The Pastoral Epistles & the academic consensus

#maklelan2195

[Ishco]

My friend is a Paleontologist. He once told me that anytime someone tells him they don't believe in evolution, he tells them, "My entire job is to disprove Darwin; every biological scientist's job is to disprove Darwin. If I could find anything, I'd be getting my Noble Prize right now."

[BrianPurcell]

I appreciate the clarification that Academic Consensus doesn't necessarily means True. It just means it's the most convincing argument to the most scholars which can change with better data or better arguments. You've helped me to appreciate giving respect to the hard work of academic consensus without needing to blindly trust them on everything. I can have my own opinion based on how I see the data, but I should be humble and know I might be wrong and willing to change my mind.

[JoseBoesch]

The unscholarly consensus is what scares me.

[jamiegallier]

Appreciate the scholarship and integrity.❤

[BabyHoolighan]

My English 101 thesis was on I and II Timothy, primarially because of Flannery O'Connor's short story, "A Good Man Is Hard To Find." O'Connor was a devout Catholic but I always got the impression she questioned the authorship without directly addressing the issue through oblique references in her fiction. When I approached my advisor about addressing the issue the answer was, "You do not want to do that." So I didn't.

[Waxican]

Shoutout to Mike Licona. He was willing to challenge the idea that the rising of the saints at the end of Matthew was historical and he got fired for it. We might disagree on the fundamental truth of Christianity but he’s a real one for being willingly to stand for the truth and not be intimidated by his institution.

Isn’t it ironic that the apologists say the secular scholars have a bias, and yet this is how they treat one of their own.

[robsaxepga]

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your content, Dan. My background is non religious although my father's side is heavily Mormon. I mean heavily. I was never indoctrinated. My journey began when a believer told me the earth was 6000 years old and that prophecies were in the OT confirming Jesus. I got interested in critical scholarship as a self defense strategy. Come to find out I find it fascinating. Your content helps confirm what I've studied over the years and further educate me so thank you. 👍🏻

[lucasolson]

I don't think people quite realize the impact that Dan has had on the world of Biblical Study in the past few years. This may have started out small, but Dan's demand for treating the source materials correctly and being textually consistent is MILES ahead of the evangelical crowd.

[dennisquaidsleg]

Keep sharing the data over dogma Dan! Regardless of bias on either side of the spectrum. We all appreciate you!

[DavidEdelsohn]

Great clarification from Dan about how the term "academic consensus" should be understood. And his comments about academic freedom and ternure. Dan should have balanced his response by also mentioning academic grants, editorial boards, tenure committees, reviewers: despite "Data > Dogma", if one wants to succeed in academia, one needs to know that questioning some "academic consensus" are more detrimental to one's career than others.

[GoodieWhiteHat]

Consensus is hard fought for ground and as solid and reliable as we can get because of how challenged it is. I think sometimes certain things that are in the consensus may become like dogma and hard to shift in the light of new evidence but it does eventually shift. The agreement between all scholars of any discipline has to be data over dogma without fear or favour.

[perrywilliams]

Dr Dan, I really appreciate you clarifying what the "scholarly consensus view" means within the field and to lay people such as myself. I don't think most non-academics understand that the vast majority of the work done by scholars is done for three reasons: to address areas of academic controversary, to clarify or rebut previously published works, or to challenge the existing orthodoxy. Most scholars do not publish for the sake of publishing, rather they publish to refine or enrich the corpus of work in their academic specialty.

[davidallison]

This was very helpful. I have an understanding of how Dan is using the term ‘academic consensus’ which frustrated me as I listen to Dan’s thoughts and comments in the past. I was thinking Dan was telling us that his view was the correct view on difficult topics and questions. Dan has a view and always offers good support for his views. In this video he makes it clear that there is a ranch of views by smart people related to Biblical understanding and interpretation. I would add to the range of opinions on Biblical issues the value of reading brilliant scholars and their writings over the last 1500 years to make informed decisions on Biblical interpretation.

[hughb]

It was debating "Apologists" that helped in my deconversion from Christianity (Josh McDowell - James White - Dave Hunt) I have a strong bias against the apologetics ilk, I don't see men of honor, integrity or truth, just lies. I have a far better view of scholarship though, and Dan is the best I've come across.

[BramptonAnglican]

I wish we had mores scholars like Dan.

[-better-research]

You should have published this video last year. And I've watched all your videos since your channel inception in early 2022.

[manuelbaez]

and i appreciate you doing that so much dear brother

[ashtonsnelgrove]

I think it would be fascinating for you to do a video going over some topics that have two or more plausible theories that dont have complete consensus. It would also be interesting to go over a topic where the academic consensus changed, and what led up to that. I know how the sausage is made in my academic discipline, but im curious how it goes in biblical studies.

[learnarabicforbeginners]

Peace and blessings on you. How can I get the original Hebrew Torah? Can it be a textbook for me to study Hebrew. I am from Arabia and I need to study Hebrew because it is most needed for translation purposes. I translate religious texts and videos for a living

[MusicalRaichu]

I hope people hear and understand this.