Comments on: John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas on Astronomy http://blog.solagratia.org/2005/12/21/john-calvin-and-thomas-aquinas-on-astronomy/ Dealing with issues in reformed theology. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:32:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: CJD http://blog.solagratia.org/2005/12/21/john-calvin-and-thomas-aquinas-on-astronomy/#comment-212 CJD Thu, 02 Feb 2006 14:31:25 +0000 http://blog.solagratia.org/?p=55#comment-212 Since you've upped the anty a bit, a response is needed. You might conceive of me saying, "Insofar as Holy Writ describes things in cosmological matters, then it is wrong." I do not suggest this, because I do not suggest that the individual writers and editors of the canon attempted to write beyond the merely phenomenological (as was common among the ancients). If they did, then I would be forced to admit their error. To demand otherwise reduces Holy Writ to a collection of propositions to be believed as well as the mode of inspiration to dictation (leaving the author ignorant of what he was writing). In parting, consider the following: "The bishops all have sworn to shed their blood to prove it's true the hare chews the cud. Oh bishops, doctors, divines, beware — weak is the faith that hangs on a hare." — Anon. Since you’ve upped the anty a bit, a response is needed. You might conceive of me saying, “Insofar as Holy Writ describes things in cosmological matters, then it is wrong.” I do not suggest this, because I do not suggest that the individual writers and editors of the canon attempted to write beyond the merely phenomenological (as was common among the ancients). If they did, then I would be forced to admit their error. To demand otherwise reduces Holy Writ to a collection of propositions to be believed as well as the mode of inspiration to dictation (leaving the author ignorant of what he was writing). In parting, consider the following:

“The bishops all have sworn to shed their blood
to prove it’s true the hare chews the cud.
Oh bishops, doctors, divines, beware —
weak is the faith that hangs on a hare.”

— Anon.

]]> By: Christaan http://blog.solagratia.org/2005/12/21/john-calvin-and-thomas-aquinas-on-astronomy/#comment-125 Christaan Mon, 26 Dec 2005 10:02:55 +0000 http://blog.solagratia.org/?p=55#comment-125 <I>What’s the fear? That our beloved doctors thought different than we? That Moses was just plain ignorant of cosmological matters?</I> I always find it interesting to hear Holy Writ referred to in such a way. I.e. when people refer to Moses saying this or being something like 'ignorant' (the same things are usually seen regarding Paul). It is Holy Writ. The Word of God. In other words: the state of Moses' understanding about anything, or ignorance of some thing or another, means nothing. Holy Writ is not, was not, limited by Moses' little brain and education and understanding. These are obvious statements, but they seem to need to be said often. What’s the fear? That our beloved doctors thought different than we? That Moses was just plain ignorant of cosmological matters?

I always find it interesting to hear Holy Writ referred to in such a way. I.e. when people refer to Moses saying this or being something like ‘ignorant’ (the same things are usually seen regarding Paul). It is Holy Writ. The Word of God. In other words: the state of Moses’ understanding about anything, or ignorance of some thing or another, means nothing. Holy Writ is not, was not, limited by Moses’ little brain and education and understanding. These are obvious statements, but they seem to need to be said often.

]]> By: CJD http://blog.solagratia.org/2005/12/21/john-calvin-and-thomas-aquinas-on-astronomy/#comment-91 CJD Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:02:47 +0000 http://blog.solagratia.org/?p=55#comment-91 Indeed. I remember in seminary that Calvin was employed to promote the 'complimentary' position between science and scripture (by a framework theorist, of which I am one). But I see no need to treat them anachronistically. What's the fear? That our beloved doctors thought different than we? That Moses was just plain ignorant of cosmological matters? Thanks for opening this can of worms. Indeed. I remember in seminary that Calvin was employed to promote the ‘complimentary’ position between science and scripture (by a framework theorist, of which I am one). But I see no need to treat them anachronistically. What’s the fear? That our beloved doctors thought different than we? That Moses was just plain ignorant of cosmological matters?

Thanks for opening this can of worms.

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