Tom – I leave the rest where it is. My only comment is that the standards I and others use to examine Barton’s work is hardly bonecrushing. For instance, it is not too much to ask for Barton to distinguish between giving a one time donation to a Bible society and being the founder of that bible society, is it?

Google Jefferson and “deist” and see the world of ignorance out there on the anti-Barton side for yrself!

Look, Barton’s errors are bizarre. I’ve never seen anything like it. Still, there’s usually a germ of truth in there that’s interesting, and since my own approach to truth is not adversarial, I’m willing to see where these things lead.

For instance, the thing with the Kaskaskia Indians, if nothing else, seems to be the first “faith-based initiative.” Jefferson’s “Bible” does contain the second Coming. I find all that interesting. In our present discussion, my careful reading of Jefferson’s 1788 letter to Dirieux has him not quite decided that the Trinity is a fiction.

Whereas by 1823, he’s analysed John 1 and decided that “the word made flesh” of John 1 is a mistranslation of “logos.” Now, this is an anti-Trinitarian tract!

http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/53/Letter_from_Thomas_Jefferson_to_John_Adams_1.html

As always, best regards.

Tom – I leave the rest where it is. My only comment is that the standards I and others use to examine Barton’s work is hardly bonecrushing. For instance, it is not too much to ask for Barton to distinguish between giving a one time donation to a Bible society and being the founder of that bible society, is it?

I look forward to reading more excerpts that I find compelling enough to subject myself to reading a book-length rebuttal of David Barton, whose “work” I don’t give a hang about in the first place. So far, I’m not feeling sufficiently compelled, if I may attempt a delicate reply.

Rest assured, Warren, that I don’t troll your blog looking to start up with you. Your posts here are often linked by my co-blogger Jonathan Rowe over @

http://americancreation.blogspot.com/

I examine your interesting claims and report my findings in our comments sections. Since the results are in my comptr’s clipboard, I reprint them here as well. I’ve upheld the majority of your objections, but have tended to report only the ones I think should be overruled. I’m sorry if I give the impression I’m highly critical of your work. On balance, I’m highly in agreement with it.

But I believe Barton’s critics have too free a hand, are received as uncritically by his enemies as he is by his fans, and often do not hold themselves to the same bonecrushing standard they apply to him. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Moi, I’m afraid. Being me is a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. Cheers, my friend.

😉

Google Jefferson and “deist” and see the world of ignorance out there on the anti-Barton side for yrself!

Look, Barton’s errors are bizarre. I’ve never seen anything like it. Still, there’s usually a germ of truth in there that’s interesting, and since my own approach to truth is not adversarial, I’m willing to see where these things lead.

For instance, the thing with the Kaskaskia Indians, if nothing else, seems to be the first “faith-based initiative.” Jefferson’s “Bible” does contain the second Coming. I find all that interesting. In our present discussion, my careful reading of Jefferson’s 1788 letter to Dirieux has him not quite decided that the Trinity is a fiction.

Whereas by 1823, he’s analysed John 1 and decided that “the word made flesh” of John 1 is a mistranslation of “logos.” Now, this is an anti-Trinitarian tract!

http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/53/Letter_from_Thomas_Jefferson_to_John_Adams_1.html

As always, best regards.