Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on May 11, 2006 15:51:58 GMT -5
OK, because I think it's a topic genuinely worth discussing, and because it's been a good long breather since the last somewhat tense attempt, and finally because I've been thinking about this approach for a little while, let me attempt again a bit of biblical discussion
HOWEVER
The whole point of it is going to be that we're going to pick specific chunks in advance, give everybody who is interested a chance to read and ponder them, and then we're going to very specifically talk about the passages from two different viewpoints.
First we'll talk about what exactly it means or is saying when viewed as a christian absolute. That is to say, taking the assumption that every word in the bible is god's word inviolate what does this specific portion of it have to say.
After we've chewed on that for a while, we'll switch tacks and look at it with the opposite assumption, that is to say - taking the assumption that the bible is a work written by man and looking at what events were like at the time that would have influenced the writing of the work, then what does the selected portion have to say? Is it the same or is it different? and if it's different, how does it compare/contrast with the christian absolute viewpoint.
(NOTE: At no point will we be determining which view is 'right' I'm only suggesting that we all make the effort to look at things from both sides to see how they differ.)
Assuming anybody but me is remotely interested in this, I'd also suggest a couple of ground rules-
Should any of the discussion veer into the realm of personal criticism on one another I'm just going to shut the whole thing down because quite frankly it's not worth ending friendships over.
I'd really appreciate it if, in the course of discussing a certain passage, we could avoid making a lot of references to portions of the bible that we haven't discussed yet, as that puts the onus on everyone to read the entire bible before they might be comfortable joing the discussion of a particular passage.
I'd suggest a general guideline of a week for a specific passage discussion. Mon-wed we look at it from the 'God wrote it' perspective. Thurs.-Sat. we look at it from the 'Man wrote it' perspective. And then on Sunday we rest.
And finally, in the fullness of time I wouldn't mind moving on to a discussion of the Talmud, Koran, and/or book of Morman as well. (I'd be willing to bet that we're all less well read on those)
So... anybody interested? And if so, anybody want to through out the first chunk to discuss?
HOWEVER
The whole point of it is going to be that we're going to pick specific chunks in advance, give everybody who is interested a chance to read and ponder them, and then we're going to very specifically talk about the passages from two different viewpoints.
First we'll talk about what exactly it means or is saying when viewed as a christian absolute. That is to say, taking the assumption that every word in the bible is god's word inviolate what does this specific portion of it have to say.
After we've chewed on that for a while, we'll switch tacks and look at it with the opposite assumption, that is to say - taking the assumption that the bible is a work written by man and looking at what events were like at the time that would have influenced the writing of the work, then what does the selected portion have to say? Is it the same or is it different? and if it's different, how does it compare/contrast with the christian absolute viewpoint.
(NOTE: At no point will we be determining which view is 'right' I'm only suggesting that we all make the effort to look at things from both sides to see how they differ.)
Assuming anybody but me is remotely interested in this, I'd also suggest a couple of ground rules-
Should any of the discussion veer into the realm of personal criticism on one another I'm just going to shut the whole thing down because quite frankly it's not worth ending friendships over.
I'd really appreciate it if, in the course of discussing a certain passage, we could avoid making a lot of references to portions of the bible that we haven't discussed yet, as that puts the onus on everyone to read the entire bible before they might be comfortable joing the discussion of a particular passage.
I'd suggest a general guideline of a week for a specific passage discussion. Mon-wed we look at it from the 'God wrote it' perspective. Thurs.-Sat. we look at it from the 'Man wrote it' perspective. And then on Sunday we rest.
And finally, in the fullness of time I wouldn't mind moving on to a discussion of the Talmud, Koran, and/or book of Morman as well. (I'd be willing to bet that we're all less well read on those)
So... anybody interested? And if so, anybody want to through out the first chunk to discuss?