Subject: Re: Liberals vs conservatives
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 7:42:50 +0800
From: Nigel Mitchell
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian,nz.soc.religion
On Thu, 11 Nov 1999 1:41:27 +0800, Graeme Hunt wrote (in message < >):
> You are not very perceptive Nigel. I have plenty to say and could tell
> you the details about the Nephalim, the beni-ha-Elohim, in great
> deatil, but why should I tell someone who only scoffs at God’s
> infallible Word? 

As I have told you in the past, Graeme, I do 
not scoff at the scriptures. I read, study, 
preach and teach from them daily, and rely on 
them as the principle source of information 
for my faith and my hope of eternal salvation.

I _do_ scoff at your way of interpreting the 
Bible, because it is without logical or factual 
basis, contrary to almost all academic 
scholarship, and places harsh and unneccesary 
burdens on the faithful.

Every time you (and others who have said the 
same thing to me in the past) accuse me of 
“scoffing at God’s word”, I 
cannot help but wondering. Do you know that 
“God’s word” and “Graeme’s 
opinions” are different things? I can 
tell the difference, even if you cannot, and 
although I do certainly reject, and sometimes 
scoff at, many of your opinions, I do not, 
and will not reject God or his Word. I wonder 
if you are able to give some indication that 
you are aware of the difference.

As to the Nephilim, since you will not provide 
any information I will happily fill the gap.

The word “Nephilim” is translated 
“Giants” in the KJV, although Hebrew 
usually uses a different word. These legendary 
men/beasts are mentioned only in Genesis 6:1-4 
and Numbers 13:33. According to the Interpreters 
Dictionary of the Bible (published by Abingdon, 
a very conservative publishing house, 
especially back in 1974), Genesis 6:1-4 is part 
of a much longer story which has been trimmed 
back by various editors of the Scriptures who 
found it’s mythological nature 
objectionable. The story has nothing to do with 
Noah’s flood, although various attempts have 
been made to make it into some sort of 
introduction or justification (perhaps you will 
favour us with one such attempt, Graeme), but it 
seems most likely that Genesis 6:1-4 is a fragment 
of an ancient Hebrew myth/legend.

_If_ we are to read Genesis 6:1-4 as an historical 
account, that would beg the folowing questions:
Can we infer from Verse 1 that the birth of 
daughters was the beginning of the downfall of 
humanity into sin and degradation?  Who were the 
“Sons of God”, and why did they 
rape/seduce the daughters of men? (verse 2)
What does verse 3 have to do with the story, and 
why doesn’t everyone live to be 120?

These questions may look frivolous and pointless, 
and I freely admit that they are, but anyone who 
wants to try and argue that Genesis 6:1-4 records 
historical events should be able to answer them.

cheers
N+