On twitter this morning a spirited discussion unfolded between myself, Hank, and Brad about the role of the Bible a a revealer of the Lord’s will.  Also present was a short discussion about the nature of loaning Greek and Hebrew words into English:

bradandrews says: Bible is not something we master or accomplish. We r called 2 surrender 2 it. As white flag is raised, change begins (via @preachitpreacha)

hundiejo says: @bradandrews when did the Bible become a substitute for the will of the Lord?

bradandrews says: @hundiejo i’m not following you…

hundiejo says: @bradandrews I don’t surrender to the Bible, I surrender to the Lord only (though the acts would look similar)

Hundiejo says: @bradandrews & we must B careful with our rhetoric of the Bible. its the Revelation, but not the Revealer – but out language confuses the 2

bradandrews says: @hundiejo where do you personally find the will of the Lord? just curious…

hundiejo says: @hankimler @bradandrews I hold Scripture to be useful for teaching rebuking, etc, but not as a magic sub for God Himself

hundiejo says: @bradandrews I find it though Scripture and Prayer and Experience of the Spirit and guidence from His Body.

hankimler says: @hundiejo are you saying we are not to surrender to the dabar yahweh? i agree we must be careful in our rhetoric but can u be overcompensate

hundiejo says: @hankimler transliterating hebrew does not make words more sacred.

hankimler says: @hundiejo that’s an unfair assumption that I take issue with.

bradandrews says: @hundiejo why the "magic sub" language? the primary way I know who God is thru His revelation in the Bible. not exclusively but primarily…

hundiejo says: @hankimler I don’t see how it can be *unfair* – you might disagree, though. At most you are creating an english technical word.

hankimler says: @hundiejo you assumed that because of translit. I was trying to make the word more special or authoritative, which is not true in any way.

hundiejo says: @hankimler and, to the outside observer, if there is no more contenxt given, it is what most people assume – my appologies

hankimler says: @hundiejo true, but can you be considered "outside?" Besides, the hebrew is shorter than english, that’s why I did it.

To continue this discussion, I’d like to ask you your views on the topic.  I’ve sketched out mine above.

Where is the “Will of the Lord” located?  How is it discovered? 

Of what value is using transliterated Greek and Hebrew words in theological discussions (both academically and on a popular level)?

 Update: I suggest you also take a look at Can’t Touch This, which deals with science, Gen 1-11, myth, and history.

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