"good" or "better": CAN WE NARROW THE FOCUS?

Alan B. Thomas a_b_thomas at yahoo.com
Tue Jun 25 19:45:40 EDT 2002


Carl, on this...

> If there is to be further discussion of
> the verse, could we keep
> it focused, please, on the Greek text?


A reference to 1 Cor. 7:1ff (and backward?)

I might be partially guilty of this, to which I would
like to apologize if I have offended anyone. I do
struggle however with how we might gain any meaningful
or satisfying understanding of various enigmatic texts
like this by a mechanical examination of the syntax
and grammar only. Really, I think one must go beyond
the mere structure of this verse to arrive at an
understanding of it. But I do see a rub here.

I am not advocating getting into theological debates,
but how much background material need be covered for
some passages remains a bit unclear to me. Based on
other lists that I have been on, this list has a
remarkable reputation for steering theologically
heated discussions off line. And I do think that
should continue. These discussions have seemed
friendly and respectful, and although some have
ventured into deeper speculation, I have found some of
this speculation helpful in my understanding of this
text.

This passage did not emerge out of a vacuum. And I
wonder if others struggle with how much background,
sometimes guesses, need be introduced into the
discussion of some texts. 



=====
Sincerely,
Alan B. Thomas

Unless God provides indisputable, verifiable evidence 
      of His revelation to mankind,
    it must be rejected at all costs....
  ("I did nothing in secret" Jesus Christ)

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