This is why it's so important to know your translations, have experience translating, and to grasp not only the blip on the radar that is being argued, but also much longer historical contexts granularly to put things into perspective for those less learned. Well done, Cambridge!
https://twitter.com/mkbfpv/status/1966798326730240107
Some details may be off, but this is what being outclassed in a debate looks like.
The way to respond would've been to acknowlege one does not have relevant expertise to parse linguistic nuances in translation. Losing ground on logic, then appealing to authority is a big no no.
The way to respond would've been to acknowlege one does not have relevant expertise to parse linguistic nuances in translation. Losing ground on logic, then appealing to authority is a big no no.
There are moments in the second half where, clearly stretched well past limits of knowledge or context, there is panic followed by random fact diarrhea with no continuity in argument and a bit of a slip in manners. That's where formal experience in debate may have been helpful.
It's actually a shame that he panicked and kept talking over the debate partner instead of engaging with an open mind, because the Cambridge dude knew some stuff he didn't, and this could have been allowed to blossom into a much more educational exchange. No biggie, but still.
It's brave and impressive of Kirk to have gone up against a Cambridge classicist. Romantic, honestly. Like David against Goliath. But if you faithfully trace back Christian history, you end up far more multicultural. The number of translations alone will humble any honest person.
Biblical history/exegesis is simply not an arena that has room for plucky modern monolinguals. It isn't American Sunday school. It's a deeply demanding field requiring years of focused study and familiarity with many dead languages that you usually tackle in university/seminary.
Given the passion, if he actually opened his mind, Kirk would have probably matured a lot in his faith in seminary or theological school, but it would have taken years, and much more intellectual humility. This wasn't even a real/fair debate. He was just effortlessly outclassed.
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