[Semper]

I am not surprised that you see it as a “challenge”. I felt it was that way from the beginning—that it was presented more as a challenge than a discussion. If I’m wrong about that, you can correct me.

I see the discussion as a challenge. Any discussion of critically important issues is a challenge. No one has complete understanding of the truth in this life. I believe the Bible contains the truth and I believe we make the best progress toward understanding that truth by constantly and critically examining our own beliefs as well as those of others.

[Running On Empty]

I believe it is a matter of grace—this business of truth-seeking— and not just an intellectual exercise.

I believe it will profit me very little or nothing to depend on my own critical analysis of every proposed view.
Such a position tends to be Gnostic. (back to New Age philosphy).

The two faculties of the soul are the will and the intellect. They are intended to work together in unison. But it is the will that acts in response to the intellect and that is why St. John tells us in his Gospel that “if we DO the truth, we will come to the light”. In other words if we act in the Scriptural truths revealed to us by God, we will come to the light of understanding those truths.

Neither of us is going to change our position, so-—

I’m leaving.