Vernon,
Thanks for your response.
CV: Yes, but look at the parable about the rich man and the poor man
(Lazarus) in Luke 16:29-31: where "father Abraham" is quoted as replying
to a request to have Lazarus warn people on earth: " they do not listen
to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone
rises from the dead."
So, even though I would not "tie [God's] hands," I suspect that the
parable is quite to the point:...
VJ > I agree that this is a most instructive parable - particularly, in
that, (a) we hear of the realities of heaven and hell from the Lord's
own lips and, (b) he endorses the writings of Moses and the prophets as
reliable sources of information. However, I observe that 'father
Abraham's' response to the rich man's request appears to relate
specifically to the latter's five brothers - and not to mankind in
general, as you suggest.
CV: Yes, Vernon, but keep in mind that this was a parable! I read this
parable as having a broader implication than you suggest.
CV: ...you cannot convince unbelievers by trotting out evidence.
VJ > Clearly, you are forgetting that some of those who had witnessed
his miracles responded to the Lord. Again, what of Paul's practice of
'reasoning from the Scriptures' (eg Acts 17:2, 18:19) ? [Also relevant
in this context is something I wrote recently under the heading "The
evidence of things seen" - Tue 15 May ]
CV: No, Vernon, I'm not forgetting these responses. I would certainly agree
that, before Golgotha and, for a short time afterwards, miracles were
necessary to "prove the point." I'm talking about present day events that
we pigeonhole under "miracles." My point is that an unbeliever will always
be able to find an explanation for these things, hence my reference to the
Lazarus parable. As an example, let me cite the crop circles (as mentioned
by Lucy a few days ago), UFO sightings, or the Loch Ness monster. There are
"believers" and there are sceptics who will not believe unless they catch
these little green or grey creatures in the act of making crop circles or
have a real Loch Ness monster to dissect.
CV: I am not qualified to comment on your numerical statements...
VJ > The demands made of those who wish to understand what I am 'beating
my drum' about are, in fact, exceptionally modest. I venture to suggest
that you - along with the majority of your country's adult population -
are suitably numerate and able to appreciate visual symmetry, and are
sufficiently hard-headed for the task. The bulk of the evidence derives
from the 7 positive integers that represent a fair alternative reading
of the Hebrew words of Genesis 1:1. Much of the power of this evidence
resides in the coordinated numerical geometries. However, in total, the
sheer volume of interesting detail suggests we are looking at an
_artefact_ rather than a _miracle of chance_. On closer inspection, we
conclude the artefact to be of supernatural origin - which, clearly,
raises a number of fundamental questions.
CV: I don't understand your reference to Jer. 17:9 in the context of
this discussion.
VJ > My reference to Jer.17:9 results from a careful consideration of
my personal experiences in attempting to bring this 'news' to a wider
public. I reason as follows:
(a) The material accumulated over the past 20 or so years is powerful
evidence for the reality of the supernatural; no other explanation of
the phenomena appears adequate.
(b) To date, despite all my efforts to publicise this body of
self-evident truth, it would appear that I have been largely
unsuccessful.
(c) I conclude that such evidence (with its inevitable implications) -
which appears to sit comfortably as a mystery awaiting the prompt
attention of all seekers after truth (scientists, in particular) - is,
unaccountably, to be avoided like the plague!
(d) Seeking a reason, I turn to the Word of God - in particular, to
Jeremiah 17:9 - where I find the answer clearly stated.
(e) Since it is extremely unlikely that any effort of mine can alter the
situation described, I am tempted to conclude that it is likely that the
phenomena exist for no ther reason than to ratify (possibly for the
benefit of the very few who already see!) the truth of God's low view of
fallen man - and to pinpoint some of the practical implications of
Jer.17:9.
I continue to accumulate evidence, for it is abundantly clear to me that
these things have been planned and implemented with a particular end in
view; an end that I can really only guess at; an end known only to the
Lord himself!
CV: Thanks for the explanation. However, I have neither the time nor the
inclination to pursue this. Maybe on the other side of the great divide it
will all become crystal clear.
Shalom!
Chuck
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