will grow.
Yes - but this growth is manifested in the "change of mind" that I spoke of, is it not.
Whether you or not, my view on Gal 3:26-27 has "evolved." I no longer believe that the primary issue
in that passage is water baptism but an immersion into Christ, Himself. That evolution is the
result of growth, no doubt - but it (this growth) is manifested in my change of mind about this passage.
In later years, perhaps, I will come back to water baptism in this passage. Who knows. In a way,
we are talking about the same thing ????????
He is
working from that Platonic concept of absolutes versus the Aristolean
concept of change, and pointing to being known of God as the absolute aspect
which does not change. Therefore, the implication to his Greek audience
appreciative of the Platonic philosophy is that loving God and being known
of God is greater than anything we think we know.In simpler terms, he is contrasting head knowledge with heart knowledge ..... agreed? I hope you don't take my comments as refuting what you have said. I am simply trying to refine how you have articulated it. The focus should be on growth in knowledge not on the idea that everyone will someday discard the knowledge he now has as erroneous. I would never say it this way. I believe that Paul is saying
the focus should be on love and the ensuing relationship - not on head knowledge. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
