Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin Riley" <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

Karl 
 
Thank you for at least noticing that some people in state churches - today
(I hope) as well as in the past - were/are real Christians. I still find
your judgement of the developers of DH as 'pagans' who had only mercenary
reasons for joining the church somewhat offensive, but at least we are
making progress. I still do not see what difference it would make if they
were actual pagans who sacrificed children regularly every Wednesday when it
comes to the issue of whether their hypothesis about the Hebrew text of the
Pentateuch was correct. Either it explains the reality we find, or it does
not. Either way, their religious beliefs are not really relevant. More than
one good theory has been based on an erroneous methodological basis. The
error is usually corrected by later theorists. The real question is not
whether the developers of the DH had religious beliefs that meet with your
approval, but whether the theory, as taught today, explains the reality of
the text and its history.  For what it is worth, I have reservations about
the details of the DH, but that has nothing to do with its developers', or
present exponents', religious or philosophical beliefs.
 
Kevin 
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: K Randolph 
Date: 1/02/2008 12:32:50 AM 
 
Dear Kevin: 
This response is what makes discussions sometimes most interesting. This 
Response was almost opposite of my intent. 
 
Had those people who founded DH lived in the U.S., they most likely would 
Not have been members of any church at all, but would have been recognized 
For the pagans they were. At that time, churches in the U.S. Were for the 
Most part independent of the government and membership was voluntary. 
 
However, they lived in Europe where in most countries it was almost 
Impossible to get a university position or often any other work without 
Having to belong to a state church, and so they were nominal Christians to 
Get the benefits that accrued from that membership. 
 
This was not intended to comment on the majority of the people at that time 
Who attended state churches. 
 
Karl W. Randolph.