Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Jim West <jwest AT highland.net>]

At 06:13 AM 2/24/00 +0000, you wrote:
>I have been shocked by how many non-literalists I have seen here.  How many 
>here truly believe that the narrative of the HB represents true history and 
>is the Word of the Lord?

this is not really the venue for such a question-  but just so you'll know--
i certainly do not take the narrative of the HB as true history (in the
modern sense of the word).  As for its being "the word of the lord" in the
sense of God dictated or some such thing- not hardly.

>
>I don't want to be disrespectful toward my "opponents," but I think it 
>interesting that there are so many skeptics in the area of Hebrew studies.  
>Toward the opposite extreme (if I can be bad for a moment) it seems that 
>the more I study Greek the more I am convinced of the authenticity of the 
>NT.  Will the study of the HB lead, inevitably, to a doubt of its content?  
>I would hope not.

a study of the ancient near east will do that quite nicely for you.

>
>Wilbur Fields, a wonderful professor from my college, has studied Hebrew 
>for MANY years and he is the one of whom I spoke earlier saying that he 
>goes to Israel regularly.  He is brilliant and totally involved in 
>archaeology over in Palestine, yet the more he studies, the more is faith 
>confirmed.  What is up?  How can Hebrew, the language that God delivered 
>His message through, become a stumbling block for so many?

Its not a stumbling block.  its nice your friend finds his faith confirmed.
i suspect though that nothing in heaven or hell could change his views
anyway- so of course ever tidbit will be a source of confirmation for what
he already believes.  why be confused by the facts when your mind is already
made up?

>
>I would encourage you to not become so wrapped up in opinions about 
>insignificance that you forget overall pictures.  I don't intend anything 
>offensive toward anyone, but it seems the study of Hebrew leads most toward 
>a skeptic attitude toward God.  Be careful.
>

thanks for the warning.   the question then arises-- how do you resolve the
very difficult and complex issues involved in all the various aspects of
biblical studies?


best,

Jim
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jim West, ThD
jwest AT highland.net
http://web.infoave.net/~jwest