http://www.dotsub.com/films/moredemands/index.php?autostart=true&language_settin g=en_1618

I think that we (you & I, Deane) are of such an age that we probably won't have to suffer with this crap too terribly much longer.

The next generation? Well, good luck kids. It's a funny world out there.

Better to not live in fear. The next gen will grok this, already does. They will be just fine.

I'm sure their wives and girlfriends will enjoy having sacks over their heads.

Like I said, better to not live in fear.

There are bad people in the world. Always have been, always will be. This nation was created in a direct social challenge to that.

We can be free, we can prosper, we can build, we will not yield on these things.

The problem can be addressed through information, economics, military, diplomacy and to a lesser degree physics.

The classic means to regulate behavior have not changed. They won't change until we do in some core way. Not likely to happen anytime soon.

Our failure today, the source of the fear, is a direct result of us not doing our process and our society justice.

It's healthy to fear that --what might happen because of that. It's not healthy to fixate on it and drive our entire lives with it.

Missing, the difference between us is that you say it's living in fear, my background causes me to always be thinking ahead as to what may be happening. I must have come from keeping companies out of fur balls. It's the difference between a reactive persona and a pro-active one.

You're paranoid. Do you also cower every time you pass a black person on the street for fear of getting mugged?

I don't think it's that at all.

Really, the consistent focus you've had on this matter is one that is more narrow than reality dictates. It also ignores the cost implications for us as a society, in some cases.

We are both proactive. The difference is the scope of solutions we would entertain. You don't give credence to as large of a set as I do and that lack of credence, combined with some ideological differences is where the friction is.

Additionally, I mention the fear bit largely because I believe those ideological differences are driven, not by rational reasoning, but fear and mistrust that other approaches might actually have a meaningful impact.

You've too much rhetoric driving some of your statements.

We get to regulate behavior with norms, money, physics and law. I'm going to put military out as a distinct, additional category, even though it's physics in the ideal sense.

Here is where the divide is, for me at least. If we even entertain the idea that we must be less free, or surrender some of our core American ideals, in the face of terror, than we grant victory to the terrorists.

I'm simply not there yet! This is why:

When we had 9/11, we had global mind share that was just huge. In fact, I think it's the most mind share we've ever had as a nation.

We blew it. Well, Bush blew it, along with his administration. Being the man in charge, that's his burden.

We didn't keep to our values as Americans. In other words we blinked! And adding to that, the Bush administration cultivated fear and leveraged it for lots of purposes, including political power, for the sake of having political power, not that it's the right thing to do.

(I don't believe cultivating fear is ever the right thing to do, BTW)

That's a win for the terrorists, because our actions then are hobbled. We can't entertain the full scope of solutions available to us, without having to lose face and admit we were wrong in how we acted.

(we were, and maybe the next administration can address that, putting us in the drivers seat again, with full potential to remedy this matter of terror)

I don't think it's plausable to say we can't continue to live as Americans and fight terror. That burden is out there and nobody has come close to meeting it.

You know the classic: "Those that trade freedom for security deserve neither." Or something like that.

Well, it's true!

If we allow fear to rule our thought process, then we can justify that trade and going down that path is a losing one, period. There is absolutely no discussion.

Feel free to correct me on this, if you think you can.

Now, terror is different in that it's a social problem as much as it is a military one. We can't kill terror. It's an idea, a tactic that people may or may not choose to employ toward their own ends.

This means, by definition, that a military only solution won't get the job done. Ideas do not die with men --unless you are living Planet of the Apes.

(we aren't, of course)

The way forward, against terror, is to marginalize the returns it can bring to people who would be terrorists.

That means NOT CULTIVATING FEAR. We are a nation of laws, we are rational, we are strong, we are creative, and we are free.

It all starts there, meaning we won't see any meaningful progress on the terror problem until we start to lead by example.

A really great start would be to not entertain these "surprise" events that speak directly to a culture of fear. You have no idea how offensive this is to me.

This does not mean being foolish, that's a different problem, so don't even go there. I'm not anti military. In fact, I think terrorists should get the very harshest treatments, and be followed around the globe, not being able to rest at all.

In order for that to be a reality, we need to be a nation that's worth aligning with, meaning we have got to be acting for the best of reasons, trust worthy and strong.

If we set the norm that getting hit by terrorists means a get of out jail, nation building, exploiting people, violating the rule of law and mutually agreed to treaties is ok, then what does that mean for the globe as a whole?

It means everybody fend for themselves, and in that environment terror thrives.

Norms are very powerful things.

On the other hand, if getting hit by terrorists means a more concentrated effort toward eliminating those who did it, and it does not mean degrading the rule of law, terrorism then is of marginal value.

Why do terrorists do what they do?

Because they believe cultivating fear will get them something they want. Usually this is change, but it could be something else too. Maybe some thing as simple as awareness.

At the end of the day then, we run our nation according to our laws and we hold our values close, ready to deal at any cost to maintain them, and we do the same for our friends, so that together we are strong against would be terrorists.

We don't deal either. If you employ terror, all bets are off, you lose, end of story, morning glory!

I think we largely agree on these things. I don't think we agree on how to best do them.

Here's another tough thought? If we have a government and press that is willing to show us these things, regularly, to cultivate fear, then what is the difference between them and the terrorists, besides actually killing people and blowing up things?

There isn't all that much really, and it's damn tough to take a high ground position from there.

All I see is that if we elect anybody but the fear mongers, we are all gonna die, or something horrible.

That's a lie, I know it and everybody with even an ounce of self-respect and understanding of our history as a nation, knows it, so why bother even entertaining this crap on this level?

Worse, I hear people say Republicans are strong on national security. How can this be true, if they don't grok these very basic human truths?

Power, wielded by ignorance and greed, is every bit as dangerous as terror is. I would make the case that it's actually more dangerous.

Denial of these things is living in fear. You've accepted the fear, and are embracing it. You might be proactive in how you embrace it, but that's not a solid position to build from.

It isn't fear.

The Muslim's proclaimed goal is to dominate us and end our way of life. They don't even hide that. I'd prefer we continue to live our own lives in whatever manner we choose, be it religious, non-religious, political, non-political, whatever. That's not their announced intent.

When I see the world repeatedly making concessions, I can predict where it's headed. It may take a while, but they are headed for domination.

I know that most liberals would prefer living in social utopia where anything and everything is tolerated. My position is don't attempt to change my life, mind your own business. I have that same view about Muslims, Christians, Jews, you name it. Leave me alone.

"You're paranoid. Do you also cower every time you pass a black person on the street for fear of getting mugged?"

Do you hide behind a fake name so no one will know who is really making foolish statements?

You just don't get it.

I want exactly the same thing. Our current behavior isn't getting us there. In fact, it's doing us harm and that inhibits our ability to continue living our lives as we see fit.

"The Muslim's proclaimed goal is to dominate us and end our way of life."

Wasn't W just lecturing the Middle East about the wonders of democracy? Aren't we now in the middle of changing another country's way of life? How is it any different?

"Our current behavior isn't getting us there."

What behavior would?

>>Aren't we now in the middle of changing another country's way of life? How is it any different

Good grief! Such a unwise statement to say that the United States of American does'nt have anything over a country that was ruled by a Saddam slug.

>>the wonders of democracy

Best country in the world with all it's warts...everyone wants to move here...what gives?

I "hide" behind a fake name because I was taught to not post personal information on the internet and I value my privacy. I've already dealt with one stalker in my life and that's enough for me to learn not to allow any other nutballs the opportunity to do it again.

But I can tell you there's nothing I wouldn't say here that I wouldn't say to your face.

"Wasn't W just lecturing the Middle East about the wonders of democracy? Aren't we now in the middle of changing another country's way of life? How is it any different?"

I think our attempt was to let them chose there own way of life, not be ruled by a dictator. I wonder why you find that so bad?

"You're paranoid. Do you also cower every time you pass a black person on the street for fear of getting mugged?"

So, who's paranoid?

Deane, you pull that each time you end up looking kind of lame.

Real, fake, alias, not. The statement does not change.

Iraq was about OIL and CONTROL of that region. Improving the Iraqi people's lives was not even on the map. If it were, we would have planned for it. We didn't, and the result speaks for itself.

Oh, brother.

Nowhere did I say Iraq "had" anything on us. I was pointing out that trying to change another country's way of life is not exclusive to foreign countries or other religions.

Bookemdono, we just happen to see things a bit different. My view that the righteousness of offering people freedom of choice vs. radical religious domination is more justifiable appears to differ from yours.

The Iraq war is/was about all of the above. Bush's image in the micro is poor...in the macro with history he'll do almost as well as Reagan.
Depends on the source/your loop/spin preference of news, but I heard lately that most 80% of the Iraq people have appreciated America's efforts.

I thought you were going to leave the comments to others.

But you knew you weren't. Right?

"I thought you were going to leave the comments to others."

I didn't comment on the video, I commented on the comments.

A bit different? That's the understatement of the year.

I do agree that offering freedom of choice is a good thing. I do think that our imposing freedom of choice via pre-emptively invading a country to instill democracy is not righteous, it's imperialistic behavior motivated solely to seize control of another country to gain control of an increasingly scarce resource.

"it's imperialistic behavior motivated solely to seize control of another country to gain control of an increasingly scarce resource."

You need some new sheet music for your lyrics. If we were getting any of their oil it probably wouldn't be $200+ a barrel.

" "I thought you were going to leave the comments to others."

I didn't comment on the video, I commented on the comments."

Uh uh. OK.

The Iraq war has added about a 20% premium to the cost of oil right now.

Broadway, you're hopelessly deluded if you think history will look at Bush favorably. He's the worst modern day president, hands down. And he's not even done yet. History will be very unkind to Bush. I almost feel sorry for him.

" You'll see, after we're all dead - he was great."

What do you think W means by this:

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."—Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008

I think he thinks he knows what will happen in the future. And now that he has said it out loud and gone on record with his thoughts, the opposite will actually happen.

Long gone as in dead or long gone as in Paraguay?

>>Broadway, you're hopelessly deluded

But my grandkid thinks I'm tops!

Yup, I pretty much agree with that guy in the video.

Muslims treat their women like shit and we are all expected to sit back and make nice with them so we dont look Politically Incorrect .

"But my grandkid thinks I'm tops!"

That's nice.

“I think our attempt was to let them chose there own way of life, not be ruled by a dictator. I wonder why you find that so bad”?

Why limit ourselves to Iraq? I can think of many countries where we can play topple the dictator. We have North Korea, Myanmar, Iran, Nicaragua, Cuba, China, Syria, and the Sudan. I’m sure there are many others. This would give the notion of an open ended war a whole new meaning.

It’ll cost trillions and millions of lives will be lost, but the George W. Bush paradigm of democracy at the end of a barrel of a gun might just work. NOT!

Muslims treat their women like shit and we are all expected to sit back and make nice with them so we dont look Politically Incorrect .

Women in this country are treated like crap as well. My wife works with women who have be abused by their husbands or boyfriends. They may not be treated like Muslims but they are not treat very good.

Fuck it.

One nation, one planet, one God, one people. Let's do it!

I'll bet we can throw the globe into the dark ages for at least half the century, and at least half of us will be left.

(maybe the smarter half)

From there, after all the nut-bags have killed each other off, we can pry off the dogma and experience a new period of enlightenment.

Hell, might do the planet and the species good.

Those damn terrorists have no idea who they are messing with. By the time we are done, terror will be a walk in the park. Little kids do that.

Real men, just nuke until there is no discussion. (or food)

We can get back to the basics! That's right, hunting and gathering. Anything else is immoral. Jesus would be damn proud.

Good answer Trixter. I can now change my opinion of Muslims cause some ladies your wife work with are married to abusive assholes.


Thats a fair comparison......(sigh)

Let's just bomb the living shit out of everyone that doesn't think as we do and then DA, Herb and the EXTREME FLOCK will be happy.
Oh... That includes China, Russia and EVERYONE else that isn't a Democracy!
Good luck guys!

Ummm, Russia is a democracy...


Isnt it?

Not much longer the way things are going....

I meant Cuba... DAMN!

>>My wife works with women who have be abused by their husbands or boyfriends.

In America there are laws against such (physical) abuse and any woman should not put up with even one event...never...out of the relationship...gone...know thats easier said than done but physical or any other abuse cannot be accepted...wrong wrong wrong. Take control of your life.
Another suggestion would be to take haven in a Bible believing church that has staffing that could help in counseling/support.

When you're in an abusive relationship especially if it's a wife being abused by her husband, what may look like an easy way out for the woman is not.

My wife's first marriage was abusive. But she stuck it out for four and half years before finally leaving. It was verbal abuse to begin with and was teetering on physical. My wife grew up with a physically and verbally abusive father, and she married a man just like that. It's what she knew.

They did seek counseling but it became clear to the counselor that my wife’s first husband was immature and wasn't going to change.

He said all the right things, they read scripture together attended church together and looked like they were the happy Christian couple. It was fake. He abused his position and power and to this day it's one of the reasons my wife rarely attends church, and I don't blame her.

For my wife church is where abusive white men in authority and power tell wives to submit and give money. These are not the words of Jesus.

Broadway, stop mentioning the bible in EVERY single post. We get it. It's become very, very tiresome and frankly annoying.

I'd guess that the majority of people here are skipping or skimming your posts.

This is NOT a "bible" or recruitment website. If you feel the urge and can't stop, take it somewhere else where it's appreciated.

>>stop mentioning the bible in EVERY single post

I don't...being the radio geek I am chime in about radio stuff too.

>>people here are skipping or skimming your posts

thats their choice...I'm ok with that.

>>take it somewhere else where it's appreciated.

so much for tolerant liberal ideaology.

>>This is NOT a "bible" or recruitment website

just suggesting ideals...right choices here. Last I checked there's First Ammendment Rights on pdxradio.com. My spirit here is a concern for your lifes/souls.

Chris...sorry that your wife has had the experiences shared. Hoping that her faith is strong in God alone. Man fails often...we're not perfect...we all look too low...not high enough to where the answers are.

Did I mention the Bible?

liberals = Godless heathens. I guess these posts sort of confirm that.

No it doesn't.

Not wanting to hear about the BIBLE and God full time is simply wanting to keep the discussion focus appropriate.

It is a travesty of reasoning to assume that God always applies.

Well I don't think you want me to be on topic and talk about the Islamic god...actually I don't know much about allah...have some things to say but don't want to get my head chopped off.
Wait a minute...sometimes get that here (symbolically) on this board!

I serve a merciful living loving God of the Bible. So can all of you!

Dan-
When I began to share some of my value system with those on this side of the message board I never laced it with all the scriptural diatribe you do. I knew it would build a wall and I wouldn’t be taken seriously. Just ask Missing, Skeptical, and others. When Herb cherry picked scripture to justify his political stance I felt led to let others know not all Christians are in the same boat, and that’s okay.

The Bible is a huge wall for some people that’s why you are being shot down. You are making the wall bigger. Discuss the issues and gives us your opinion. If you want to start a "Bible" thread you can and I believe you will get quite a response.

Again this is where you and I are different in our approach to our faith. Your conservative background has taught you to share the gospel at every turn. I agree to a point. Sometimes the best way to share your faith is to live it quietly and being respectful of where others are coming from. I believe that is being Christ-like.

I believe you are turning more people off to Christianity and you wear it as a badge of honor. Yes you have first amendment rights but there is a fine line between sharing your faith and being a fool.

>>there is a fine line between sharing your faith and being a fool.

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

>>I believe you are turning more people off to Christianity and you wear it as a badge of honor.

Chris...you know thats not my purpose or goal. I only respond because I see a different point of view. Chris...re-read Matthew 23 for me...Christ was very confrontational...putting people in their place in their sin. Yes others He had mercy but only in confessing/admitting their sin.

Again still trying to be gentle here. Blessings!

Gentle is not the word that describes your posts.

But now onto much brighter and better discussions.

Big time.

I absolutely don't mind these discussions. In fact, we've had some damn good ones, with challenges and food for thought on all sides.

This is healthy time well spent.

"I serve a merciful living loving God of the Bible. So can all of you!"

Ok. Good for you. You need to know that just because it's good for you, does not mean it's good for everybody. And that means not bringing it up on every topic possible all the time.

Frankly, that's noise.

It's the same kind of noise we get on other subjects, so let's be clear it's not about religion, because it's just not. We've had noise on profanity, bush sucks (still struggling with that one), IBOC, you name it.

There comes a time and a place for these kinds of things. It's not always the right time and or place.

Another thing too. The scope of discussion is often significantly changed with one of these kinds of things. Sometimes it's good, but most of the time it isn't.

It's a total given that our threads wander. Nature of the beast. I think that's generally good, because those wanderings sometimes lead to really great things. Worth the hassle.

When they are forced to wander, for purposes of this kind of advocacy, I find it very tough to deal with.

Really, it goes two ways:

One way, is tangental, as in, "Hey, my youth study said this about", or "We talked about this and here is something interesting to consider."

If those have some meat, it's all good.

Another way is the low value, "Just read the bible and everything will be fine." kinds of things.

Not to devalue that, but everybody knows about those people that subscribe to the bible literally. Of course you read it, of course you find your answers in it, and of course we could too, if...

It's that if, that needs to have some value.

Given my life experience, and I'm quite sure it's not typical, I really don't need to be told, "I told you so", or "If you had only listened to God", or any other similar thing.

I'm also guilty of pushing back on those things, sorry for that. I have worked on humor at times, because it helps, but sometimes not.

Your approach Broadway, is not one that resonates with me very well at all. As Chris said, his is.

Know this is not personal. Your intentions are noble, and I sense you are a nice person, who cares and who thinks they've got something everybody needs and if they can just get it, as you have, they will be helped as you have.

Trust me, I get that. Appreciate it on that level. Maybe that helps to put the above in context.

One more thing, I guess...

As a kid, when I did believe very fully, one thing about religious advocacy stuck with me as being a core thing. Important and actually applicable to one's life on many levels, not just spiritual.

That thing is that people have to want to believe, or it's not just and true.

To clarify, trying to leverage guilt, fear, sadness, and other emotional things, repeatedly simply darkens the conversation without adding any value.

Being forced or shocked into something can cause somebody to jump the chasm and get there, find God and go from there. Happens.

If it happens naturally, I suppose that's just an artifact of life, maybe divine, maybe just an artifact, but it's not linked to some deliberate, "I just gotta convert the masses" intent.

Getting back to that advocacy then, I had a Sunday School teacher, who really understood this and took the time to tell us young people about it and why it matters.

It matters because if you work too hard at this stuff, you end up marginalizing it. It becomes noise, just like the other noise in our lives, and people generally don't like noise.

Most people will work to reduce noise so that they have the greater measure of their mindshare at peace so they can just be who they are and do what they do.

The best advocacy, and I hate to do this, but I'm gonna and I'll buy some really great Coffee and apologize later Chris!

Living that religious life, eating your own dogma, and just letting that life shine, in the way that a good person, living at peace with themselves and the world can, is attractive to others, not there just yet.

Chris does this. He does it unabashedly. It is simply who he is, and it's not very contrived at all and that matters pretty huge to me.

If it's contrived, then it's forced and that runs contrary to: people have to want to believe, if said belief is to be just and true and wholesome.

I know it's grade school stuff, but it's core to who we are and how we work. Nobody can be made to want something. They have got to get there on their own.

And, at risk of being way too wordy on this, in other words, "holier than thou" myself, I believe that the "neener, neener, I've got it and you are gonna wish you did!" approach just sucks, just like that rich kid, who has the best toys sucks.

Sucks, not because of the toys, but because he just won't shut up about it, no matter what the topic is.

Peace, and I mean that and am gonna go off and do what I do.

Seconded on the brighter discussions, BTW.

Fire + Brimstone = Broadway

Well, that stuff is only as scary as you think it is!

Missing + Littlesongs would equal a "pastor" I could really hang with.

Thanks Doug. Thoughtful and deep per usual.

Hey we could get together and have a Rational Revival!

neo-CONers = Bible thumpin' truth benders and History re-writers. I guess YOUR posts sort of confirm that.

as the preacher often yells...

CAN I GET A WITNESS ???

Broadway: I'll witness this: you DID stay on topic once! Not that hard...was it? Just joshin' you...but it was cool.

BTW, "Allah" is the same God you talk about, and the only differences are how the Word is interpreted and acted upon. Each religious practice has those who interpret literally and go too far. Just as in Christianity, there are many Muslims who look on in disbelief at what happens in the name of Islam.

Being Jewish or Muslim is a little different in the Middle East than being Christian here: there, the religion permeates every aspect of the cultures. I have friends of both cultures who point out that religion here is surface deep in comparison. There, it's like sand: it's in everything, always.

...and that's kind of horrible. It's a mental prison that's very hard to escape.


To actually escape it, and be who you really are, you must often either surrender that person, suffering change that does not come from within dying a little death each day without just and true reasons, or put life, family and love at risk to step out and do what it takes to get there.

Life might be short, but sweet, or it might be long and bitter sweet, with family, life, work, love and friends far away, still trapped, maybe not strong enough to follow.

Imagine this nation branded a Buddist one! It's in the law, in the culture, in the ADs, in the schools, at work, your neighbors, the police, everywhere. Non believers are branded freaks, and are always shunned, under pressure to just give themselves up, die, and play ball with the rest of the likely walking dead.

Those Christians among us then would be meeting in secret, huddled around their word, trying to get where they believe God wants them to go, trapped, mostly living a lie.

IMHO, this is a lot like the gender trapped person, or Gay person living in an ignorant part of the world, having to present as somebody else to get through the day.

If there is a hell, then it's a little like that.

Here, in this place, our founders died so that we would NEVER experience that hell. Something to think about.

CAN I GET A WITNESS ???

Go into your bathroom and look in the mirror....

>>Allah" is the same God you talk about, and the only differences are how the Word is interpreted and acted upon

Beg to differ with ya Entre_nous...allah never was/never will be the one true and living God that is revealed in His Son Jesus Christ and His Word called the Bible which is very clear about who is God This country was founded on Christian principles that allows it's citizens to have the freedoms we have...try being a Christian in Irag!

Proof is in the pudding...

God the Creator
God the Redeemer from sin/the crud of your life through Jesus Christ
God the giver of life more abundantly
God in America with "free wills" we enjoy
God in you if/when you need Him...always there and in His Word too.

"CAN I GET A WITNESS ???"

Lee Michaels - 1971

Proof is in the pudding...


For the non believers on this board the PROOF you say is in the form of a book written by MAN. It's hard to get them to believe.... Just saying that the proof is in the pudding isn't good enough...

try this site...very interesting...

http://www.allabouttruth.org/who-wrote-the-bible.htm

and here's a great one...straight to the video.

http://www.allabouttruth.org/is-the-bible-true-video.htm

Dan I read and watched the information you gave links too.

Now here is a long time pastor friend of mine who wrote me an email a couple of years ago when I asked him to fill me in on "The Word of God."
----------------------

I believe much of the confusion over the status of biblical inspiration is thinking that the expression the Word of God means words of God.

In my Evangelical Free Church upbringing, we were in essence taught that inspiration meant that the Bible was the product of God being the author, and the biblical writers being merely scribes. Actually it wasn't just Evangelical Christians who thought this way, many Orthodox Jews had this picture of the way the Torah was formed. The writers went into kind of a trance and "channeled" God's thoughts through their various means of getting language onto stone, clay tablets, papyri, etc.

Beginning in the 19th c., and first in Germany and later in England and the United States, analysts began to a) learn how closely the biblical literature resembled literature from virtually all cultures in the Middle East during the times of biblical composition, and b) the ways it appeared that even if some of the embedded stories were ancient, they'd been "massaged" or "edited" over years to reflect various perspectives of significant groups such as priests, the royal court of the Davidic kings, etc.

It further became evident that, even if the original story may have come from a period far removed from the ones working to shape it into its current form, that form was heavily impacted by events that were current at that time such as the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, the Babylonian captivity, etc. Further, even the canon of the Hebrew scriptures (our Christian Old Testament) apparently wasn't finally established until around the time of Christ. The various documents had been circulating for years, but which ones would be included, and in which order, was a fairly "late" decision.

Finally, even with the New Testament documents, it became more and more difficult to believe that the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses to the Christ event, or that they weren't shaped by the respective authors' hands. Further, it became difficult to imagine that some of the events depicted in the life of Christ were not, in fact, inventions of the authors to serve the faith needs of the communities of faith for which they were writing.

So much for direct Divine inspiration.

So, where does this leave us? With the perspective that while God did not "write" Scripture via stuperous scribes who put down just what they were told, that there was Divine inspiration present in the shaping and preservation of these documents, to and including the final decisions by church councils long after Christ's death as to what should be included in -- or excluded from -- the canon of the New Testament as we have it today.

Further, in Reformed theology, the "magic" is not in the words on the page. They are just words as would exist in any other book. Their Divine Inspiration comes as the Spirit works through the reading of Scripture in the community of faith and in preaching based upon that Scripture. Even when the preacher is known to be a scoundrel, or a lazy exegete, or...., the faith is that God can work through her or his words.

Further, inspiration that merits being called The Word, is not limited to Scripture. Scripture is considered to be the Word written, Jesus is considered to be the Word Incarnate, and the body of Christ -- the Church -- is considered to be the Word lived out in the world as it takes what it has heard and experienced of the faith of the church and lives it day-to-day.