[pharmamom]

Of course. But one can also use a basic understanding of anthropology. It is only since the Englightenment that humans have concerned themselves so deeply with the workings of the physical world. We ask ourselves different kinds of questions now than we did 5000 years ago. The ancient Jews were above all interested in clarifying what kind of divinity would create this world and human beings, as well as what their special relationship to that divinity was. We call that concern metaphysics now, and it has become a second-class citizen in a world dominated by scientific inquiry into the material world. Nonetheless, we must not make the mistake of projecting our mindset onto the ancient Jews or early Christians. Or even Western humans pre-Enlightenment.

[D Edmund Joaquin]

Well since I read a lot of contempory Jewish literature, I don't think I am projecting my mindset onto their beliefs.

You sound like you have bought into Process Theology, but if not, my apologies.

The God of 5000 years ago is still the God of today. He hasn't changed.

[risk]

Has metaphysics really become a second-class citizen? It seems that the arguments about stem cell research, abortion, genetic engineering, in vitro, and artificial intelligence are more relevant every day.

More than ever, we are beset by the demands of modern technology to think these questions through.