conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

Great choices for summer reading! And if you want to scale back your payments to the Pusher Man, for things like "Ilium" I have two words for you: Library Card. :)

Re persuasion and the example of how Jesus is reported to have taught -- he knew his audience, didn't he? They had not the faintest hint of the scientific method, and they were a people accustomed to being governed by proclamation with no responsibility to analyze what they were told to do, only to execute it without question.

Do you know your audience as well as Jesus did?

Sly apparently thinks the bookcase tastes good. ;-) Megan, Interesting point about Jesus knowing his audience. But since the Rabbinic tradition of midrash and arguing and dispute had already begun at this time within Israelite and Jewish faith, while I agree that the scientific method as we understand it (or methods) was not shared by 1st Century inhabitants of Palestine, I am not certain that your sense that they were simply to execute what they were told without question is entirely accurate. Also, the scientific method is not the only means to analyze and question and ascertain truth, even in our cultural context.

Don't you have a good used book store there?

Tripp, you crack me up. Loved the comment on bookstores/drug dealers.

Thanks for the summer reading list... good choices. I, too, have never read Treasure Island... and I'm sure a number of folks I know would be interested in Dugout Wisdom...good gift idea.

Monday videos are fun to watch... especially the eyebrow movement. Persuading? Interesting! I'll have to think about that...

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Nancy

A further thought, Tripp -- you're preaching to a bunch of people steeped in democracy, an idea that had no influence at all over the ancient Hebrews.

A question, Megan...Does "proclamation" equal "dictate" in your mind?

No, there's a subtle difference.

"Proclaim" does not direct the listener to action. A proclamation says "This is the Way It Is, no argument."

"Dictate" says "You must do what I say!"

Hmm...

Okay. Thanks. Still mulling over this, but I find that a proclamation can move people to action if what one proclaims is somehow motivating.

That may be the case, but the difference I'm pointing out is that "Dictation" DEMANDS action. That is the nature of "Dictation," but not of "Proclamation."

Really, *anything* can move people to action. As Ani said, every tool is a weapon if you hold it right.