Re: Spellbound? (was Re: Cobb County)

David,

You said (28 Jan), " ...Genesis 1...makes it clear that methodological naturalism is highly appropriate for addressing pentultimate or antepentultimate origins...". And as Christopher wrote earlier (23 Jan), " The simple reason why the _supernatural_ must never be allowed 'a foot in the door' is that it cannot be tested, you cannot get a handle on it, and it is just another God-of-the-gaps arguments."

My case is simply this: the numero-geometrical features of the Bible's opening Hebrew words provide the _test-case_ that Christopher dismisses; for unless a reasonable _naturalistic_ explanation can be found for these phenomena, the principle of MN is permanently undermined. In other words, the findings of science - particularly as they offer a direct challenge to scriptural revelation - may well be invalid because of failures to take account of the possibility of supernatural interference.

By the way, I can't agree with Don who wrote (28 Jan), " We have no proof - and are unlikely ever to have proof - that these complexities actually required special divine input. (What form would such proof take, anyway?)." Whilst the overall probability of the many rare and unique features that we find crammed into these 7 opening words may be difficult to quantify, the impression created is that this must be _vanishingly small_. [And, let us observe that such situations have not deterred investigators from making far-reaching claims in other fields!]

It is worth spending a little time contemplating this wonder, for it comprises a multi-stage development. When the words were first recorded, they possessed a relevant literal meaning - nothing more. Some centuries later - following the adoption by the Jews of a system of alphabetic numeration - the letters and words acquired, in addition, the status of numbers - and it is at this point that most of the geometrical and other features of interest _became available_ for inspection (but spotted by none, apparently!). The discovery of the universal constant 'e' by Euler, the adoption of the Metric System (both in the 18th century) and the creation of a standard for cut paper sizes in the 1960s, consolidated the Genesis 1:1 edifice as it is now known..

I have written of this as a 'standing miracle' - something that will forever remind those of us who seek and value truth - of our Creator's Being and Sovereignty, and of His Grace in providing those who love Him with such firm assurances in these testing days.

Vernon
www.otherbiblecode.com
   

 
----- Original Message -----
From: "bivalve" <bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com>
To: "ASA" <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 10:26 PM
Subject: Re: Spellbound? (was Re: Cobb County)

>> (3) You have completey ignored the second matter I raised, viz the > lessons that might be learned from the widespread negative reaction to > news of the numero-geometrical features of Genesis 1:1. Wouldn't you > agree that these phenomena strongly challenge the view that > _methodological naturalism_ is the only valid basis for the proper > investigation of ultimate origins? It would be good and proper if you > were to consider joining me in disabusing others of this significant > error.
>
> I don't think the numero-geometrical features address whether methodological naturalism is relevant to ultimate origins.
>
> The text of Genesis 1:1 makes it clear that methodological naturalism will be unable to address ultimate origins. However, Genesis 1 also makes it clear that methodological naturalism is highly appropriate for addressing pentultimate or antepentultimate origins:
>
> Everything is created by an orderly God.
> There aren't any rouge powers, quarreling deities, or other factors that might disrupt the regular workings of creation, unlike pagan views.
> We were made to rule over creation. In order to do so well, as good stewards, we need to be able to determine how creation works.
>
> Thus, there are good reasons to expect a study of the ordinary workings of the universe to be very productive and informative.
>
> Dr. David Campbell
> Old Seashells
> University of Alabama
> Biodiversity & Systematics
> Dept. Biological Sciences
> Box 870345
> Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0345 USA
> bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
>
> That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate Spa
>
>
Received on Sat Jan 29 16:40:17 2005