Writer revisits Biblical argument with Cowan

Several things become apparent while reading Vince Cowan’s letters:
His favorite way to defend his religious views is to charge those who ask difficult questions with making a fumbling attempt to discredit God’s word.
He extends the bounds of language and logic when he suggests that questions and misunderstandings do not count as questions and misunderstandings if they are being progressively received.
He ignores the contradiction between saying that the Bible does not lend itself to different interpretations, and saying that “today’s quide to truthful interpretation of the Bible is the Holy Ghost.”
He says his faith is based on God’s word, not someone’s personal observations.
He asserts that the King James Bible is the preserved word of Almightly God, and that all of the numerous modern day Bible versions were translated from flawed manuscripts.
But since it doesn’t say that in the King James Bible and since he doesn’t rely on someone’s personal observations in such matters, one can’t help but wonder just how he managed to come up with that interesting bit of information.
Since Mr. Cowan was puzzled about the meaning of the observation that “personal experience determines the extent of theological aspirations,” this illustration is offered: If you are convinced that you got what you prayed for, you will be likely to pray again.

Joe Tolbert
Bristol, Va.