A blog by Tom Sheepandgoats (aka Tom Harley)
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Science Takes a Hit in Pandemic’s Aftermath
Nobody’s trying to diss vaccines here—honest, I’m not. I’m just trying to write a commentary on evolution—to what extent (if any) can it be reconciled with Genesis? Why should vaccines thrust themselves into the middle of the discussion? No reason at all, that I can see. Except that Sean Carroll, author of ‘The Making of the Fittest,’ does just that. Many times I’ve mentioned this…
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Sarah Walks with God: Genesis 20
Sarah Walks Courageously with God Sarah was the noted figure last night in Courageously Walking With God. Leaving her home and all in Ur, a comfortable life, to follow her husband and traipse all over on camels. The contrast was drawn with Lot’s wife, who wasn’t about to give up the good life, who looked behind as her family was fleeing Sodom, and who subsequently…
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What is the Burden of Jehovah? (Jeremiah 23:33)
What is ‘the Burden of Jehovah?’ (Jeremiah 23:33) Burden of Jehovah? “And when this people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of Jehovah?’” (Jeremiah 23:33) Huh? What is being spoken of? There is a play on words here towards a people who are anything but respectful toward the prophet. The Hebrew word massa has a double meaning. It can…
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Anecdotal Evidence and Science
What to do with Eyewitnesses In May of 2020, no hope was held out for victims of Covid-19. The “warp speed” development of a vaccine had not yet landed. Sufferers were advised bedrest and fluids at home. They were only to enter the hospital if they were almost dead (which in many cases would finish off the job for them), President Trump then described a…
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Exposing an Inordinate Trust in Science
In the days of ‘Me Too’ a common endorsement of anyone leveling an accusation was ‘Why would she lie?’ I’m almost at that point now with conspiracy theories, so many of them have turned out true. I’m almost at the point (but not quite) of saying that the burden of proof should be upon those denying them, not those asserting them, so awry has gone…
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Qualifications and the New World Translation
What were the qualifications of the men who translated the NWT into English? It’s a common query from those who don’t care for Jehovah’s Witnesses, hoping to embarrass. Just who are these translators, anyway? Do they have letters trailing their name? Do they really know any language besides Pig Latin? Perhaps the Witnesses will admit that they didn’t really use translators at all, but hired…
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An Equal and Opposite Expert
Arthur C. Clarke is the wit who coined the expression, “For every expert there exists an equal and opposite expert.” He may have thought he was arranging a meeting of the two when he introduced Carl Sagan to Stanley Kubrick. They were both experts, and if their respective areas of expertise, science and filmmaking, are not exactly opposites, they will do for the purposes of…
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The Accusations of 2 Corinthians 7:2
You can see the same accusations of today at 2 Corinthians 7:2 “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.” Why would the apostle Paul say this other than to counter accusations that they had? The C-word is the latest twist in a narrative that has always been. It was the case when Paul visited Rome…
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The Potter Molds the Clay—Jeremiah 18
(see Part 1) Though the world contain scoundrels a’plenty, though even in the congregation ones are not immune to falling away, the apostle says, “But in your case, beloved ones, we are convinced of better things, things related to salvation, even though we are speaking in this way.” (Hebrews 6:9) Yes. Of course. The potter molds the clay and you hope for the best. It…
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Committing the Sin of Eisegesis—Reading Today into Yesterday
The preamble is clear. God says to his people: “Turn back, please, from your bad ways, and reform your ways and your practices.” “But they said: “It is hopeless! For we will walk after our own thoughts, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his wicked heart.” (Jeremiah 18:12) It’s a tricky verse, for it seems to indicate inner conflict. As…