Hi Alter2Ego
1) AD HOMINEMS/PERSONAL ATTACKS ARE NOT HELPFUL
Clear explained: Though I understand why individuals claim that they take their theology and theories “directly” from scripture, this is not what actually happens. What happens is individuals typically read the bible and, using their personal context and bias, create personal meaning of the text that may (or may not) be shared by others.
Thus, your (and my) theologies typical come from our various subjective interpretations of text. Because our individual contexts and biases differ, our resulting interpretations will differ.
And because our interpretations differ, our theology will differ.
Alter2Ego reponded: “That's a red flag. It tells me you are not interested in being corrected by scripture.”
You are confused.
Your claim that others who disagree with you “are not interested in being corrected” is a self-serving attack that does not release you from the obligation to learn and "accept correction" youself.
2) IF ONE IS GOING TO DEBATE HISTORICAL THEOLOGY THEY NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ HISTORICAL THEOLOGY
Alter2Ego said: “You responded with a wall of text at Post 547… Who do you think has time to read all of that?”
I think individuals who want to know what the text meant to its writers will have interest to read what the writers of the text said they meant by the text they wrote.
There is a great deal of data from the early Hebrews describing THEIR interpretation of the text THEY wrote. IF you will not take the time to examine the data and traditions and interpretations underlying the text, you cannot accurately cannot claim to know
Why should readers in the forum believe in your personal interpretation of the text when you admit you haven’t even read what the text meant to the people who actually wrote the text?
3) INAPPROPRIATE USE OF PERSONAL ATTACKS SERVE TO ANTAGONIZE OTHERS AND TO NOT SERVE TO SUPPORT A THEOLOGICAL THEORY
Alter2Ego: “You've chosen to believe that the Bible doesn't mean what it says. To hear you tell it:”
Instead of going directly to personal attacks (which do not educate, but personal attacks simply serve to further antagonize others against Jehovahs Witnesses and their religious theories), you could consider reading what the Hebrews said about the text they wrote and offer reasons why your interpretation is to be preferred over the interpretation of the people who actually wrote the text?
Immediate use of personal attacks is not “support” for your position, nor is it “faith”, but instead, it a form of obstinance.
Your refusal to consider how those who wrote the text, interpret the text they wrote is not an efficient way to understand their text and what they meant by what they wrote.
4) IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE SOURCE TEXT ACTUALLY SAYS, THIS UNDERMINES YOUR CLAIM TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLICAL TEXT ACTUALLY SAYS
Alter2Ego misquoted the text of 2 Tim 3:16 : “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching…”
However, the actual source text doesn’t really say this, does it.
IF your theology doesn’t come from what the source text actually says, why tell yourself that your theology comes from the authentic text?
Why is your subjective interpretation of a flawed version of the text better than the early Hebrews interpretation that was based on the actual texts?
5) ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OFFERING CORRUPTED SOURCE TEXT
I agree with Thomas' pointing out that your personal interpretation of Eccl 9:10 is missing some historical context that is contained in the hebrew (and contained in the hebrew historical "wall of text" you refused to read).
Alter2Ego offers another corrupted interpretation of text:
"Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead—and that is where you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10 -- Good News Bible)
This is another good example of inaccurate text. Notice AGAIN, the underlying source text does not say what your quote says.
IF You are ignorant of what the actual source text says, yet you are willing to offer corrupted text, why should any reader trust your inaccurate quotes or your interpretations OF inaccurate quotes?
6) IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HISTORICAL "SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT", YOU SHOULD NOT TRY TO ARGUE "SCRIPTURAL CONTEXT"
Alter2Ego said : “Without accepting the Bible as the authority and accepting what it says--based upon scriptural context…”
Wait. “Scriptural context”?
In your initial response, you complained that the historical context I offered was a “wall of text” and intimated you had “no time” to read such historical context.
How can you claim you read in context when you refuse to learn the actual historical context?
It’s illogical to refuse consideration of historical context, yet claim you use the very contextual principles you refuse to learn.
Why is your interpretation with it’s lack of historical context to be preferred to interpretation of the Hebrews who wrote the text?
7) IT IS NOT SCRIPTURE THAT IS SUBJECTIVE, BUT RATHER THE SUBJECT READING SCRIPTURE IS, BY DEFINITION "SUBJECTIVE"
Alter2Ego said : -Christians with different beliefs will argue for ad nauseam / in circles, claiming--as you are now claiming--that scripture is subjective
Again, you conclusion is illogical.
Scripture text is not subject.
It is your interpretation itself that is subjective.
YOU are the “subject” that is interpreting the text. THIS makes your interpretation of text “subjective” by definition.
Why is your interpretation to be preferred to the Hebrews who actually wrote the text?
8) PLEASE DO NOT FORGET I HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR YOU TO ANSWER MY PRIOR QUESTIONS FROM POST 532
CLEAR ASKED:
1) Regarding the resurrected body in Jehovahs Witness Theology
Since, upon the death of a person, absolutely nothing remains of the dead person, I assume that, in Jehovahs Witness theology, resurrection of the person who had been annihilated consists of God creating a different body (i.e. one capable of a heavenly existence).
Is this correct or do I misunderstand?
2) Regarding the resurrected personality, intelligence and emotions placed into a resurrected body
Since the original personality, intelligence and emotions no longer exist, I assume that, in Jehovahs witness theology, that God places another set of personality, intelligence and emotions into the resurrected body.
Is this correct or do I misunderstand?
Again, Alter2Ego, thank you so much if you can provide a simple and clear answer and for your insightful posts.