bb:
We humans cannot even begin to fathom the Mind that made all things to be what they are. Yet we're happy to quibble with one another about the best way to understand God, Who is absolutely irreducible to human logic and experience in the first place.... Seems a little silly to me. A-G: It seems silly to me, too!
When you really think about the problem, it seems to boil down to this: God's revelation through Holy Scripture, a creature of His unfathomable Mind, cannot be authenticated on the basis of human reason, logic, and experience. It can only be authenticated through and by the Holy Spirit, Who is God. Which is why I think the best way to read the Holy Scriptures is simply to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The criterion, then, is not human reason, logic, and experience -- much too small a "template" to compass God's Eternal Logos -- but the Light of God's Spirit moving us.
I know you read the Scriptures that way, my dearest sister in Christ, as I do....
On another note, re: our "previous non-believing correspondents [who] now congregate on another forum in cyberspace and have made a sport of throwing pejoratives at us over there." That's been a lot of fun! Among other things, we've been accused of doing exorcisms, and having "magic tea" parties.... And the biggest canard of all: that we are "anti-science." LOL! Still, we did get a book review out of it: LOLOL! :^)
Peace be unto that rowdy crew!
Thank you so much for your excellent essay/post, dearest A-G! (Must get back to work now....)
Among other things, we've been accused of doing exorcisms, and having "magic tea" parties.... And the biggest canard of all: that we are "anti-science." Not sure about the exorcisms, but I can picture the magic tea party:
And I am sorry to have to tell you, but accepting divine revelation as the highest form of knowledge is absolutely anti-science.
Science relies on data, and hypotheses or theories, to try to explain that data.
When you start with an absolute pre-ordained belief, which nothing can alter, you cannot do science in spite of your protestations -- as science relies on the scientific method, while acceptance of beliefs without any supporting data -- and in spite of immense amounts of contrary date -- is the exact opposite of science.
ps. The little bear is cute!