Thank you. I deeply appreciate the perspective. I've been trying to find the right words for this, and I love the learning from the painting of the "Wanderer" that you shared. Thank you for that. I've often pictured this second estate as if we are all living underwater, and perhaps prophets are trying to help us see above the surface. This painting (for me) captures roughly the same concept, and it's also beautiful.
I often feel like we (and I definitely include myself) tend to proof-text scripture, focusing on specific wording when it supports our positions. But when the words don't fit my own bias or interpretation, I find myself wanting to explain it away by saying the prophet couldn't find the right words. I notice this most when I read scriptures about punishment or vengeance ("vengeance is mine"). But then, with passages like "love your enemies," I'm tempted to assume those are the exact words of God. The right answer is probably somewhere in between, with layers of context to consider. I find myself wondering how to avoid getting trapped in a mode where I'm focusing on specific text when I should be seeing conceptually, and vice versa. And, perhaps even more importantly, how do I best help others appreciate both the textual and conceptual approaches, without undermining their view of the role of a prophet?
Tyler, This was a moving statement about divine perspectivalism. For the Gods to see more, they need to have different perspectives. Looking at the Earth from the moon is truly awesome, but looking at trillions of galaxies is more awesome (I don't know about looking at Higgs Bosons), and looking into the eyes of your love is even more awesome. We need to see less to see more often. Thus sociality is the preferred divine condition (among Kolobians) that thrives on sharing different views/feelings/thoughts/experiences of sublimity, beauty, purposes and means, and contesting the highest and best with mutually persuasive delight (not envy). Thanks for this article. Randall
Thank you. I deeply appreciate the perspective. I've been trying to find the right words for this, and I love the learning from the painting of the "Wanderer" that you shared. Thank you for that. I've often pictured this second estate as if we are all living underwater, and perhaps prophets are trying to help us see above the surface. This painting (for me) captures roughly the same concept, and it's also beautiful.
I often feel like we (and I definitely include myself) tend to proof-text scripture, focusing on specific wording when it supports our positions. But when the words don't fit my own bias or interpretation, I find myself wanting to explain it away by saying the prophet couldn't find the right words. I notice this most when I read scriptures about punishment or vengeance ("vengeance is mine"). But then, with passages like "love your enemies," I'm tempted to assume those are the exact words of God. The right answer is probably somewhere in between, with layers of context to consider. I find myself wondering how to avoid getting trapped in a mode where I'm focusing on specific text when I should be seeing conceptually, and vice versa. And, perhaps even more importantly, how do I best help others appreciate both the textual and conceptual approaches, without undermining their view of the role of a prophet?
Tyler, This was a moving statement about divine perspectivalism. For the Gods to see more, they need to have different perspectives. Looking at the Earth from the moon is truly awesome, but looking at trillions of galaxies is more awesome (I don't know about looking at Higgs Bosons), and looking into the eyes of your love is even more awesome. We need to see less to see more often. Thus sociality is the preferred divine condition (among Kolobians) that thrives on sharing different views/feelings/thoughts/experiences of sublimity, beauty, purposes and means, and contesting the highest and best with mutually persuasive delight (not envy). Thanks for this article. Randall