Davin Unger

Rhetoric

Recitation 4

Narrative Confirmation

September 28, 2023

Word Count: 707

 

Sophistic:

 

(Proposition)

            It is likely true that Amoun levitated across the Lycus river.

(Reason)

            I make this assertion based on the fact that Theodore claims that Amoun was dry when they met on the far bank. 

(Proof of reason)

            Now this statement admits of three possibilities, firstly, that Theodore was mistaken, and that Amoun was in fact wet when they met, secondly, that Amoun somehow found another way to cross that allowed him to remain dry, or lastly, that Amoun legitimately levitated. Ironically, the last proposition is the only one that holds water.

(Embellishment)

            The first explanation is possible but unlikely. Like the kid who got into the brownies, the appearance of a man who has been swimming denotes his recent activities, and anyone in Theodore's position would make certain of what he was seeing, especially before believing that a miracle had occurred. Even if he was a man of faith, people are innately inclined to exhaust all natural explanations before admitting of supernatural ones.

            The second assertion is equally implausible, because if there were a way to ford the river that didn't involve swimming Theodore would likely have identified it long before getting into the water. But even if he missed something, even if there was another way, after hearing Amouns fantastical claim, he would certainly have checked for any possible way that his companion could have crossed without levitating. If for instance Amoun had used a fallen tree, Theodore would have quickly located it. If say, a boat had carried Amoun across, Theodore would likely have seen or heard it. I have yet to identify any way that Amoun could have crossed the river without his companion noticing, barring a miracle of course. 

            The last possibility simply asserts that God miraculously carried Amoun to the far bank just as the narrative claims, we as Christians know this to be possible and when considered alongside the other explanations it is almost undoubtable. 

(Resume) Therefore, Amoun likely did levitate across the Lycus River because out of all the possibilities that account for him being dry, this alone holds up to scrutiny. 

 

 

 

Sound:

 

(Proposition) It is likely true that Amoun levitated across the Lycus river.

            

(Reason) Now I assert this claim on the basis that God displays a great proclivity for prevailing over the forces of water to protect and benefit his Children.

            

(Proof of Reason) Scripture substantiates this notion with a number of varying accounts in which God delivers his saints from water. 

 

(Embellishment) Take for example the story in Joshua when Israel crosses the Jordan, it says: 

 

            those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who 

            bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks 

            during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream           stood still

 

The account displays remarkable parallels to the story of Amoun. In both cases we see holy men journeying on foot, coming to a river during flood season, and reaching the other side without getting wet, neither of them having asked God for a miracle. 

 

            This is just one of many cases, time would fail me to speak of Israel crossing the red sea, of Peter walking on water, of Elijah, Elisha, and the apostle Paul, all case studies of God's tendency to work miracles for the sake of his people in cases involving water.   

 

            If you spend any amount of time looking at the seascapes of Winslow Homer the American realist painter, you'll see that he tends to paint his waves using jagged forms, cool and earthy colors, as well as contrasting tones, these tendencies set his work apart from other sea scape painters such that at a glance the trained eye could identify his work. In the same way, God has certain inclinations that show up in his work, and one of these is a proclivity to spare his saints from the danger and obstruction of water.

 

            (Resume) In light of this, the account of Amoun's miraculous river crossing is likely true because it squares with who God is and how He reveals Himself to man.