davide (03/10/83)
I have been seeing the accusation that apparent Biblical contradictions
are circumvented by retranslating the original text to say what the
interpreters want it to say. I think an analogy with scientific method
is reasonable (Oh boy... Here he goes... How can you compare ANYTHING
related to religion with ANYTHING related to science???)
If I take some data that seems inconsistent, that doesn't mean that I
quit work, give up engineering, and take up basket weaving (although it
sometimes seems attractive). I look at the context in which the data
was taken. Many times, things don't mean what I initially think that
they mean. If I look at the entire context of the measurement, I can
often find the source of the apparent discrepancy.
Of course, Biblical interpreters are not allowed to do this. At least,
I get the impression that applying any kind of analytical approach to
the Bible is forbidden. Why? Is it because those of you who don't
want to allow it WANT to find these contradictions? You want to
discredit the Bible so that it has no relevance to YOU? I get the
impression that you are doing just what you accuse Christians of doing:
making up your mind, then looking for supporting data.
Just like when I am collecting data on a circuit and have reason to
trust my test equipment, I have seen an overwhelming quantity of data
that makes me trust the Bible. I think that going to the culture and
original languages of the Bible to see what it REALLY says when
apparent contradictions appear is not only reasonable, but necessary.
David Eby
Tektronix, Instruments Division
{decvax,ucbvax}!tektroni!tekid!davide