Lesson 2 | Support by Restatement
Contrast or Options
One important distinction from the last step is the difference between Alternative and Negative-Positive.
Alternative presents two options. Conversely, Negative-Positive denies one thing and affirms the other, or stresses one as good and the other as bad.
Note also that Alternative is a Coordinate relationship (neither proposition is supporting the other) whereas Negative-Positive is Subordinate, the negative piece supporting the positive. Sometimes the difference between these two relationships is plain, whereas at other times it is much more nuanced.
Hmm... Should I study for the exam this morning or sleep in? (Alternative) Bill did not work hard the entire semester, but just crammed for the final exam. (Negative-Positive) There are those who were diligent to prepare for the exam, and there are those who were not. (Alternative) A wise student will begin preparing for this test now. A procrastinator is going to regret not doing so. (Positive-Negative)
Let’s look at some biblical examples and see if you get the idea. As before, you will immediately be told if you answered incorrectly and need to try again.
"Should we pay [taxes], | or should we not?" (Mark 12:14)
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"But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. | Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name" (1 Pet 4:15-16).
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"While some said, 'He is a good man,' | others said, 'No, he is leading the people astray'" (John 7:12).
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"But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, | but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no" (James 5:12).
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"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, | but he who repeats a matter separates close friends" (Prov 17:9).
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