waysider

Is there anyone here who speaks more than one language or is in the process of learning? Why, how, where, when, etc. This is not a survey, just an invitation to a general discussion, sparked by recent discussions of Bible research and translations. I have no idea where it might lead, but it doesn't necessarily have to be related to TWI or the previous discussion.

You mean like this one?

How would you know if you haven't read her book?

But you ARE in love with the collaterals, which is bibliolotry.

Did he, though? Much of what he expounded had been passed down through oral tradition.

None Of Us Are Free

If the leotard fits, you must do the splits.

So, then, SIT is basically like freestyle dancing but with sounds instead of movement.

What's an earfoam?

Tread lightly, the ice is thin in spots.

You can use earbuds with a Walkman? Who Knew?

This... From a person who apparently does not understand the concept of improvisation or character immersion.

For the most part, this discussion has been an exercise in futility. The issue is not "black/white, yes/no, either/or" in essence. The real question is what potion and how much of our decision making is influenced by conditioning as opposed to what portion and how much is governed by conscious decision. Obviously, there are infinite combinations possible.

It seems you have either forgotten the primary theme or weren't paying close attention the first time you read it. I spent 20 years studying the Cliff Notes.

scriptural reference?

Where do I even begin?

Learning doesn't necessarily have to occur in tiny increments. What you may be thinking of is the process of disciplined learning.

I thought you said His power was limited by a budget. How can something that's infinite be limited (finite)?

It wasn't me who claimed Socrates was an "impractical egghead".

Socrates would like a word with you.

Brutal!

Circular reasoning.

Well, ya know, it's spirchal, so it's more like Astroboy. Go! Go! Go! Astroboy!

Description: "In this radical critique of his own academic specialty, biblical scholar Hector Avalos calls for an end to biblical studies. He outlines two main arguments for this surprising conclusion. First, academic biblical scholarship has clearly succeeded in showing that the ancient civilization that produced the Bible held beliefs about the origin, nature, and purpose of the world and humanity that are fundamentally opposed to the views of modern society. The Bible is thus largely irrelevant to the needs and concerns of contemporary human beings. Second, Avalos criticizes his colleagues for applying a variety of flawed and specious techniques aimed at maintaining the illusion that the Bible is still relevant in today's world. In effect, he accuses his profession of being more concerned about its self-preservation than about giving an honest account of its own findings to the general public and faith communities. In a controversial conclusion, Avalos argues that our world is best served by leaving the Bible as a relic of an ancient civilization instead of the "living" document most religionist scholars believe it should be. He urges his colleagues to concentrate on educating the broader society to recognize the irrelevance and even violent effects of the Bible in modern life."

This is why "word studies" can be the bane of understanding. You can't simply substitute one word for another like deciphering a code. It's why you sometimes find product instructions that have been translated with laughably disastrous results. To further complicate the matter, spoken languages often differ from written languages, sometimes in profound ways that can only be understood in light of cultural nuances. I think, in some ways, what we did with these study aids is a bit like what people do today when they use the internet to self-diagnose a medical condition...sometimes correctly, often times not. Knowledge is a deadly friend If no one sets the rules The fate of all mankind I see Is in the hands of fools.... "Epitaph" (Peter Sinfield)