Posted on 02/28/2005 5:27:26 PM PST by TheTruthess
It's not that hard.
Since you wrote it, I'm sure it's easy for you to understand...as for me, I do not know what you are trying to say. Are you saying that talking about God, is the same as talking about some physical thing that can be looked at, touched, shown to others, etc?
The alternative is what? That the laws of logic are suspended and we no longer need to be coherent as soon as the word "God" slips out?
But no, that's not what I'm saying, although I suppose what I said -- along with every other coherent discussion of God -- presupposes that some things about Him are effable.
I believe that the laws of logic are not only suspended, but are irrelevant when we speak of God....that is why no one has yet been able to do any more than theorize about Him....we are stuck with our little brains and our little logic, to comprehend the supreme being that created all....even the logic we use.
Do you really think that we can accuratedly express in words, such a being as God? How would you even know if you were correct or not?
Why then did you attempt to use logic (albeit faulty logic) to demonstrate such things as that there are no false gods and that God answers the sincere prayers of unbelievers? For that matter, you go on to give reasons why God cannot be understood with the laws of logic. Why? By your own account, it's a pointless thing to do.
we are stuck with our little brains and our little logic, to comprehend the supreme being that created all....even the logic we use.
Here we have trouble with that word "comprehend". Since you seem so eager to be overawed and cast off the use of your mind in discussions of the divine (even though you began by using your mind), I'll change the topic to someone of far less importance and dignity: myself. Do you comprehend me? Of course not. I don't suppose a human can comprehend even another human, let along God. But you do know things about me, like some of my religious views, because I told you. So we see even in mundane examples you can have accurate, but not comprehensive, knowledge of another based on self-disclosure. Do you suppose God can make self-disclosures? If not, then He must lack the power of speech, which would imply that we have somehow acquired powers God lacks.
On this general subject, it seem incongruous for you to be the one advising us to, like Job, admit our finitude and cover our mouths. And then just accept what you've claimed without subjecting it to any kind of analysis. But everything you've claimed to know is the product of your own excogitations. Even to say that God is unknowable implies that you know enough about Him to make that statement. I'm the one basing my thought on special revelation, namely the Bible.
Do you really think that we can accuratedly express in words, such a being as God?
God can express Himself accurately in words.
How would you even know if you were correct or not?
God is correct by definition. I need only study what He has said.
Of course it's pointless.
We cannot descibe God accurately in our logical terms,....but we must communicate amongst ourselves in a way that we all understand. There are many men that feel they must be correct, and to communicate that thought to all. This is one reason why man will always be having these types of discussions. We are limited by our humanness, to try to describe something that is not human.
I do not believe that God lacks anything, I just do not believe that He has spoken. Just as I believe that God can perform miracles like resurrection, virgin birth, elves, fairies, demons, magic, etc...I just do not believe that He has.
I ask no one to accept anything I say, that is why I always say that it is what I believe..and that I have no proof for anything, just faith.
I believe that God can express Himself in words, how do you know that He has? I believe it is your faith that makes you believe He has. You have your beliefs, and I have mine, and others have theirs...that's just the way it is.
Is there a difference between "belief" and "faith"?
Is the second statement an accurate description, or not?
Catholics and Christians, not the same Jesus. In a way many Christians's Jesus seems to be different.
To me, they are pretty much the same. I'm sure you will correct me if I am wrong, but, for clarity, that is the way I use them.
It is an accurate description of my unsubstantiated belief.
Ping!
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