by archenland_knight » February 23rd, 2009, 8:50 pm
From the standpoint of the logician, there is really no difference between "but" and "and". So, it works just as well to say, "God is merciful and forgiving and Holy and Righteous" as opposed to "but". "Salvation is free AND ..." okay, I'm not sure what you were going to put after "but" on that one.
I know of no software development tool or programming language that has a "but" operator. They all have an "And". They all have an "OR". Some of the older ones had an "XOR" (exclusive Or). Never have I encountered a "BUT". You don't need it. "AND" serves the same purpose.
My point is that I try to look at theological issues with the "AND" operator as opposed to the "BUT" operator. It handles all the same situations, but helps me see things a little more positively.
Perhaps you could share some of the specifics "but" clauses that seem to be giving you trouble.
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."