TIP OF THE DAY 74: Are all Biblical statements factual

MJ. Smith
MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,405
in English Forum

I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day ; Here I am testing the use of comments to expand the length of the post.

QUESTION: Are all Biblical sentences factual?

ANSWER: No, some Bible sentences are the speech of demons, arguments between followers of Yahweh vs. followers of other gods, questions, poetic descriptions … A typical definition of a factual sentence is something like this drawn from Perplexity (lightly modified).

A factual sentence is a statement that conveys information considered to be true based on objective evidence, established knowledge, or accepted beliefs within a specific framework of understanding. These sentences describe events, conditions, or truths about the world that are accepted as real within their respective contexts, which can include scientific, historical, cultural, or religious domains.

Characteristics of Factual Sentences:

1. Verifiable: The information can be checked against accepted sources of knowledge, which may include scientific data, historical records, or religious texts, depending on the context.

2. Contextually Objective: They present information considered factual within a given framework of understanding, which may include religious or cultural perspectives.

3. Clear and Precise: The language used is straightforward, aiming for clarity in conveying information.

4. Time Reference: Factual sentences can refer to the present, past, or future, based on the accepted understanding within their context.

It's important to note that what is considered factual can vary depending on cultural, religious, or philosophical perspectives.

QUESTION: From the perspective of reasoning, rather than linguistics, what kind of sentences are important to recognize?

ANSWER: From Perplexity and my own list:

Factual: Based on or containing facts rather than theories or opinions[1][5]. A factual statement describes actual events or truths about the world.

Figurative: Using language in a non-literal way to convey ideas or meanings, often through comparisons or symbolic representations.

Counter-factual: Expressing what would have happened if past events had been different. It deals with unrealized past scenarios.

Predictive: Forecasting future events based on current information or trends.

Hypothetical: Dealing with imaginary situations or possibilities, often using past tense for present conditions.

Conditional: Expressing a relationship between a condition and a consequence.

Indicative conditional: Expressing open possibilities using present tense forms. For example: "If Sally owns a donkey, then she rides it."

Subjunctive conditional: Another term for counterfactual conditionals, using past tense or modal verbs to express unrealized scenarios. For example: "If Sally owned a donkey, she would ride it."

Term

Time Reference

Factuality

Conditionality

Probability

Realization

Factual

Present/Past

True

No

High

Actual

Figurative

Any

Metaphorical

No

-

Symbolic

Counter-factual

Past

False

Yes

None

Imaginary

Predictive

Future

Uncertain

No

Variable

Potential

Hypothetical

Present/Future

Uncertain

Yes

Low

Imaginary

Conditional

Any

Dependent

Yes

Variable

Potential

Indicative conditional

Present/Future

Possible

Yes

Variable

Potential

Subjunctive conditional

Past

False

Yes

None

Imaginary

QUESTION: What are some Biblical examples of these sentence types?

ANSWER: From Perplexity (edited)

Factual:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." (Luke 2:8)

Figurative:

"I am the vine; you are the branches." (John 15:5)

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

"I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)

Counter-factual:

"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin." (John 15:22)

"If Sodom had been spared, it would have remained to this day." (Matthew 11:23)

"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:42)

Predictive:

"The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death." (Matthew 20:18)

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18)

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

Hypothetical:

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move." (Matthew 17:20)

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." (Matthew 10:42)

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?" (Matthew 7:9)

Conditional:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15)

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Indicative conditional:

"If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15)

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord." (Romans 14:8)

Subjunctive conditional:

"If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)

"If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin." (John 15:24)

Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

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