Theology is metaphysics. Epistemology must come first.

[37818]

When we read our bibles:

How we know about the Bible came before what we know about the Bible.
As with anything we think we know, how we know anything comes before what we know about anything.

 

[taisto]

When we read our bibles:

Van, this isn't a bad thing. However, I would tweak just a little.

1) Ask "what does it say?" (Paraphrase it in our own words)

In this question, I would go deeper to observe what other translations read and use a concordance and thesaurus to dig deeper into key words so that any paraphrase I create would state the meaning of the original writer.

2) Ask "what does it mean?" (Not what others claim)

I also would ask questions about what God was saying. I would then try to answer the questions, using the research tools in #1. Then I would interpret the meaning.

After this, I would look at what others had said who are scholars. Do they agree or disagree and why? Did I miss something in my observations?

3) Ask "how could I apply it to my life?" (Be doers of God's word, not just hearers)

Yes, what application does this have to how I worship God in word and deed.

4) Ask "how can I share it with others?" (We are Christ's ambassadors)

Here, I entrust this to God, that He would open doors to talk with those he desired me to speak with.

Van, what you have written is a good start. Thanks for sharing.

 

[taisto]

All theology is metaphysics.

So theology is just a subset of philosophy?

Definition of METAPHYSICS

 

[37818]

So theology is just a subset of philosophy?

Definition of METAPHYSICS

It can be. Since most all of what ever one thinks one knows comes from others. Very few exceptions.

 

[taisto]

It can be. Since most all of what ever one thinks one knows comes from others. Very few exceptions.

Would you say the writers of the Bible are merely stating philosophy?

 

[37818]

Would you say the writers of the Bible are merely stating philosophy?

God used men. 2 Peter 1:21. Men made copies. Men translated it. Men printed it as a Bible. You or someone bought it from people.

 

[taisto]

God used men. 2 Peter 1:21. Men made copies. Men translated it. Men printed it as a Bible. You or someone bought it from people.

Please, answer the question.
Would you say the writers of the Bible are merely stating philosophy?

 

[37818]

Please, answer the question.
Would you say the writers of the Bible are merely stating philosophy?

No. But the scribes are still men transferring copies to new copies. Copies of the written words from God, and that claim is a belief, nonetheless.

 

[taisto]

No. But the scribes are still men transferring copies to new copies. Copies of the written words from God, and that claim is a belief, nonetheless.

So, this whole thread is you, attempting to split a hair with meaningless and pointless jargon. Got it. I am out.

 

[37818]

So, this whole thread is you, attempting to split a hair with meaningless and pointless jargon.

What was pointless jargon?
No one knows anything except from others. Beginning with other people. Even before you heard from God Himself to know Him.

 

[Van]

How we know about the Bible came before what we know about the Bible.
As with anything we think we know, how we know anything comes before what we know about anything.

I see this view as pointless obfuscation. All creation is the mine and we (humanity) are the miners. (Hat tip to A. Lincoln)

 

[37818]

I see this view as pointless obfuscation. All creation is the mine and we (humanity) are the miners. (Hat tip to A. Lincoln)

Romans 2:1, ". . . Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. . . ."

 

[37818]

Romans 2:1, ". . . Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. . . ."

Romans 2:1, ". . . Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. . . ."

 

[Van]

Romans 2:1, ". . . Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. . . ."

Yet another effort to cover falsehood with non-germane citations. See Job 28.

 

[Van]

Epistemology if like a house of mirrors. How do you know? To answer this question allows the rebuttal, and how do you know that? This process is endless.

All creation is the mine, and we (humanity) are the miners. Sure we can misapprehend truth and proclaim falsehood, but to claim human understanding is not based on reality, but simply the construct of human viewpoint, is basic to atheism. Reality bites. We learn from what does not work, thus refining our understanding to what works, not only for us individually, but also for others working independently.

Pay no attention to those who claim the "scientific method" is a construct of "white supremacy."

 

[37818]

Yet another effort to cover falsehood with non-germane citations. See Job 28.

Epistemology if like a house of mirrors. How do you know? To answer this question allows the rebuttal, and how do you know that? This process is endless.

All creation is the mine, and we (humanity) are the miners. Sure we can misapprehend truth and proclaim falsehood, but to claim human understanding is not based on reality, but simply the construct of human viewpoint, is basic to atheism. Reality bites. We learn from what does not work, thus refining our understanding to what works, not only for us individually, but also for others working independently.

Pay no attention to those who claim the "scientific method" is a construct of "white supremacy."

* Personal experience.
* Witness from others. [Most of what one thinks one knows. No exceptions.]
* True logical deduction.

 

[Van]

* Personal experience.
* Witness from others. [Most of what one thinks one knows. No exceptions.]
* True logical deduction.

And how do you know that?

Epistemology is like quicksand, the more you thrash to exist, the more you sink into mindless morass.

 

[37818]

And how do you know that?

From someone else.
And from logical deduction.

 

[Van]

From someone else.
And from logical deduction.

And how do you know that?

 

[37818]

And how do you know that?

Theology is metaphysics. Epistemology must come first.