smith_c@ncsatl.uucp (Spawn of a Jewish Carpenter) (10/30/89)
Regarding the discussion on translation of Scripture and how it's often difficult to call something the Word of God that simply doesn't translate well if at all, I have some questions. In terms of interpretation, first of all, there are different kinds of Scriptural meanings: Literal (the meaning of the human author), deeper meanings intended by God but clearly not intended by the human author, and deeper meanings that some "things" possess (like persons, places, objects, events) that God intended to foreshadow certain things (like manna in the desert foreshadowing the Eucharist). I'm just curious if future "revelations" on the intrinsic meaning of certain passages (which currently elude us) will be prophetic in nature in some profound way. *sigh* Perhaps I'm being overly mystical here. It just doesn't make sense to me that God would want certain passages of the Word of God to be completely unintelligible. Does there have to be a reason for everything? Perhaps its very unintelligibleness is a "typical sense" problem foreshadowing or echoing or mirror-reflecting the mystery of God. What do you think? -- gatech!ncsatl!smith_c GO AGAINST THE FLOW!
barry1@ihlpa.att.com (Barry O Olson) (11/10/89)
In article <Oct.29.22.56.20.1989.3940@athos.rutgers.edu>, smith_c@ncsatl.uucp (Spawn of a Jewish Carpenter) writes: > Does there have to be a reason for everything? Perhaps its very > unintelligibleness is a "typical sense" problem foreshadowing or echoing or > mirror-reflecting the mystery of God. What do you think? > -- Take into account the fundamental need for "man" to be in control of his world. We need to understand. When we understand we tend to pigeon hole that understanding, then move on to other things. This is ok and easy on the simpler things in life. The problem comes in when we run into heavier things, e.g., universe, loss of a loved one, etc. These things we cannot control or pigeon hole. This is very frustrating for man, that there are some things that are beyond our ability to comprehend, understand, or pigeon hole, so we as believers would default to "it's a mystery of God". To someone who doesn't believe in a God, this explanation is a copout at best, but most assuredly is labeled "simplistic", yet that one who doesn't believe in a God cannot answer or understand either. That person will come up with some long winded theories that appeal to his sense of control, but in reality does nothing. Could it be that God in His wisdom made a wall, gulf, that cannot be understood or pigeon holed by finite man. This would be frustrating to the mind of someone who rejects the concept of God. Anyway, if we could fathom all of God's (speaking as a believer) mysteries, we would, or could nullify God in our minds. Sure science explained everyhing, therefore science is greater because it has revealed the secrets, where faith alone could not, e.g, we have conquered God. I believe that God holds a little something for Himself away from man's understanding, and will continue to so science/knowledge will s a God that we cannot hope to fathom in our flesh. Some odd speculations. barry olson