davewhite04 said:
Perhaps, but given that I believe the Bible is inspired by God then my faith remains in Him. ... some people experience a real personal relationship with Christ and are also blessed with the Holy Spirit; this is all some people need.
In other words, this discussion is futile. I am no match for circular reasoning, much less some fictive Holy Spirit. I can only leave you with the reminder that the followers of competing religions, including the many purged variants of Ante-Nicene Christianity, felt and feel likewise inspired and blessed. In the words of Stephen Roberts:
I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.
davewhite04 said:
Why would early church leaders decide to concoct a fictitious story that just happened to fulfil numerous prophecies, were men capable of this in your opinion?
You are, of course, kidding. Do you accept the stories of competing religions?
Dave, if you wish to discuss either of these
"prophesies", I suggest that you select one and start a new thread.
davewhite04 said:
So is the text for this verse in Jewish scripture different or am I confused by what you are trying to explain by harmonisation?
See
[here]. Leading Tanach/LXX/DSS scholars consider the RSV to be closer to the original, with changes subsequently made to erase the residue of early Israelite henotheism.
davewhite04 said:
You provided a perspective that I couldn’t because of my lack of knowledge about Jewish traditions. I think I did jumble up my response so it wasn’t clear though.
The prohibition on Shabbat centers around issues of doing word and exerting creative effort. Had Yeshua used special chants or potients, he could have been justifiably condemned. He did nothing of the kind.
davewhite04 said:
Do you think Luke is the only dodgy gospel in the context we’re talking?
Good God no!
There's the Passion narrative for example.