Have you seen anyone post this on social media or other similar meme? How does one respond as a Christian?
- First off it is true that 6 can look like a 9.
- The illustration involves only two referents both who are viewers. What’s missing is the author of the number. Authorial intent matters.
- Given authorial intent we see context. This illustration stands alone doesn’t capture the complexity of how actual communication is more than one sign but many signs (other numbers, letters, etc) that establish whether a 6 or a 9 is meant. So this illustration is a horrible argument that life is all about perspective of the readers. This doesn’t mean readers perspective doesn’t matter; but there’s more than readers perspective that is going on.
- There are cases where there’s not a lot of context where it can be a 6 or a 9 legitimately; but that’s not a good argument then to extrapolate from that truth that universally or more globally its always a matter of readers’ perspective.
- Also purposeful play on words, double entendre and intentional vagueness doesn’t defeat the concept of the importance of authorial intent (such as here); that can be the authorial intent based upon the context. Again authorial intent matters.
- “Let’s also look at the sentence. I suppose if we respond to the person by saying “I am right and you are wrong to say this” and follow with “Am I wrong?” he would probably say I’m wrong. I mean that’s what the meme is about. So it is self refuting.
- Also he’s arguing for the view that it can be 6 or 9. He doesn’t think the view that there’s no 6 or 9 is right nor does he think the view “its only 6” or “its only 9” right is correct. So to argue for the view there’s no right and wrong and assume there’s a range of right answer is self-defeating.
Never seen that before. Great analysis. If only they would use their energy to see the truth and not make up silliness!
Amen: ” If only they would use their energy to see the truth and not make up silliness!” If only! That amount of energy spent digging through the Word of God to know what it really means while relying on the Spirit would pay great dividends! Have a blessed week brother!
Excellent insight brother. That makes a great point that the intent and context of the author matter more than we think sometimes.
Blessings.
Missing your point entirely, from the side a “6” looks like a “1”. 😉
Sometimes there is more than one right answer.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
Romans 14:5-7 NKJV
I think there are times there’s more than one right answer (when they are non-contradictory and logically compatible while corresponding to reality) like when we have multiple choice answers when the answer is “all the above” and its factually the case. But to say there’s no such thing as wrong answers is stretching it given how Scripture does state there are things false, there’s false doctrines, false prophets and false teachers. Also your first comment is witty and funny! Thanks for the sanctified humor on here Mark!
YW 🙂
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12 NKJV
Jimmy,
Sounds very post-modern. 🙃Hope you’re having a blessed day.
pax,
dora
Indeed it is quite Post-modernesque; my day is going well with teaching my kids and reading; how is your day?
I remember such days! Having a pleasant evening, looks like fall temps. are here. 🍂🍁🍂
Good teaching.
Thanks! Always appreciate your love and support Maw Maw!!
I love you, Grand.
When one assumes an author, one then has an obligation to seek the purpose of the author rather than resorting to one’s own interpretation of the message. Denying that God is Creator of the universe and Author of the Bible, unbelievers feel free to reinterpret what they perceive according to their own rules, as we see time after time after time. J.
Indeed you hit it right on the nail; authorial intent matter; and the Creator intent matter too with creation, History, science, facts, etc! Hope you are doing well brother with everything…
[…] Responding to Objection of 6 or 9 and argument there’s no right and wrong […]
The meme is a good example of the propagation of relativism and the alleged lack of absolute truth. Thanks for the rebuttal. Yes, even children around the world know there is an absolute 6 and an absolute 9.
Amen! Thanks for the information too with your comment about Buffalo and New York. How is your Tuesday going so far?
RE: Tuesday
Thanks! I cut the back lawn and then a paralegal brought paperwork over for me to sign for the sale of my sister’s house. Still waiting for a date but the house closing will be very soon. I’m going to see if my wife will let me R&R the rest of the day. 😊
What’s going on for your Tuesday?
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
[…] Responding to Objection of 6 or 9 and argument there’s no right and wrong — The Domain for Truth […]
A great discussion. Let truth prevail.
[…] 7.) Responding to Objection of 6 or 9 and argument there’s no right and wrong […]
How strange they can ignore authorial intent. But then not surprising when they look at Creation and ignore the Creator.
I want to argue back that its an upside down G
Your analysis can be applied in a variety of platforms, topics, and presentations.
Thank you for this, Jim! It is so easy to leave the author out of the argument about his own writing.
You are right it’s easy to forget to account for the author. I think as the era gets more narcissistic it is even more easy to neglect authorial intent. How was your Sunday???
Nice and peaceful! Hope yours was good as well😊
The analysis cuts down this postmodern standpoint epistemology
The more arguments I hear for relativism the more proof of the opposite