looking at the original greek:


That word is translated strife 4 times, contention 2 times, debate 2 times, variance 1 time. I think it would be fair to paraphrase it as a troll, or someone who causes strife or contention by their nature. Note that in the new testament there is quite a bit of respectful debate as they sorted things out. Jude 1:3 says to "contend earnestly for the faith". It all fits together neatly if you understand we can contend for something without having. a contentous nature.

Lol, it's easy for me to not do as I'm told, and not think at the same time.
Just ask my dear wife.

We have had many on here before by presenting evidence that supports one view or the other

Husky are u wanting to do this on public forum or though pm?

Mine doesn't have debate in it.

What came first? The chicken or the egg?

That probably can be said of most of us!

Nothing wrong with that. Gives everyone fair warning. Would be nice to include the week before as well.

I believe that sums it up.

What are we debating? Creation? Creation of what?

Too slow of a debate for me.

I am far more interested in dialogue than debate. Dialogue in a public internet forum is nearly impossible. It all becomes debates between groups who have their minds closed to everything except their own views (I have my own views, so I understand the temptation). Dialogue involves open minds and open hearts and usually some relational foundation. Arguing with near strangers on the internet seems pretty fruitless to me. At least, the fruit I see bursting forth isn't usually the fruit of the Spirit.

If you care to know my views on this subject and others, you're welcome to comb through my previous posts. Religious discussions tend to drag me out of the hole that I live in, and sometimes I feel like I might have a nugget of wisdom to offer, but I don't think I have much to add here that hasn't been said before.

And for what it's worth, elsmasho is right. The Bible is not just cruel; it's gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, disgusting, unfair, bloody, shocking, appalling, and extremely R-rated. Nothing would make me happier than to actually sit down and have an open dialogue about all of this with everyone, but that isn't going to happen here. All will turn to debate. I will restrain myself to saying only two things about it. First, the cruelty is an accurate depiction of the human condition. Take a look around; the world is messed up. Second, the culmination of the Bible's story is about a man who sought out the unclean and the outcasts, touched them, healed them, and ate meals with them.

But Danny, their undebatable, irrefutable proof is the words printed in their specific version of the one of a great many, versions of the Bible, correctly interpreted in their absolutely perfect personal interpretation. How can you refute that? You're obviously unenlightened and very wrong.

Keith

So when people say creation do they mean all of outer space too or just life here on earth or what?

I think Husky accomplished his purpose in the post.

Keith don't take him up on the challenge, the debate hasn't even started and your taking shots at the person instead of the topic. Never a position of strength in a debate.

Preferably thru public forum, but it seems my idea is t going to work. So I guess thru PM.

Creation of the universe.

As to the Biblical argument as to is a debate good or not: you need to read the context, Hebrew translation, and read a different version of the Bible. CoyoteCowboys looks like an ESV and it has it listed as strife. Debate, in my opinion is fine, arguing is not.

The existence of the Universe is definite proof in existence of a Creator. The nature of that Creator is something that no two people can exactly agree on.

Keith

Whats the purpose or goal of this debate
Why are you wanting it?