Subject:
[ChristianPatriot] Re: An intelligent Christian view on
the races
Date:
Wed, 13 Jun 2001 22:21:23 ‑0700
From:
"hengist" <[email protected]>
Reply‑To:
To:
Quirk pontificates:
The Bible doesn't mention race, let alone skin color. Not once.
Well now Quirk, enlightening you may well be an insurmountable task.
But, maybe we can kick start you.
The Bible doesn't mention race. Hmm, also you can search the Scripture
and not find 'helicopter', or 'psychology', or even 'ignoramus's! [Are you
feeling left out yet?]
The Bible, as you should realize, was translated into English in the 1500's!
'Race,' from the French 'rasse' didn't enter the English language until
the sixteenth century [1500's also]. The first occurrence is by the Elizabethan
poet Spenser. It wasn't in common usage yet. Same for helicopter, etc.
So it is necessary to determine which word, or words, then in use are
cognate with our modern usage of the word "race".
May I refer you to the Oxford Etymological Dictionary of the English
Language, Oxford Clarendon Press, 1997‑‑If you don't understand
"etymological"‑‑look it up.
On to the definitions:
"NATION, a race of people" p. 396
You may recall seeing the 'French race', the 'English race', etc.
We now know that 'nation' means 'race', what does it have to say
about the original meaning of 'race'?
"RACE (2), a lineage, family, breed" p. 495
Hmm, very distressing‑‑for Quirk. On to tribe!
"TRIBE, a race, family, kindred" p. 664
Fancy that! It seems the three words are virtually synonymous.
Also checked out the 1828 edition of Webster's and found it to be
in agreement with Oxford.
As a point of interest, check out the word 'people'.
"PEOPLE, a nation, the populace" p. 441
It should be apparent that in the usage of the day. Any, and
all, of these words, could have been, and WERE used to
convey the current concept of 'race'.
Therefore when in reading Scripture bear this in mind, and see
if some verses don't take on a new meaning for you.
Skin colour not mentioned? Note the following scriptures:
1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and
withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD
said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
1Sa 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David,
he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
So 5:10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.
La 4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they
were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
2Sa 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter,
whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
Of course in Elizabethan England 'fair' and 'ruddy' were cognate for BLOND.
[Ruddy also could apply to a red head, but then red headedness is considered
to be merely a variant of blondness.]
Our etymological dictionary says:
"BLOND, fair of complexion, blonde is a beautiful girl of light
complexion" p. 64
Not ONE instance you say! Well, I am not about to call you a liar.
So, that seems to establish you as a Bible illiterate.
And then there's 'Adam" [red], many say it means to 'show blood in the face',
ie. the ability to blush. Hence a white man.
Cheers for the nonce,
‑hengist
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
The government only has as much power as it's
citizens give it.
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of Service.