Glenn wrote:
<<If the Bible reflects the man-made cosmology of the 2nd millennium BC, then
inspiriation had no effect on the factual content of the Scripture.>>
PS: The theology in Gen 1-11 is the revelation, not the history qua history;
and the theology is factual. Your statement implies that you are a
positivist, that only sense-perceivable things are capable of being factual.
If you begin with the assumption that positivism is true, you can scarcely
end with a Christian conclusion.
GM: So where is the evidence of this superiority? The claim that the Bible is
superior in the theological message to that of other cultures, can only be
based upon
the presupposition that the Bible told us a true theology. That is circular
logic.
PS: Not so. Humans are made in the image of God; and even the unregenerate
have God's law written in their hearts (Rom 2:14, 15). In addition, the
creation testifies to
God. Consequently regardless of how one wishes to structure grace-will, it is
possible for the elect to see that the theology of Gen 1-11 is superior to
the theology to which it is directly opposed, namely the theology of
Babylonia; and, I think it is possible for even the non-elect to see this.
Other cultures than Babylonia will offer other contrasts which show the
superiority of the God of the Bible; but, my own calling is to interpret the
text in context, others can go from there.
In the Flood account, even though it is imbedded in the cosmology of the
times, the theology transcends the theology of the times. And, please note
that belief in the factuality of the occurrence of the Flood did not make any
difference to the Babylonians. They fully believed in the historical reality
of the Flood; but, that gave them no reason to believe in the God of the
Hebrews. The question that Gen 6-9 posed to them is, Which is the superior
God?
1. The head god of Babylonia who could not sleep at night because humans were
making so much noise, or the God of the Hebrews who neither slumbered nor
slept? It seems obvious without circular argument that the latter is
superior.
2. The head god of Babylonia who tried to destroy all mankind so that he
could sleep undisturbed, i. e., a self-centered capricious god, or the God of
the Hebrews who destroyed mankind because of their extreme sin, that is, a
God of justice? Again, it seems obvious without circular argument that the
latter is superior.
3. The gods of Babylonia who were so frightened by the breakdown of nature at
the Flood that they sat in a corner of the heavenly temple cowering and
moaning, or the God of the Hebrews who was in complete control from the
beginning? It seems obvious without circular argument that the latter is
superior.
4. The gods of Babylonia who were so hungry because they had received no food
offerings from humans during the Flood that they crowded around the sacrifice
of the Babylonian Noah like flies around food, or the God of the Hebrews who
accepts the sacrifice of Noah, but not only shows no interest in eating, but
uses the occasion for laying out instructions designed to bless mankind? It
seems obvious without circular argument that the latter is superior.
More could be added. But, I think these contrasts alone testify even to the
unbelieving (whether they repent or not) that the God of the Bible is
superior to the Babylonian god(s); and this superiority is obvious without
circular reasoning.
Paul
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