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Mr. Winzer is addressing the argument, not your person. Since the debate is dealing with a "literal" vs. figurative interpretation of the term "new" in relation to song, I don't see how this is "Against the man".
Surely you aren't calling Rev. Winzer an "incompetant exegete" and "calling the kettle black" by doing so? Either way, I would revisit the definition of ad hominem.
Let's keep the debate on the subject, not the persons. But let's also be careful before we blow the logical whistle.
the VAST majority of times "new" is used it means "brand new" and clearly in context
Mr. Longmire's research is restricted to one particular noun form, and even there sensitivity to message and nuance has not been displayed. If one consults a work like TDNT, TWOT, or NIDOTTE it will be seen that semantic range and use is discovered by a complete examination of all forms of the root. In the piel the word means "make new, restore, reaffirm."
The "new things" of Isaiah are referring to fulfilled prophecy, hence not entirely new; a new exodus, as biblical theologians repeatedly point out, relating to the "restoration," and should be carefully connected to the new (renewed) heaven and earth.
In Job, TWOT says, "While suffering, Job longed for the time when his glory was 'fresh' in him (Job 29:20)" (1:266). Mr. Longmire has ignored the parallelism.
The contributor to NIDOTTE states with relation to "new songs:" "In all these occurences the 'new song' was a response by God's people to God's revelation and the experience of a new act of deliverance. 'New' here has the meaning of fresh, adapted to the occasion. It does not mean that the 'old songs' are being replaced by the 'new ones'" (2:36).
From II Timothy 2:
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."
The Gospel not being at stake, brothers quarreling over words, and this being an Internet thread which automatically renders communication of complex truths very difficult...is this not a clear time to hang this up?
Yup - thanks, brother and peace.