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In die Skriflig

On-line version ISSN 2305-0853
Print version ISSN 1018-6441

In Skriflig (Online) vol.43 n.4 Pretoria Jan. 2009

 

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Philosophical theories of truth and the logical status of intra-Biblical fallacies of contextomy

 

Waarheidsteorieë in die filosofie en die logiese status van intra-Bybelse kontekstonomie

 

 

J.W. Gericke

Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, VANDERBIJLPARK. E-mail: jaco.gericke@nwu.ac.za

 

 


ABSTRACT

The relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament is a major problem in the discipline of Biblical theology. From a historical perspective the ways in which some New Testament authors have justified their truth-claims by appealing to the Old Testament clearly involve the fallacy of contextomy. A good example of this is the interpretation of texts from the Psalter in the letter to the Hebrews. As a result, the question of logical status arises, i.e., Is it true? With this article the author hopes to contribute to the ongoing discussion by suggesting that, given so many incommensurable philosophical theories on the nature of truth, a more nuanced manner of speaking may be in order. Whether and in what sense the text will be seen as "true" ultimately depends on what we mean when we affirm or deny that something is true in the first place.


OPSOMMING

Die verhouding tussen die Ou en Nuwe Testamente word tradisioneel beskou as 'n fundamentele probleem in die Bybelse teologie. Vanuit 'n historiese perspektief blyk dit dat party Bybelse outeurs se waarheidsaansprake geregverdig word by wyse van kontekstomieë. 'n Goeie voorbeeld hiervan is die interpretasie van tekste uit die Psalms in die brief aan die Hebreërs. Gevolglik ontstaan 'n vraag na logiese status, met ander woorde, Is dit waar? Met hierdie artikel hoop die outeur om 'n bydra te lewer tot die voortgaande bespreking deur voor te stel dat, gegewe die magdom onversoenbare filosofiese teorieë oor die aard van waarheid, dit dalk nodig mag wees om in gesprekke oor die onderwerp meer genuanseerd met die waarheidsbegrip om te gaan. Op welke wyse die teks as "waar" beskou kan word, sal uiteindelik afhanklik wees van wat ons bedoel indien ons beweer of ontken dat iets in die eerste plek waar is.


 

 

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