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The Wisdom of Solomon
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Mike Davis
Nov 12, 2021, 11:40:08 AM11/12/21
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A little while ago I wrote and we discussed the nature of 'Scientism'
the irrational approach of (some) scientists and their unscientific
rejection of religion. (To avoid doubt, we do recognise that God as 'no
place' within scientific theory.)
I was delighted today to be reminded of a text (from the
deutero-canonical books) which cropped up in this morning's readings.
It's from the Book of Wisdom (sometimes called 'the Wisdom of Solomon' -
though it's much later than him!) written around 50BC. Christian readers
may wish to see that the personality of Wisdom is that of the Holy Spirit.
But this (Wisdom 13:1-9) deals with 'Scientism':-
1. Yes, naturally stupid are all who are unaware of God, and who, from
good things seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by
studying the works, have not recognised the Artificer.
2 Fire, however, or wind, or the swift air, the sphere of the stars,
impetuous water, heaven's lamps, are what they have held to be the gods
who govern the world.
3 If, charmed by their beauty, they have taken these for gods, let them
know how much the Master of these excels them, since he was the very
source of beauty that created them.
4 And if they have been impressed by their power and energy, let them
deduce from these how much mightier is he that has formed them,
5 since through the grandeur and beauty of the creatures we may, by
analogy, contemplate their Author.
6 Small blame, however, attaches to them, for perhaps they go astray
only in their search for God and their eagerness to find him;
7 familiar with his works, they investigate them and fall victim to
appearances, seeing so much beauty.
8 But even so, they have no excuse:
9 if they are capable of acquiring enough knowledge to be able to
investigate the world, how have they been so slow to find its Master?
[NJB translation]
Mike
--
Mike Davis
the irrational approach of (some) scientists and their unscientific
rejection of religion. (To avoid doubt, we do recognise that God as 'no
place' within scientific theory.)
I was delighted today to be reminded of a text (from the
deutero-canonical books) which cropped up in this morning's readings.
It's from the Book of Wisdom (sometimes called 'the Wisdom of Solomon' -
though it's much later than him!) written around 50BC. Christian readers
may wish to see that the personality of Wisdom is that of the Holy Spirit.
But this (Wisdom 13:1-9) deals with 'Scientism':-
1. Yes, naturally stupid are all who are unaware of God, and who, from
good things seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by
studying the works, have not recognised the Artificer.
2 Fire, however, or wind, or the swift air, the sphere of the stars,
impetuous water, heaven's lamps, are what they have held to be the gods
who govern the world.
3 If, charmed by their beauty, they have taken these for gods, let them
know how much the Master of these excels them, since he was the very
source of beauty that created them.
4 And if they have been impressed by their power and energy, let them
deduce from these how much mightier is he that has formed them,
5 since through the grandeur and beauty of the creatures we may, by
analogy, contemplate their Author.
6 Small blame, however, attaches to them, for perhaps they go astray
only in their search for God and their eagerness to find him;
7 familiar with his works, they investigate them and fall victim to
appearances, seeing so much beauty.
8 But even so, they have no excuse:
9 if they are capable of acquiring enough knowledge to be able to
investigate the world, how have they been so slow to find its Master?
[NJB translation]
Mike
--
Mike Davis
Kendall K. Down
Nov 12, 2021, 3:40:07 PM11/12/21
to
On 12/11/2021 16:35, Mike Davis wrote:
> I was delighted today to be reminded of a text (from the
> deutero-canonical books) which cropped up in this morning's readings.
> It's from the Book of Wisdom (sometimes called 'the Wisdom of Solomon' -
> though it's much later than him!) written around 50BC. Christian readers
> may wish to see that the personality of Wisdom is that of the Holy Spirit.
Very beautifully - and rightfully - put.
> I was delighted today to be reminded of a text (from the
> deutero-canonical books) which cropped up in this morning's readings.
> It's from the Book of Wisdom (sometimes called 'the Wisdom of Solomon' -
> though it's much later than him!) written around 50BC. Christian readers
> may wish to see that the personality of Wisdom is that of the Holy Spirit.
God bless,
Kendall K. Down
Timreason
Nov 12, 2021, 3:50:08 PM11/12/21
to
On 12/11/2021 16:35, Mike Davis wrote:
as presenter, where he virtually calls the stars 'gods'!
["The Sun: God Star]
He's always so keen to promote atheism, IMO.
Tim.
Jason
Nov 13, 2021, 3:22:47 PM11/13/21
to
these books.
Kendall K. Down
Nov 14, 2021, 2:30:07 AM11/14/21
to
On 12/11/2021 20:42, Timreason wrote:
> Thanks for that. I recently saw an episode of 'Universe' with Brian Cox
> as presenter, where he virtually calls the stars 'gods'!
> ["The Sun: God Star]
> He's always so keen to promote atheism, IMO.
Funny sort of atheism which is busy constructing gods!
> Thanks for that. I recently saw an episode of 'Universe' with Brian Cox
> as presenter, where he virtually calls the stars 'gods'!
> ["The Sun: God Star]
> He's always so keen to promote atheism, IMO.
Mind you, it does seem to me that many atheists are merely atheist with
regard to the Christian God. They will happily worship Hindu gods or Red
Indian gods or even - as above - gods of their own invention.
Timreason
Nov 14, 2021, 3:30:05 AM11/14/21
to
On 14/11/2021 07:20, Kendall K. Down wrote:
> On 12/11/2021 20:42, Timreason wrote:
>
>> Thanks for that. I recently saw an episode of 'Universe' with Brian
>> Cox as presenter, where he virtually calls the stars 'gods'!
>> ["The Sun: God Star]
>> He's always so keen to promote atheism, IMO.
>
> Funny sort of atheism which is busy constructing gods!
Indeed! But having seen the programme, it comes across as he is using
> On 12/11/2021 20:42, Timreason wrote:
>
>> Thanks for that. I recently saw an episode of 'Universe' with Brian
>> Cox as presenter, where he virtually calls the stars 'gods'!
>> ["The Sun: God Star]
>> He's always so keen to promote atheism, IMO.
>
> Funny sort of atheism which is busy constructing gods!
the term 'god' in a metaphoric sense, since he clearly believes that all
things came about by chemistry and 'natural forces'.
>
> Mind you, it does seem to me that many atheists are merely atheist with
> regard to the Christian God. They will happily worship Hindu gods or Red
> Indian gods or even - as above - gods of their own invention.
believe in God or gods in any form. But that would not prevent them
believing in pink unicorns or Santa Claus, luck or superstitions.
Tim.
Mike Davis
Nov 14, 2021, 5:50:07 AM11/14/21
to
On 14/11/2021 07:20, Kendall K. Down wrote:
knows him told me recently that he is reasonably 'open minded' on the
matter. :-(
Mike
--
Mike Davis
Timreason
Nov 14, 2021, 6:20:08 AM11/14/21
to
where) that he once referred to literal six-day Creationists as
"F***wits". Although I don't subscribe to literal six-day Creationism
myself, I nevertheless deem that term unnecessarily offensive.
Tim.
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