[July 2006 journal entry]
Eliphaz first turns thinking or remembering (implicitly in 4:7, explicitly in 4:8) toward observing human experience. Does/can the ‘religious’ T/O paradigm tolerate doing so if the observing is indiscriminate rather than selective? disturbing rather than supportive? No. Instead, observing human experience is done through the filter/lens of the ‘religious’ T/O paradigm, resulting in explanations of what is observed that do not threaten the paradigm. Eliphaz then shifts to the insulation of a dream (4:12ff)! When in doubt, switch to special revelation claims.
Eliphaz first turns thinking or remembering (implicitly in 4:7, explicitly in 4:8) toward observing human experience. Does/can the ‘religious’ T/O paradigm tolerate doing so if the observing is indiscriminate rather than selective? disturbing rather than supportive? No. Instead, observing human experience is done through the filter/lens of the ‘religious’ T/O paradigm, resulting in explanations of what is observed that do not threaten the paradigm. Eliphaz then shifts to the insulation of a dream (4:12ff)! When in doubt, switch to special revelation claims.