Biblical Hebrew Forum

[b.gardner AT abdn.ac.uk]

Dear Friends,
             Most of what I've read about the conflicting evangelical 
Christian 
and neutralist stances tends to confirm what I wrote which can be expressed 
as 
follows (and here I also applaud Jonathan Safen's attempts to bring sanity):

1] Can we please avoid aggressive application of a strict Christian 
historicism 
which denies that it is so?  Christianity is one interpretation of the Hebrew 
Bible, and it is not acceptable in an open list to pretend otherwise. I'd 
like 
to suggest, too, that using (B)CE and HB would not bust anyone's membership 
of 
the evangelical Christian brotherhood, just indicate a willingness to be meek.

As I recall, that is something Moses and Jesus are supposed to have in common.

2] The recent fortified theological aggressiveness, for example, has to my 
mind 
strengthened the view that Christians 'in the flesh' are intimidating 
specimens 
for others to cope with.  One is reminded of a man loudly bricking himself 
in, 
and inviting silenced neighbours to suffocate with him. Do I hear: 'No 
thanks'?

Personally, I think it's time we faced the fact we ARE different in 
perspective 
by having the courtesy to use neutral terms. We all know what we believe 
anyway 
but there are ways of showing that incidentally so as to learn from each 
other.

I have heard the Holy Spirit referred to familiarly, even possessively, but 
the 
shekinah, in Jewish and Christians traditions, brings unity, wisdom and 
peace, 
and none of us should ever be so very definite that we forget how small we 
are.

Is it possible, dear Christians, to remember God's love for his ancient 
people, 
on the one hand, and, on the other, that all people are made in God's image, 
so 
refraining from the bruising, dismissive comment that insists on its own way?

I am a Christian. Actually, a 'born-again' one, but I grew out of the fear of 
being overwhelmed by others into a more humble awareness of God's love for 
all.

Are we going to grieve the Spirit by aggressive insistence, or choose peace 
and 
mutual respect? We can still all think what we think, but we need not rub 
each 
other's noses in the differences. That's precisely why I use (B)CE and HB 
terms.

However, if others choose not to do that, I'll weather it, so long as there 
is 
a clear understanding that world-views are there for challenging. I may win 
my 
brother by argument, but may not close off his options and enforce 
acquiescence.

Shalom.

Bruce.