The major source for scriptural text and notes throughout is the New Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, cited as NOAB (n = notes). Abbreviations of scripture texts follow those in NOAB.
Throckmorton's work has been a very helpful reference in tracking Jesus' sayings in the three synoptic gospels. For example, Jesus' summary of the law is also found in Mk 12:29-31 and Lk 10:27-28. Since Jesus is quoting Dt 6:5 and Lev 19:18, his "orthodox" critics had little basis for dissent, and "after that, no one dared to ask him any question" (Mk 12:34). [See also the introduction to: Treasure: Words of Jesus as Modern Poetry.]
My discussion of "knowledge" in religion is very truncated. Kellenberger classifies the historical perspectives or theories of the place of knowledge in religion, two of which are starkly opposed: (1) religious truth is "beyond knowledge" (e.g. Pseudo-Dionysius); versus (2) God's existence can be proven and known through scientia -- knowledge (e.g. Aquinas). To this, Kellenberger adds the "third perspective" which can bridge the two positions. He refers to the psalmist who knows the divine through "discovery". His definition of the third perspective is very close to point of view taken here.
William of Ockham (c.1286-1349) was one of the clerics who contributed significantly to scientific inquiry. He was an English Fransciscan, but his open mind led him into conflict with his clerical superiors. Locally, he was accused of heresy and confined to quarters, then later examined on the orders of (but never condemned by) Pope John XXII. Encyclopedia Britannica (14th Edition) states that the famous "razor" which bears his name was not original with him.
In cataloging worldviews, I have followed the presentation in Living Ethics: The Way of Wholeness, and in the paper cited below.
After the writing of this essay, it was announced that the Hubble space telescope's mirror does not focus properly, and its performance will fall far short of expectations. It had not been tested for focus prior to its launch. However, I have left the reference for two reasons: (1) the problem is said to be correctable eventually, and (2) it provides a perfect example of the problems of launching without testing! I hope that the focus of this attempt to reconcile religious and scientific knowledge will prove sufficiently sharp, and be validated by the reader's own test of experience.
An Additional Note (Scr.2000): The successfully repaired Hubble has performed well, adding immensely to our knowledge of cosmos. Its findings have revised somewhat the age of the cosmos downward, as will be noted in Chapter Three.
References
Bessinger, C. D. Jr. "Doctoring: The Philosophic Milieu". Southern Medical Journal, 1988 (Dec); 81: 1558-1562.
Kellenberger, J. The Cognitivity of Religion: Three Perspectives. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985.
New Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Throckmorton, Burton H., Jr. Gospel Parallels: A Synopsis of the First Three Gospels (Fourth Edition). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1979.
[ Return to Chapter One ] , [ Glossary ]
[ Exhibit 1. Myth as truth ]
[ Exhibit 2. Classification of worldviews ]
[ Contents: Religion Confronting Science ] , [TOP]
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