Subject: Wise Debate? |
Bible Note: Paul, I've read with great interest your question concerning Lockman's wisdom or lack thereof in provideing this Forum. Additionally I've read the responses posted by EdB and JVH. I am a man well over fifty years old. I have been a Christian and an active church member for most of my life thus far. I have read and studied the Bible far less than I should but considerably nontheless. As a consequence of my many years of experience and study, it is quite true that I see questions posed on the Forum that strike me as so easy that any child in a Sunday School class should be able to give a ready answer. But the questioner may not have had the advantage that I enjoyed of being raised and nurtured by Christian parents. He may not, in fact, have ever been in a Bible study group in his life. Let's consider one of the very questions that has been mentioned, the question of where Cain got his wife. I attempted to answer it as best I could. I did not consider it flippant or off the wall, and the reason I didn't is this: Some time ago a friend, a prominent member of my city approached me and wanted to talk. He admitted he was embarrassed to bring the matter up with his pastor for fear of appearing dense. So he came to me, his friend. What did he want to talk about? Who in the world was Cain's wife! Now you see why I attempted to answer the user's question. I think we err when we think certain categories of questions should be proscribed on the Forum. That is not to say that questions that are quite clearly and unquestionably posed to trick, to be cute, to incite divisiveness, to promote a pet doctrine or refute one -- questions of this sort should not be asked, and if asked, ignored or answered courteously but curtly. The answer may simply be that there is no answer in light of Scripture. And that becomes a good answer indeed. I see no harm in debate, for what else could we call some of Jesus' discourses with the Jewish leaders? It should not, and need not, lead to invectiveness. One of you mentioned theology, that it should not be discussed. If by "theology" you mean narrow and quite often controversial doctrinal issues or dogma, I agree in toto. But a broader definition of theology is the study of God and His relation to the world. Doesn't that come close to describing what the Bible is all about? We don't want to ban that, do we? ... When I read a question posed on the Forum I try hard to envisage the questioner -- by the question itself, by the language (yes, even grammatical correctness), by any sense of urgency that might or might not be conveyed. This is far from being an exact science, but it helps. I think it fair to assume that the question is an honest one unless one can produce cogent reasons to think otherwise. Lockman provide a moderator? Not a good move. Suppose, for example, someone with an honest question, a real seeker of truth if I may so characterize it, attempted to post a question but had not the facility of writing skills necessary to pose his question in clear, standard English. The moderator might well filter his question out, to the detriment of the poor fellow who sought help in his quest to understand God's word.Besides that, who would want the job? Not I. If you have stayed with me thus far, thank you for your indulgence. Let us pray that this medium, this Forum, will be a blessing to Christians and a source of encouragement to those who may know of the Lord but don't yet know Him. This is, after all, the Web. What we say here literally encircles the globe. Isn't it intriguing to ponder on what the apostle Paul might have done with the opportunities that are literally at our fingertips? Hank. |