Don,
I will reply to both of your messages in this one. I have two points to
make. First, there is the question, "What does Deut. 22:9 mean?" I don't
read Hebrew, but the translations I have consulted, instead of reading
"defiled" read "forfeit" (NRSV, REB) and "may not be used" (JPSV). Here is
a good example of the issue of interpretation. I am puzzlied by what the
context for this rule is. I certainly do not interprete this passage to mean
that creating hybrid crops is prohibited by the law of Moses. And planting
different crops in the same plot, as native Americans have shown, can
enhance the soil, which I see as a good. But the law has to do with
vineyards, and perhaps someone who is a vintner can speak better to this
regulation.
My second point is that I consider the Deuteronomic regulations to be
applied to the ancient Hebrews of their covenant community and not to every
subsequent community of the faithful. I'm not certain why the law
prohibited the wearing of garments made of linen and wool (same verse), but
it must have had something to do with some element of Hebrew life. I do not
think that a wife who lies about her virginity should be stoned or that the
punishment for adultery should be death (22:21-22), and I would not consider
myself or any other Christian bound by that provision, because of the rule
of love I referred to in an earlier note (Augustine, Paul, and Jesus). The
family structure and relations of an ancient Hebrew family are not ours.
I don't think that as Christians we should take the position that every
prescription of the law of Moses should apply in some fashion to our
covenant community. I follow Paul (the apostle) on this one.
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Perrett" <don.perrett@verizon.net>
To: "Robert Schneider" <rjschn39@bellsouth.net>
Cc: "Asa@Calvin. Edu" <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 11:24 PM
Subject: RE: cosmology & polygamy
> While I claim no divine understanding or interpretation, the passage in
> question is Deuteronomy 22:9 "Do not plant two kinds of seed in your
> vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of
the
> vineyard will be defiled."
> In the various churches I have attending, it has been present as being the
> restriction of creating hybrid plants and fruits for consumption. You may
> say that this is not a correct interpretation. That is your right. I would
> say though that unless you have direct evidence to the contrary, it's
better
> to be safe than sorry. It amazes me how we can require the listing of
things
> such a MSG and other things on food, but have no law requiring the
labeling
> of hybrids and genetically manipulated food. While some may consider
> themselves to be as knowledgeable as God, and enjoy playing with something
> we are still trying to understand, I see no value for such things. Some
will
> say that with this technology we can make crops that hold up to weather
and
> insects. This may help the farmers produce higher yields, but at what
risk?
> Just look at what it did to the cattle in England. In no way am I saying
> that we should not continue research in genetics, but studying and trying
to
> manipulate are two different things. Would you let your child grab the
stove
> just to see what would happen? Why do we as a society allow such
techniques
> to be used in science? "Let's see what happens if we do this." This seems
to
> be the catch phrase. Let's first understand completely what we are doing
> before we truly mess up our entire ecology.
> Thanks for you patience.
> Don P
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu]On
> Behalf Of Robert Schneider
> Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 8:59 PM
> To: asa@calvin.edu
> Subject: Re: cosmology & polygamy
>
>
> Don, where is this passage in Scripture, and what is its context? To whom
> is the OT "saying" this?
>
> If we are to apply the Levitical laws to ourselves, we also shouldn't be
> eating cheeseburgers or wearing polyester suits. Should we think they
also
> are not acceptible to God? How far does one take this argument?
>
> Bob
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Perrett" <don.perrett@verizon.net>
> To: "george murphy" <gmurphy@raex.com>
> Cc: "Asa@Calvin. Edu" <asa@calvin.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 9:30 PM
> Subject: RE: cosmology & polygamy
>
>
> > Good point, but doesn't the OT say not to create hybrid plants? If so,
> then
> > what makes us think that hybrid/genetic engineered anything would be
> > acceptable to God.?
> > Don P
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu]On
> > Behalf Of george murphy
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 7:54 PM
> > To: D. F. Siemens, Jr.
> > Cc: hvantill@novagate.com; rjschn39@bellsouth.net; asa@calvin.edu
> > Subject: Re: cosmology & polygamy
> >
> >
> > "D. F. Siemens, Jr." wrote:
> >
> > > On Mon, 15 Apr 2002 17:43:30 -0400 george murphy <gmurphy@raex.com>
> > > writes:
> > > >
> > > > Agreed. WWJD ist OK as a broad ethical principle (cf. Phil.2:5) but
> > > > we have to use
> > > > our brains, among other things, to apply it in the situations that
> > > > confront us in
> > > > the world.
> > > >
> > > > Shalom,
> > > >
> > > > George
> > > >
> > > George,
> > > I've always had trouble with WWJD. Jesus would heal the sick, raise
the
> > > dead, feed the hungry with whatever crumbs were available. I'm not
quite
> > > sure how the principle behind the cleansing of the Temple would be
> > > translated into action relative to at least some of the
televangelists.
> > > But none of these things are being done by our contemporaries.
> > >
> > > I note also that many of those who seem to subscribe to WWJD are adept
> at
> > > truncated quotations. "Judge not" is one of their favorites.
> >
> > As I said, it should be viewed as a general principle, not a
> > detailed
> > plan of action. It can be made absurd if it's turned into "What did
Jesus
> > do?" - we aren't all called to wear sandals or be carpenters. OTOH the
> > gospels give us no examples of Jesus having to make decisions about
> genetic
> > engineering or many of the other ethical problems that we're confronted
> with
> > today.
> >
> > Shalom,
> >
> > George
> >
> > George L. Murphy
> > http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
> > "The Science-Theology Interface"
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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