Hello all

[mds120]

Hello all,

I'm a 25 year old Christian, living in California. Looking for some challenging discussion to strengthen my foundation.

Thanks!

[McCulloch]

I'm a 25 year old Christian, living in California. Looking for some challenging discussion to strengthen my foundation.

Welcome I'll try to challenge you and perhaps weaken your foundation.

[mds120]

I'm a 25 year old Christian, living in California. Looking for some challenging discussion to strengthen my foundation.

Welcome I'll try to challenge you and perhaps weaken your foundation.

Sounds like fun, hope to chat soon

[otseng]

Welcome to the forum. If you're looking for a challenge, you've come to the right place.

[McCulloch]

I'm a 25 year old Christian, living in California. Looking for some challenging discussion to strengthen my foundation.

Welcome I'll try to challenge you and perhaps weaken your foundation.

Sounds like fun, hope to chat soon

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

[Zzyzx]

Welcome to the forum MDS. It may be unwise to be certain that one's beliefs (or foundations) will be strengthened by discussion and debate. Quite the opposite might well happen. Can you accept that potential outcome?

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

I challenge the proverbial claim that iron sharpens iron. Is there evidence that the statement is true?

In my experience, if one object of iron (or steel) is harder than another sharpening may occur, as with a file and an ax -- the file steel has greater hardness (higher Rockwell number) and will sharpen the ax. However, the reverse is not true; an ax will not sharpen a file.

I am unaware of two pieces of iron (or steel) of similar hardness sharpening each other. Is this an example of a proverb sounding nice but being unrepresentative or untrue?

[McCulloch]

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

I challenge the proverbial claim that iron sharpens iron. Is there evidence that the statement is true?

This is not a debating thread. The proverb is simply that, a proverb, a metaphor. Extend it too far or too literally, and you will end up with nonsense. The underlying truth here is that none of us fully learn if we isolate ourselves from opinions which may be counter to what we already believe. Regardless of your point-of-view, real honest debate (not just straw man rhetoric) between opposing views held in good faith by intelligent people, I believe, will only improve the understanding of the participants. Even if ultimately, neither changes their position.

[otseng]

This is not a debating thread. The proverb is simply that, a proverb, a metaphor. Extend it too far or too literally, and you will end up with nonsense. The underlying truth here is that none of us fully learn if we isolate ourselves from opinions which may be counter to what we already believe. Regardless of your point-of-view, real honest debate (not just straw man rhetoric) between opposing views held in good faith by intelligent people, I believe, will only improve the understanding of the participants. Even if ultimately, neither changes their position.

Amen!

[kal-el]

Hello mds120. Be sure to post alot and don't be a stranger. Welcome to the forum btw.

[Zzyzx]

Oops, sorry folks. I got carried away.

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

I challenge the proverbial claim that iron sharpens iron. Is there evidence that the statement is true?

This is not a debating thread. The proverb is simply that, a proverb, a metaphor. Extend it too far or too literally, and you will end up with nonsense. The underlying truth here is that none of us fully learn if we isolate ourselves from opinions which may be counter to what we already believe. Regardless of your point-of-view, real honest debate (not just straw man rhetoric) between opposing views held in good faith by intelligent people, I believe, will only improve the understanding of the participants. Even if ultimately, neither changes their position.

Welcome MDS.