Hebrew Block Logic

[Progo35]

I want to talk more about this later but don't have time right now. Anyone who has studied this interested in chatting about it?

[Steven E. Webster]

Friend,

I had to google the term "Hebrew block logic."

I am familiar with the idea that Hebrew logic reflected in the old and new testaments is quite different from Western (or "Greek") logic that we are familiar with.

In Hebrew "logic" there may be many things that we don't consider logical at all.

I thought this was well-illustrated in the opening of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof." I don't recall the full dialogue, but the character, Tevyeh listens to a dispute among rabinical students. Student A makes a statement, and Tevyeh says, "You are right!" Student B makes a contradictory statement and Tevyeh says "YOU are right!" Student C says, "But they can't both be right!" and Tevyeh says, "You ALSO are right!"

I think also of some of the classic Jewish writings where a multiplicity of views are presented from numerous rabbis addressing the same subject, but contradicting one another.

Does this relate to the fact that some parts of our scriptures tell the same stories, but seem to contradict one another? Or the fact that we ended up with four different gospels that contradict one another at different points?

I'm not sure I grasp what is being said about "Hebrew block logic," except that it admits of many viewpoints that seem to us to be "contradictory" all being simultaneously "true."

What can Christians learn from this??? Maybe we should relax and not insist that our view of Scripture is the one, true viewpoint--that many differing viewpoints can all be "true" at the same time.

Maybe you can tell us what you think "Hebrew block logic" means?

Steven Webster

[Progo35]

Okay, now that i have my head on straight again this morning, I can talk about what I mean...

We learned about Hebrew block logic in Old Testament Literature, History and Theology at Gordon. The prof said that Hebrew block logic holds that several contradictory things can be true at the same time, thus, the linear nature of Western (Greek and Roman) logic contradicts much of what the Bible says. For instance, God sent the rainbow after the Great Flood and then said that he would never destroy the world again. Some people feel that the events described in Revelation, when taken literally, contradict this. According to Hebrew block logic, these two statements are connected to one another in blocks, next to each other, so that they both relate to a single truth but show two different episodes exemplifying how that truth is being executed by God. According to the prof, this is one reason why it is difficult for people in Western society to accept Biblical truth. It is more related to the kind of logic one would find in ancient middle eastern/eastern philosophy/religion, which is where Christianity came from.

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by Progo35

Okay, now that i have my head on straight again this morning, I can talk about what I mean...

We learned about Hebrew block logic in Old Testament Literature, History and Theology at Gordon. The prof said that Hebrew block logic holds that several contradictory things can be true at the same time, thus, the linear nature of Western (Greek and Roman) logic contradicts much of what the Bible says. For instance, God sent the rainbow after the Great Flood and then said that he would never destroy the world again. Some people feel that the events described in Revelation, when taken literally, contradict this. According to Hebrew block logic, these two statements are connected to one another in blocks, next to each other, so that they both relate to a single truth but show two different episodes exemplifying how that truth is being executed by God. According to the prof, this is one reason why it is difficult for people in Western society to accept Biblical truth. It is more related to the kind of logic one would find in ancient middle eastern/eastern philosophy/religion, which is where Christianity came from.

The concept of "Block Logic", while being understood as a minor literary POETIC device for a long time, has been resurrected by Martin(?) Wilson as a very conservative response to the various ways of reading scripture critically. In short, when I read Wilson's work, I got the distinct impression that only very conservative or fundamentalist Christians can follow Hebrew Block Logic, and that all others were stuck in erroneous western thought patterns. His theory breaks down, however, when he ultimately uses the New Testament gospels, Paul's writings and Revelation to prove his points. These were largely written in the patterns of Greek literature and broke substantially away from the pattern of Hebrew literary, and therefore logical, flow.

He ultimately uses his own theory to prove his larger hypothesis, as if his theory was an absolute certainty. His work demonstrates the innanity of using flawed logical arguments, and then claims that this logically proves that the Old Testament conforms to his claimed pattern of historical certainty. Smoke and mirrors. I threw away the book, and I do that very rarely.

[Progo35]

Andrew, that's so interesting-Marv Wilson is one of the Bible Profs at Gordon college! So, it's neat to know that he is known outside of the community. I didn't think that the block logic argument was flawed because it was based on close examination of the Hebrew scriptures, and MW did help translate the NIV version of the Bible...but, to be honest, I haven't read that much about it and I would need to investigate it further. But, I do think that it warrants further study and that it is plausible in the context of the New Testament's Jewish roots.

[Pablo Rafael]

Progo,

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I have been reading Genesis and Exodus and looking at comments in my Jewish commentary. I have been trying to sort out all the seeming discrepancies in those writings. (Since I believe that God's Word is inerrant and inspired, I knew there had to be something wrong with my approach to the texts.) I had never hear the term "Hebrew Block Logic" before, but the idea certainly clarifies issues. Looking at the Old Testament from the linear/Greek perspective makes it seem full of contradictions and redundancies. This helps me focus away from the "what happened?" to "what point does God want me to get from this?" type of thinking.

Also Steven and Andy I am thankful for the knowledge and insight you bring to these forums.

(Did I just say something nice about Andy? Brent is right, I've got to stop smoking some of those things I've been smoking.)


Tu Amigo, Pablo

[Progo35]

Hey, Pablo,
I'm glad that helped clarify some things. It's done that for me, too. I'm there with you on Steve and Andy...although I don't think I've been smoking anything...