[In contrast, tribe and family may been trapped in their own word-games.
For example, the tribe is always at war with the rest of the world.
The 10 commandments do not encourage the universal thought experiments.]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[Did traditional Judaic interpretations of God’s law lead to bondage?
Here is my guess.
Before the Laws of Moses, tribal and family traditions predominated.
The choice was between the obligations of tribe and family versus slavery to another tribe or family.]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[Here is an easy example.
A parent says to a child:
“You are free as long as you do your homework.”
Then the child does not fulfill “his” responsibility.
As soon as “he” turns on the TV, sitting and watching2a becomes the something2a that enslaves “him”.]
[What is the actuality2a that fundamentally transforms freedom2a(1a) into bondage2a(1a)?
This ‘something2a’ emerges from and situates the possibilities inherent in me1a.
The mirror of the world3a or the thought experiment3a brings ‘something2a’ out of the possibilities inherent in me1a.
I may think that something2a enslaves me.
Actually, the relation3a enslaves me.]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[The intersection portrays a single actuality composed of two conflicting actualities. One actuality reveals values. The other reveals desires.]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[A nugget of wisdom appears.
The integrity of the individual may be formulated as an if…then statement.
IF the person’s mirror of the world reflects YHWH,
THEN freedom describes the potentials inherent in the person.
The individual becomes responsible and free.
IF the person’s mirror of the world does not reflect YHWH,
THEN bondage describes the potentials inherent in the person.
The individual loses responsibility (words) and becomes a slave (bondage).]
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[Schoonenberg ‘s comments fit into the interscope of the thought experiment where ‘I choose something’.
Values align with desires.
But they do not dwell there long.
Values contradict desires.
The single actuality in this intersection is ‘my heart2’.]
[In the graciousness of a Persian king, a remnant returned.
They built the second temple in Jerusalem.
Could this devotion be described as ‘bondage’?
No and yes.
No, the individual is ruled by YHWH.
Yes, the individual is ruled by an elite who claims to speak for God.]
[In Babylon, the exiles lost everything, except their values and their desires for YHWH.
In America, the exiles gained everything and lost their values and desires for YHWH.
What will happen now, once again, depends on Persia.]
[The Old Testament prophets held incredible expectations3a. The whole of Israel should serve YHWH.
And they failed. The whole of Israel failed, and the heart of Judah was excised and removed to Babylon.]
