The wolf thing doesn't make me apprehensive; I just sense that you can only accept a valid view as one that someone is willing to street-brawl over or participate in a cage match to the death about. I'm more concerned that someone actually thoroughly understands whatever I'm presenting without misrepresenting it or just not "getting it". At some point, I just leave it alone. It would seem you perceive that as weakness of some kind, when it's merely a recognition of futility.
Anyway... I consider this topic to be divided into Higher Criticism and Lower Criticism. Lower Criticism is information-seeking, and is more about general textual criticism and various interpretational differences, etc. Higher Criticism is proof-challenging, and is more about skepticism or outright refutation of authenticity and/or integrity.
Having explored this copiously for myself, I generally don't engage in Higher Criticism discourse. Especially so in this case because of our difference regarding original language texts. I think John's link will suffice to get you to a majority position. I also think it's a vital portion of personal faith.
In the end, if scripture isn't trustworthy as the written record of God's Divine Expression, there's not much faith in any profession regarding it; which is a salvific concern.
Well as it states in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things hold fast to that which is good
So if the bible ain't up to
any kind of criticism with these words printed in it then it's not worth revereing is it!
I'm not a cage match kinda guy, good at it perhaps, but not my style contrary your assessment of me or my words, if the proofs in the puddin' Show it.
From what I read Jesus could thwart any verbal attack made on him so if you are his follower then it shouldn't be a problem defending the faith in him should it?
Problem I see is that their are many on here who would consider the Muslims brothers (I don't have a problem with this but if the teachings are correct then these are all doomed for lack of faith in Jesus Christ.
If they are correct in their doctrine that Jesus was a great prophet perhaps the greatest (and they do acknowledge him as the son of God) Then the Christian faith is wrong in their belief in him as the messiah. Seeing that the jews and the Muslims share this belief together and seeing that their obvious argument of Authorship is at the core of their argument whether it be Muslim or Jew and seeing the debates for myself it has left me somewhat speechless as to how to defend myself in my faith in Christ as the messiah!
My question is this if Christian belief is the only correct one and with the perpetual interdenominational skirmishes with in Christianity that many devout Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox Christians calling their faith the one true faith it leaves a very unbelievable faith to believe in when their own kind can't even agree on what's right and wrong within their own faith!
After watching the Swaggart/Deedat debate on authorship I am left perplexed by many many points brought up by Deedat which I am sure have been brought up before in other debates throughout history by even those within the faith and I am looking for a strong counter for these arguments.
If their is one thing I cannot stand it's being in a debate and being proved wrong especially when I am firmly grounded in my belief! So I need ammo from a Christian perspective to debunk any Muslim I may debate with in the future.
Lets face it if Swaggart can't hold his own on Stage with a Muslim cleric from South Africa then what chance do I have against one?
