ha well some dialectic must be employed in order to reason--we read Scripture from a Hegelian pov by default--and i mean to suggest using the one the authors used at the time, with the understanding that the Hegelian was well known to them by 0ad, Christ even came, strangely enough, at the rise of Hegelian (Greek) reasoning; no one spoke Hebrew any more in Israel, etc
That's what I thought you meant. I believe the authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit. No philosophical debating stuff involved in that. Who were the authors debating or reasoning with? Who am I debating with when I read the Father's words to me via the inspired authors? It would be didactic if anything, wouldn't it? And yet that still smacks of human wisdom and not Inspiration. Not meaning to derail this thread or even really pursue any further, but I just don't see how such comes into this process at all? Paul may have reasoned with philosophers when evangelizing them, "become all things to all people", such as on Mars Hill, but for his inspired writings I do not think he was trying persuade anyone with reason. Rather simply being an available instrument for God to instruct directly and authoritatively through. I just don't see where any of this comes into play, but am appreciative of your reply. Seems like a perfect example to not lean on your (or my) own understanding. The scriptures must be illuminated (the Truth established) by the Holy Spirit. But I think that I now understand a lot more where you are coming from. Even when God says "Come let us reason together" there really wasn't going to be much of a debate. I do understand your approach.