Creating Evil

errancy@freethought.tamu.edu errancy@freethought.tamu.edu
Fri, 27 Oct 95 20:11 CDT (00814864260, 951027210846_56417979@mail02.mail.aol.com)


< I maintain that the explanations that I give are valid and that I am using legitimate methods to analyze the Scriptures. If those methods allow Till to do as he claims, it does not mean that those methods are wrong. A person can use proper methodolgy and still get the wrong result. However, Till needs to show that the analysis I conducted was wrong or else use a different methodology to show that I reached a wrong conclusion.>

Roger, the problem with your methodology is that (1) it begins with the assumption that no Bible writer ever said anything that is incorrect or contrary to what any other Bible writer said, and that (2) it follows an any-interpretation-will-do-approach in order to resolve contradiction or discrepancy. Number 1 is so unlikely that you need to prove it before you can expect me or anyone else to allow you to use it, and 2 completely disregards an established principle of hermeneutics that says words should be considered and interpreted in their literal senses unless there are compelling reasons to assign figurative meaning. Many of your "explanations" disregard the literal, face-value meaning of language solely for the purpose of resolving discrepancy, and that is not a compelling reason to look for figurative meaning.

You asked what was wrong with your methodology, so there it is in a nutshell.

In your "resolution" of the problem of creating evil, you are trying to contend that the context of Isaiah 45:7 was comparing "opposites," so please tell me what the opposite of peace is. Hint: you might consider the literary career of Tolstoy to find your answer. Also please answer the following questions:

1. Did your god create light?

2. Did your god create darkness?

3. Did your god create peace?

As for the rest of your "rebuttal," I will respond to it when you cite me an example of contradiction or inconsistency from any historical document of your choice. I think you conveniently don't know of any because you realize that I can make good my claim of using your methods to prove that the statement is not really contradictory.

F. Till