On Sun, 27 May 2001 12:38:49 -0400 "Harry W. Jones" writes: > Dear Paul, > > You posted: > > > The logic of Acts 2:38 can be expressed simply as: > > > > If A and B, then C and D (if you repent and get baptized, then > > you will have your sins forgiven and you will receive the Holy > > Spirit). > > > > This is all it says. It does not say, nor does it imply the > > following: > > > > If not (A and B), then not (C and D). > I found you post very interesting.But I think you have missed the > real question. The real question is, if(A but not B) then not(C or D)? > Or maybe stated this way, if(A but not B) then (C but not D)? > > You see Paul, these are the real questions we are interested in. > Do you think you might be able to help us? Harry: The statement, if (A and B), then (C and D), is the logical representation of Acts 2:38, "if you repent and receive baptism, then your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the Holy Spirit. What so many are erroneously inferring from this is the negation, if not (A and B), then not (C and D). The logical error is simply that a conditional does not imply its negation. Now the statement: if not (A and B), then not (C and D) translates into one of several possibilities: 1. If not (A and B), then not (C and D), or 2. If (A but not B), then (C but not D), or 3. If (not A and not B), then (not C and not D), or 4. If (not A but B), then (not C but D). Any of these 4 statements translates back into the original, if not(A and B), then not (C and D). Hence, if the original statement cannot be inferred from, if A and B, then C and D, then neither can the other four be inferred. The real question you mention above, if (A but not B) then not (C or D) is the same as # 2 above. Hence, this does address the real question. I know this does not deal directly with Greek syntax, but it does deal with an exegetical concern which if properly understood should free some from feeling they have to use the Greek to defend a certain position and others from erroneously drawing theological conclusions, as has been done. Paul Dixon --- B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [jwrobie@mindspring.com] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-327Q@franklin.oit.unc.edu To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu