tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.comments2024-01-28T08:54:32.914-06:00That's interesting...Bill Garthrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comBlogger3831125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-18918171626358690802024-01-28T08:54:32.914-06:002024-01-28T08:54:32.914-06:00Thanks for the comment, Josh. But why don't yo...Thanks for the comment, Josh. But why don't you send me an email, so we can discuss this stuff? Here's the contact page: https://garthright.blogspot.com/p/contact.html<br /><br />I enjoy discussing this stuff, but I haven't blogged in years. As you point out, I posted this more than ten years ago. And when it comes to blog posts here, I never even made it through the OT, let alone the whole Bible. (It just got mind-numbingly boring in Numbers. But I didn't blog for long, anyway.)<br /><br />Briefly, I agree with you about books not being written in a vacuum. But Christians don't consider this to be just another book. And if a <i>god</i> had anything to do with it - <i>any</i> god, let alone one that's supposed to be all-knowing and all-powerful - then I'd expect a book to be written well enough that at least his own <i>worshipers</i> would all agree on what it said!<br /><br />I don't expect to "observe" a god, if that god doesn't want to be observed (though... why not?). I don't expect to "observe" magic leprechauns, either, if <i>they</i> don't want to be observed. But evidence is how we distinguish reality from delusion and wishful-thinking.<br /><br />I certainly don't ask for a 'scientific discovery proving the existence of God.' But asking for <b>something</b> distinguishable from wishful-thinking backing up religious claims doesn't really seem like too much to ask, does it? But it always is.<br /><br />Again, please send me an email. It's far easier to discuss this stuff by email. But thanks again for the reply.Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-30451217081112336582024-01-27T18:10:52.590-06:002024-01-27T18:10:52.590-06:00(I ran out of space)
I'll admit, I don't k...(I ran out of space)<br />I'll admit, I don't know the answer, but I would put forth one factor to consider- that is, the interpretation made by the observer of the evidence collected, both in determining what qualifies as evidence to begin with, and how one can interpret the evidence to reach a conclusion. Deciding what evidence is worth considering and how that evidence is interpreted will lead to the observer's conclusion. (How's that for parallelism?)<br /><br />I've seen videos and read articles that have made claims such as, "This scientific discovery proves the existence of God!" and I intended to present some to you, but I'll be honest, I haven't done the research to present any of these to you at this time for your consideration. I'll attempt to track some down. One note about them, though, is that they all MUST resort on some form of interpretation by the observer to reach these conclusions. I would hope that these claims would be made in good faith, but that, again, would take some interpretation of our own. <br /><br />I feel I've run off on a rabbit trail a bit here, but if you'll indulge me, I'd like to come back and revisit this Blog again to discuss some of the other comments you've made about the text. I appreciate you reaching out again. I hope to respond in a much swifter manner in the future.<br /><br />One of the experts I edited out of the first comment is Dr. Michael S. Heiser, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Heiser He is an Old Testament Scholar and Hebrew language expert featured prominently in this presentation: https://youtu.be/2QM7anD5vSI?si=6st6V8SQRb4oTilX You may find it interesting.<br />Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168310898922686349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-27169248193169232392024-01-27T18:07:38.704-06:002024-01-27T18:07:38.704-06:00I appreciate what you're attempting to do here...I appreciate what you're attempting to do here. To be honest, I doubt many Christians or people who say they believe the bible have done this. I've read only this first entry in your series so far, and I'm interested to see what observations you make as we go along. I am not a Bible scholar either, but I've read some stuff by people who are. <br /><br />The first thing to consider when reading the Old Testament, or any other ancient writing, for that matter, is, what is the context of the writing. None of these works were written in a vacuum, and many people "study" them (the Bible) as if they were. A part of this is being knowledgeable of the culture from which the author originates, and what the cultures around the author are like. Given the context, we also must be careful not to apply our own modern culture to the text either. This can lead to further misunderstanding. <br /> Another thing to recognize is, what type of writing is it? The Bible contains many different types of writing, such as historical accounts, prophecy, poetry and songs. Each type has its own purpose within the overall work of the Scripture itself. Understanding what type of writing the given portion is will aid in how to understand it.<br /><br />Take this first portion of Genesis. This is the account of the creation of the world, but given it's structure(and I'm leaning on what I remember from an Old Testament Survey class I took two decades ago, so feel free to confirm this) it is very poetic. The retelling of the creation account is not the combination of two creation myths, as you suppose in your reading of it, but is presented with a structure reminiscent of the parallelism of Hebrew Poetry most visible in the "Wisdom Literature" of the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc. Types of Parallelism in Hebrew poetry aren't a redundancy, but a structuring of the text to emphasize or clarify a point.<br /><br />I'm curious to note that you mention a contradiction here, but after rereading the passage myself, I don't see it. I'm curious as to where you see this. (I apologize for asking this of a blog you posted over 10 years ago.)<br /><br />What I read here, and again, I am not a biblical scholar, is we see the account framed, first and foremost, with the supposition of the existence of God. Preeminent, before all things, even before the world, God is. Then God creates the world. This account assumes God exists, and declares that God exists outside of and apart from His creation. <br /><br />Given the last interaction we had, nearly 2 months ago, in the YouTube comments section(sorry about the wait), I thought this would be a good place to park for a moment. If the creation account is taken literally, at least in the fact that God created the world, but He is not a part of that creation. This would, by my understanding, severely limit our ability, as creatures within this world, to OBSERVE god within this creation apart from the ways in which he has interacted with us directly. In other words, is there evidence we can gather from this creation, by means of the scientific method, that would prove the existence of this God, who is outside this creation, who is not made up of this creation?<br />Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05168310898922686349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-20870774729874990212023-12-10T08:44:30.006-06:002023-12-10T08:44:30.006-06:00Evidence?
I don't hate God. That's just s...Evidence?<br /><br />I don't hate God. That's just silly. I simply see no reason to think that "God" isn't just as imaginary as all of the gods you <i>weren't</i> taught to believe as a child.<br /><br />But I haven't blogged in years (and I wasn't active for years before that). So send me an email, instead. Check out the "Contact" page at the right side of the screen here.<br /><br />Thanks.Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-30876485517278192882023-12-10T06:59:30.934-06:002023-12-10T06:59:30.934-06:00Please run to Jesus before it's too late Bill,...Please run to Jesus before it's too late Bill, it's all actually real.<br /><br />Don't go to the grave hating God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-81811161243130760172023-09-29T23:10:08.506-05:002023-09-29T23:10:08.506-05:00Lovely bloog you haveLovely bloog you haveHarris Aydanhttps://harrisaydan.tumblr.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-40493095638410723422023-08-03T20:14:05.428-05:002023-08-03T20:14:05.428-05:00Thanks for possting thisThanks for possting thisRenglones Torcidoshttps://fcofelixd.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-78057710529657108992023-06-03T19:44:48.044-05:002023-06-03T19:44:48.044-05:00Nice blog thanks foor postingNice blog thanks foor postingCupcake Recipeshttps://www.cupcakefoodies.com/cupcakes/raspberry_and_blackberry_cupcakes_with_whipped_cream_5560903363.shtmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-30262011984229341692023-04-18T08:28:58.624-05:002023-04-18T08:28:58.624-05:00Maybe you should have read the second half of that...Maybe you should have read the second half of that sentence, Anonymous.<br /><br />Do you have something to say? Something pertinent? Let's hear it, then.<br />Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-16228458040430593702023-04-18T08:25:39.133-05:002023-04-18T08:25:39.133-05:00You do realize that this is a five-year-old video,...You do realize that this is a five-year-old video, don't you, Anonymous?<br /><br />And evidence for <i>what?</i> Big claims? Like <i>what?</i> You don't say, because you're obviously just a troll. That's why you're being so vague, huh?<br /><br />Yeah, I can't take you seriously, Anonymous. Grow up.Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-79755420243878806912023-04-17T17:51:20.663-05:002023-04-17T17:51:20.663-05:00"[Being a skeptic] doesn't imply that we ..."[Being a skeptic] doesn't imply that we can't know anything"<br /><br />Actually that's exactly what that means. That's literally what Academic skepticism as a philosophy is. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-54588824292383228482023-04-17T17:45:07.781-05:002023-04-17T17:45:07.781-05:00Do you have evidence for this, Bill?
All I need i...Do you have evidence for this, Bill?<br /><br />All I need is just a humdrum of evidence... shouldn't be much to ask, I'd think. These are pretty big claims you're making over here, Bill. Big claims need big evidence, as they say. Come on, Bill. Let's see it! Heh heh...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-32446986375953430672022-07-20T16:02:48.222-05:002022-07-20T16:02:48.222-05:00Interesting readInteresting readBrookline Boilershttps://www.boilers-radiators.com/us/radiators-massachusetts/brookline-boilers.shtmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-4830382660597728402022-05-20T08:05:29.009-05:002022-05-20T08:05:29.009-05:00Thanks for the comment, Tulawe. But do you have on...Thanks for the comment, Tulawe. But do you have <b>one piece of good evidence</b> that <i>any</i> of that is actually true?<br /><br />You speak of "eyewitness testimony in the Bible," but... of what? As far as I know, that's not even close to being true.<br /><br />I'd be happy discussing this with you, but this is a very old post on a blog I don't use anymore. So please send me an email. On the right side of this page, fairly near the top, there's a link to a "Contact" page where you can get my email address.<br /><br />I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-34397753739248018392022-05-19T16:18:58.671-05:002022-05-19T16:18:58.671-05:00God has communicated His will and purpose for all ...God has communicated His will and purpose for all mankind, His action plan for ultimate redemption and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, via His Word.<br /><br />It takes humility to read and understand God's word. Having some knowledge of literature analysis is just the first step. Yes, the Bible is a combination of a number of genres: apocalyptic prophecy, poetry and historical narrative. One thing is for certain there is more than enough historical narrative and eyewitness testimony in the Bible to show that God exists, that He is the Creator and that His plan to save mankind from the bondage of sin and evil came to fruition over 2000 years ago, through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Of course, the Bible's reliability as the true Word of God, is backed up by our own individual and collective human experiences. Only the Creator can explain the human condition so perfectly well. <br /><br />The reason this world is falling apart is become of the problem of sin, and of people looking ultimately to themselves for the solution, rather than looking to our Heavenly Father who has already provided us with the Way (Jesus Christ).<br /><br />One only has to look at the virtues Jesus commanded for mankind to follow, to live a purpose driven and God-honouring life. <br /><br />There is a life after death. I don't have to prove it. I know this world, on its current trajectory, is going to implode from the growing problem of sin, not to mention, the growing environmental catastrophes on the horizon. The bible has already accurately spoken of these. This world and universe will eventually die.<br /><br />Now does this mean that I as a Christian, should not care for this life and just focus on the life after? Of course not. Jesus has clearly given a commandment to all people who profess to love Him and follow Him, that they must live godly lives, walking in the Holy Spirit, and displaying Christ's character in their lives, which are, truth, holiness, love, gentleness, patience, selflessness, generosity, self control, kindness, faith, mercy, forgiveness etc.<br /><br />Christ transforms people, but because sin is so deeply embedded in us, the transformation is not instant. Indeed Jesus takes us on a journey, making us understand, in the face of persecution and different trials and temptations, why such a transformation is needed and why we need to continue having faith and doing good for God's kingdom.Tulawehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05397631191065447327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-64283347656673418002022-02-17T23:53:50.848-06:002022-02-17T23:53:50.848-06:00hahah I have said that for a hot minute...He is 10...hahah I have said that for a hot minute...He is 100 percent russian ....Why ? Because . Him and Larry the cable guy are two peas in a pod i suspect. Miss AMERICA And The All American Larry ...Donald trump was in HOME ALONE 2 , thats one way he got his foot into the door in showbiz , so he could get at particular celebrities....one being someone I dont want to explain to anyone because me opening a can of worms is a drop in the swimming pool to say the least. o yea my name is just a movement, not a crazy person ...just a spiritual G<br /><br />creepmobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05403676276085736901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-47796688575496100452022-01-01T23:56:57.613-06:002022-01-01T23:56:57.613-06:00This was greeat to readThis was greeat to readJasonhttps://www.jasontrevino.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-67184003699900869102021-04-13T07:44:40.426-05:002021-04-13T07:44:40.426-05:00Thanks for the comment, Unknown. I don't blog ...Thanks for the comment, Unknown. I don't blog anymore, but I'm still playing this game, off and on. Of course, there have been a lot of changes since I first posted this.<br /><br />Those are good tips. (I'll just point out that you'll also need a screwdriver to start a car without the keys - and it's a good idea to choose one with a destroyed security system.)<br />Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-58984940791753845282021-04-13T00:10:23.504-05:002021-04-13T00:10:23.504-05:00Remove the curtains from the windows on the evac s...Remove the curtains from the windows on the evac shelter for a heavy stick and sheet. You also get long strings. Smash a bench and craft a wooden needle to quickly get to sewing. <br /> Crafting a brazier is a quick and safe way of making a fire indoors. The only issue is the smoke emitted. You can also load wood into house stoves and start safe fires. Even though the idea goes against most people's sensibilities.<br /> For the car hunters out there: Bring a pair of pliers or a wrench, any container (preferably a gallon jug or better) and a hose (which can be found smashing fridges). You'll be able to siphon fuel from vehicles or swap car batteries easily. Your biggest issue will be security systems and damaged tires.<br /> A quick step up: Typically I focus on searching for military crashes. There are often a lot of military zombies, but if you lead one at a time you often get m4s to pick up and use against the remainder. Just be cautious and be safe.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18101581241824095539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-62826508801975172762021-02-19T08:45:07.147-06:002021-02-19T08:45:07.147-06:00Thanks for the comment, Mike. I don't blog any...Thanks for the comment, Mike. I don't blog anymore, and I see that the video I'd posted here has been deleted from YouTube. But I still enjoy replying to comments.<br /><br />Like Matt, I'm an American, and those other Christian churches you mention have zero influence here. As far as I know, I've never even met one of those kinds of Christians. Certainly, I've never talked with one. (Well, maybe on YouTube. But not that I know about.)<br /><br />You say that they "make up nearly all the Christians worldwide," but that doesn't seem to be the case. <a href="https://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/08/orthodox-christianity-in-the-21st-century/" rel="nofollow">Pew Research</a> shows that Orthodox Christianity has been declining and makes up only 12% of the Christians in the world. <br /><br />That's still a lot of people, of course. But I'm not an atheist because of the New Testament. I'm an atheist because I've never seen even <b>one</b> piece of good evidence that a god exists - <i>any</i> god, let alone a particular one.<br /><br />And that's what I ask all believers of every religion and every god or god, just for <b>one piece of good evidence</b> that their religious beliefs are actually <i>true.</i><br /><br />Maybe one piece of good evidence wouldn't be enough to convince me, but if they don't have even <b>one</b>, they have nothing at all. So far, every Christian I <i>have</i> talked to - every theist I've talked to - has had nothing which can be distinguished from delusion and/or wishful-thinking.<br /><br />You said that you're a "believer." Do <i>you</i> have something, then? Something clearly distinguishable from delusion and wishful-thinking? After all, evidence is how we typically distinguish reality from delusion and wishful-thinking.<br /><br />Claims, on the other hand, are easy. <i>Every</i> religion makes claims - diverse claims that contradict the claims of other religions.<br /><br />I don't know anything at all about the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, or Assyrian Churches. Again, they're very, very tiny here in America. But I'll admit that I'd be surprised if they had any good evidence backing up their claims, either.<br /><br />PS. I must admit I find it funny that Christians can't even agree with <i>each other</i> about much of anything, let alone with the other faith-based people in the world. And yet, they all seem to think that there's an all-knowing, all-powerful, magical being who really, really wants us all to know him.<br /><br />How can that even make <i>sense</i> to people? I've never understood that. How inept can a god <i>be</i> that he can't even get his own worshipers all facing in the same direction (let alone all of the people eager to worship a god, but think that a different one is real)?<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment.Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-45487207679644515022021-02-18T10:41:33.345-06:002021-02-18T10:41:33.345-06:00I'm a "believer" but find myself agr...I'm a "believer" but find myself agreeing with atheists, agnostics, even Rabbi Tovia's criticism of the New Testament nearly 100% of the time. Unfortunately, these "Christians" are the majority in the English speaking world. <br /><br />I've not seen the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Churches theologies/beliefs addressed at all though - sometimes Matt hits on the Roman Catholic Church but only in a limited way and usually superficially. Considering the first 3 make up nearly all the Christians worldwide - and all 4 are considered "historical" churches with the earliest roots. It seems they would have better explanations than American protestants, who are relatively new in comparison, and have boxed themselves into this Bible-only cultishness that the others don't seem to do.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-34233578770136243282020-11-16T07:52:59.416-06:002020-11-16T07:52:59.416-06:00No, I don't. Sorry, Nate.
I don't remembe...No, I don't. Sorry, Nate.<br /><br />I don't remember this video, myself - it's been a few years, and I don't even blog anymore - but I tried doing a quick search. Unfortunately, this is the only version I can find, and as you say, it doesn't seem to be available anymore.<br />Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-7744850167494325422020-11-16T00:35:26.558-06:002020-11-16T00:35:26.558-06:00Do you know where I can find a copy of this video?...Do you know where I can find a copy of this video? It's one of my favorites, but it doesn't seem to be available on the internet anymore. (I can't view the version in this blog post because it says it's a private video.)Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08074150563236582642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-15961861086910110242020-09-30T08:03:18.592-05:002020-09-30T08:03:18.592-05:00Thanks for the comment, Markas. I posted this eigh...Thanks for the comment, Markas. I posted this eight years ago, and I no longer blog at all. But I appreciate the comment.Bill Garthrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08552459555883204060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379287241318002122.post-42457619619596557562020-09-29T12:11:14.925-05:002020-09-29T12:11:14.925-05:00I have read and watched virtually everything McKen...I have read and watched virtually everything McKenna, literally 1000s of hours and the Wikipedia entry needs to be corrected. McKenna never took his own novelty theory seriously and treated it as an interesting mental exploration. He abhorred belief without evidence and pseudoscience. He always remained a science based materialist reductionist who had glimpsed the transcendental and sought to push the limits of its understanding. This bit of McKenna posted here is totally consistent with the most important of his work. It's easy enough to judge for yourself on the youtube. He was one of our great modern thinkers.Markashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10717610307727496618noreply@blogger.com