Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Yochanan Childs <jayc AT telepath.com>]

Doug Kasten wrote:

> Dear Lloyd,
>
> Thanks for your clarification.  Your appreciation for my perspective is
> noted and likewise appreciated.   As I'd said, I wasn't insulted or
> offended by what you wrote, and your (unneeded) apology  certainly
> demonstrates your desire for civility.  My initial posting to you had to
> do with the nature of your argumentation and my growing disinterest.  I
> simply wanted you to know why.
>
> As a demonstration that the presuppositional Divide still divides us,
> consider these words of your response to me:
>
> "That El  and Yahweh were the gods of the peoples of Israel and Judah is
> self-evident."
>
> Ah, a return to the crux!  I'm afraid our schism is more final than
> further explanation or clarification can account for.   No, it's not
> "self-evident".  You asked, some time ago, of the list's participants if
> you'd convinced them that El and Yhwh were two different gods.  Most
> responses were an outright 'no' and I think I remember a qualified 'yes'
> or two.  My problem remains that you presuppose something that isn't
> easily (or at all) 'provable' and leave those of us who don't share your
> presuppostions behind at that point.  This is why I don't read your
> postings anymore.  This is just one citation from your response.  There
> are others I could cite with ease that make clear why we are at
> presuppositional odds.
>
> You're free to hold your presuppositions, of course.  I simply wanted to
> let you know that I exercise my freedom not to read further as a result
> thereof.
>
> I've read your most recent posting in its entirety since I believe I
> prompted it, and it's the minimal courtesy due you.  However, my initial
> position remains, and you have lost a reader unless you can somehow
> mitigate the forcefulness of your presuppositions.  If not, we have a
> civil, though decisive, parting of ways.
>
> Thanks for your attention to this matter.  From time to time I'll check
> in again with your postings to see what you're assuming in your
> arguments.  Who knows?  As for the moment, feel no need to address this
> issue any more, at least as far as I'm concerned.  You'd do far better
> with your time addressing an audience which shares more of  your
> 'assumed'.  I likewise will be turning my attention to what is truly
> productive for me at this time.
>
> Warmly,
> Doug
> Dt. 6:4
>
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Doug,

Bravo, Brother:

I couldn't have said the above better myself.  I doubt that anyone could.  
Having been
a Hebraist for five short years and having spent the majority of my adult life
studying systems of believe, theistic, atheistic, henotheistic and 
polytheistic, I
have come to the conclusion that the more theories are floated denying the 
essential
personality of the God of Israel, the more reasonable the Judeo-Christian 
doctrines
seem to be.

In peace,


Jay Childs