The Hall of Fire

No, that's a useful reminder of attribution being often after the fact. Still, the sense of the presence of the author in Revelation is much stronger: the author names himself (though which John he is, or whether he's using the name to gain authority, are open questions) in the first verse. Whoever...

The framing device of Job is unique in the OT so far as I know: a purported glimpse of the operation of the Heavenly Court, as it were. For that matter, the only place this sort of thing happens in the NT is in the Revelation of John. But even there the vision is clearly given to someone. In Job th...

It is indeed likely that the oldest part of Job is as old as the oldest part of Torah, older than Proverbs, where (as I noted) many of the conventional sentiments also show up. I would tentatively propose that's really hard to ascertain, considering that (Dead Sea scrolls notwithstanding), the olde...

In this regard, GBG is correct: we should have some sympathy for them. Either way they choose, they're sacrificing something. I agree as well. However, and I struggle with this myself, they need to be careful not to quote for truth things they are not absolutely certain about. Even now there are lo...

SirD, I believe our judgement is distorted by our being privy to God's thoughts. We have the advantage of the whole picture; the "wager" between God and his servant, Satan. Job's friends don't. All they have is the evidence of their eyes. Would a just God be so (apparently) unjust, to tort...

This thing about conventional wisdom is, it doesn't take context into account. The right behavior in one situation might be the complete opposite of the right behavior in another, but a pithy saying doesn't capture that. Yes I think (at least I have been lead to understand) we will see that even wh...

Couple points, though. The Hebrew text refers to HaSatan - THE Satan, implying job description rather than name. Also, like other Jewish versions of translations, it says that the accuser came among children of God, rather than with them. Without meaning to be "unnecessary" (SirDennins), ...

born into poverty no less. Just a minor point. Jesus was not "born into poverty." His father, Joseph, was a successful carpenter. The only reason he had to be born in a stable is (presumably) because Bethlehem was so crowded due the the census and Jospeh hadn't made reservations. There is...

As Alexander Pope wrote, "To err is human; to forgive is divine." I think this is important. As a card carrying atheist, it may be unwarranted of me to pass pronouncements on Christian actions, but I hope I am forgiven my impertinence... Pope was, I think, absolutely correct in his interpr...

Plato decried democracy, as he claimed it encouraged populism...

How on Earth did religion, in the 21st Century, become the make or break populist concept? Whatever happened to rationalism?

First and foremost, I am an atheist, so I have no preference between Latter-day Saints and Dianetic Auditing. I think they are both... dubious. However, both are recognised religions founded in the USA. Furthermore, they both have adherents who are immensely powerful. My initial question is.... why?...

Voronwë, please excuse the brevity of my response, as I don't have time to give your statements the detail they deserve at the moment. What I would like to state is that I am somewhat in agreement with you. It is not simply the analysis of the underlying mythos that I find "futile" (for wo...

Ghân, I'm still gathering my thoughts on this topic -- and hoping to gather up enough time to put them together -- so I ask for your patience. I do intend to respond substantively, as I think you have raised a very important subject. Thank you for giving it such substantive consideration, Voronwë. ...

Apologies for any poetic transgression, and I am aware this is rather silly, but it is mine own...

The tale of the porcelain elf

Was of confidence lacking in self

Tortured by doubt

She wouldn't go out

And ended up left on the shelf...

I like twee! I like silly but serious. I know that the Hobbit succeeds for children, because history tells me so. It really isn't LotR's poor relation. Scrape off the fanatic's need for congruence (and, yes, Prof T is guilty of that), and one is left with a simple tale that appeals. Bilbo is the per...

vison, I had the Hoobit read to me at school when I was 6 years old. Well, almost. It's quite a long book, so we were treated to a "this is what happened" finale. I do believe I cried when I was told Fili and Kili died, although the death of Thorin didn't really register. Make of that what...

Disclaimer: I hated Peter Jackson's conception of LotR, so my appraisal of the same's forthcoming Hobbit will verge on the dyspeptic. Martin freeman will be a great Bilbo. He would have been irrespective of director. In truth, he was my first, second and third choice. Great casting. However, Mr Jack...

Having recently been examining the myth of Prometheus, I noticed how contradictory certain parts of the tale were, depending on which source was referred to. For example, the Prometheus is famous for bringing fire to mankind, exposing himself to the wrath of Zeus. Yet there are conflicting accounts ...

:wave: to you too, V! It's very good to see you. :) Frelga, I don't think that children's books can't have literary value. But I also don't think they should be expected to, or treated as though they were intended to. So I don't think the Harry Potter books really deserve to be critiqued on a liter...

Yes, I think I like your story more.