> >eh, speaking as someone who has studied a bit of theology and looked at the >textual issues surrounding the Christian Scriptures, you've represented just >one viable position among many in your post below. The people who have >adopted that position flatter themselves with the title "The Only Really >Objective Bible Scholars," but I've sat thru their classes and know better >than to believe that... > >;) > >Jim Sheesh! I have to say, I'm incredibly impressed (since I know that was the reaction you were going for...:)). I do admit that my historical knowledge of the Bible is extremely amateur, not to mention biased by bitterness from the first eightteen years of my life... Even if I felt slightly qualified to respond to what you wrote, I wouldn't know where to begin. I have done a small bit of freelance bible research in my local public library, and that's my font of knowledge. On the other hand, I was trained from the day I was born in the actual contexts of the scriptures themselves, and have found that the Gospels not only dissent on certain facts, but in fact repeatedly impugn extremely important aspects.... Anyway, I don't want to clog bananafish with my Goliath ego versus your David of knowledge, so I just say thanks. Next time I'll make sure there aren't any truly knowledgeable folks about before I spout off on my limited research. the slightly less reverend Brendan ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com