15
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1512
CONNATURA Knowledge moral authentic
Coaserence
3 Elements
Prayer med fat testing
requires openness & interior freedom.......... Aquinas known for empshassi on reason, but also speaks abt I virtues..Moral Virtues 4 credenl.. 1)prudence 2) justie 3) temperance 4) fortitude..charity Gnomre -- a fifth virtue used to apply in situations where rules do not exist not deontoloigcal rule or duty based... not..teleologicalgoal based but... relational re the q what is Cod enabling & requiring me to do in the present moment? (135).. authentic conscience -allows for a mature & critical freedom thus from this perspective blind & uncritcal obedience is not only virtue it is a vive.. not simply m. Obligatin. non rational--- not irrational, but affective imag dimensions... Moral discerument 1) a "reading" of the sit. 2) persistent moral dispositions. 3) beliefs rules & principles (137) Foundaional Moral Ex is based on the affective response to the value of persons...Jdgnd appropriateness..1) chr dsflksdj 2) in light of values 3) fundamental option 4) community 5) H. Spirit.. Gratitude as essential response (146) Note Chr's discover they cannot dispose themselves definitely or completely to ... God all at once (147) woods-- Ch 1-- seminary "involves. acq. and refining habits of practices, enotions and dispositins appropriat to trust and loyalty to God" "(2) school of theolgy 1) formation 2) understanding the faith 3) equipping for
Fraministry.. Three Imp elements 1) prayer, 2) meditation 3)testing (p. 7)...Three componnts of Chr. Educ.. 1)
KNOW GOD: By Actually DOING
the
rational
Barth
Re
welata
FULLER •CONSCIOUSNESS NEW
LIGHT!
tensive steno
Poly-
Semic
OF
prude Justice
GRAHAude
to Dare to know.
educ in Chr. faith 2) educ in Chr life 3) educ for Chr ministry (16).. "foster an apt for reflection" Church leadership requires a well-developed aptitude for theol self-criticism. for theol underst of teh Chr faith, and (for theol crit of one's perf in leadership" (28) Woods opinion " a good theol school stresses their primary mission. to be theol. educk. then everything else will foliow" 934) Kant "what is enlightenement' to dare to know (36).. Facult gifts requiers certain gifts on the part of faculty and certain insights, about teaching and learning, and a certain environment if it is to happen, to enhance, rather than inder (31.. Knowledg of God born of obedience --raises Q's what is knowledge? what is obedience.. how to knew God/// one does not come to to a right knowledge of God by taking someone's word for t it...37... Be careful..we know that the more you are convinced of yor own sinfulness, weakness, stupidity, and the more anxious you abt that.. you may readilya ccept any solution...Luther was not sggesting this (39)0How to know God, one does come to know God by actually doing somethig, that is by obeyeing...(37... Hazards o f reliance of imagination.. (41) "in any case, the faily commont notion of imagination as a susbstitue for experience des not do justice to the complex relation btw imag & underst. (48)Classical Foundatnlsm "the logical rational systemof thought ste by Plato & Aristotle (70) Noetic Structure..H> O Natural Theolgy "the attempt to prove the existence of gods' HO.. Calvin...."CHristians dont need natural theol, eithr s the source of their confidence or to justify their belief" (HO 69)0 To be rational, then, is to exercise one's epistemic powers properly" Ho- - to a strong believer, living to prove one's faith simply seems offensive' Reformerd thinkers belief in God
53
M
EFFECTIVELY PROCLAIMED
"
How to know God? Obedience
Experience
ofGod, but the can become God's word and his revelation if and insofar as Jesus Christ the WOrd of God is pleased to sspeak to us through these chosen witnesses' (87) Thus "revelatio occurs whenever God's Word is eff. proclaimed and is received in faith, and never otherwise" (88)0 Emil Brunner "revelatin lieds byondall ratl arguments..proof is out ofour hands" (90) Merits of dialectic has Bibl basis, emph Word & Spirit, open "enc of God" to all..Criticism lacks inner coherence, no proof, the paradox of paradox (97) rvltn as new awareness "revltn is a transcendent fulfillment of th inner drive of the human spirit toward fuller consciosness." self-transcendence..the transcendent, the sound of his voice being made recognizable Wher WORD 17 by the fulness and coherence it contributes to our indiviual andcollective...(90>. State of mind "..God's effectively.
self-revleationin the depth of the sp person occurs primarily as a state of mind, not knowledge, but a consc.. (101) a new light "man see the world through a new light, and commits to a new action" (101) Rev. Events..are always shaking, transf, demanding, sign in an ultimate way" (102) What abt the Bible..? .."calls for an imaginative hermeneutcs" in which the text serves as a catalyst for our own imag capacities" (106).. Merits--avoids rigidity, avoids senitimentaliste, ..active role of humans, full context of hist.. "includes human respponsivenness and creative imagination" Criticism --not necc Biblical, prophets rev was spec message.. Interesting" adherents of our fifth model often have ambivalent feelings toward ecc
Emil Brunner Revelation
proclaimed
auths.." (113) Part II.. symbolic mediatin.. tensive symbols, steno symbols..what is symbl "naturalobjects, Barsh
historical persons, visible artifiacts, and dreams, can all be symbols" 9133)(Ritual symbolism R Sym acc to Mircea, effects a perm solid btw man and the sacred" and is thus able to carry on the process of hierophanization" (134) .. Exampe "kingdom of God" can represent or evoke a whole range or series of conceptions or ideas" (135) Plysemic "too seek to pin down some one dfinite meaning of the term K. of G.
CHARACTERwould be to overlook the polysemic character of symbolic comm" (136) CNB....ff...this is one day after an theolog concpt.. parameic mentions a wide variety of sp exp's amongs Chr and non-Chr's alike..what is a feeling vs
MEANINGS
eye opening parable... that undoubltly had significane..or willhave on the world... Woods aptitue for reflectionon Chr Faith..theoloy as grammar abt God..How to knowan exp of God.mentions global village
what is truly God (credibility issues)..maintaines eliz kubler ross 3things necc 1)reality of God 2) God, humanity and across connection (i.e revlatin 3) faith... Examine "theolgy as science about God, sacred doctrneas scien.. Thomas Aquinas. "diffrent than othersciences' Knowledge obtained is mediated...a derived science (i.e. it isnot a hard science) heuristics-rving as aid to earning.. by experiment or trial & error, utilize self-educaiton techniues (as eval of feedback to improve esformance... if it is a science you
Received
RAUAL
hierophan~ Eidolon
izatia
Perfect — here’s a fully revised Section 15 with “Woods” clarified and the content structured in the pattern we’ve been using:
15 – Knowledge, Conscience, Prayer, and Theological Formation
Narrative Summary
This section emphasizes the integration of knowledge, moral discernment, and authentic practice in Christian formation. Central to the discussion is the idea that true understanding of God comes not merely from intellectual assent but through obedience, reflection, prayer, and practical engagement. Theologians like Aquinas, Brunner, and Reformed thinkers are referenced alongside “Woods” (likely a modern seminary educator) to illustrate a pedagogy of formation, reflection, and praxis in theological education.
The section also explores moral conscience, emphasizing that moral virtue is not blind obedience to rules, but involves relational awareness, affective engagement, and responsiveness to God’s call in the present moment. Symbolism, revelation, and imagination are highlighted as mediating tools for understanding God’s action in the world.
Here’s a cleaned-up “Notes & Observations – Moral Knowledge, Conscience, and Revelation” version for Note 15, structured for clarity and readability:
Notes & Observations – Moral Knowledge, Conscience, and Revelation
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Knowledge & Moral Authenticity
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Connatura: moral knowledge is authentic when coherent and integrated with conscience and prayer.
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Aquinas: emphasizes reason and moral virtues:
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Prudence
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Justice
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Temperance
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Fortitude
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Charity and “Gnomre”: a fifth virtue applied in situations beyond formal rules.
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Moral Discernment & Conscience
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Authentic conscience allows mature, critical freedom; blind obedience is insufficient.
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Moral discernment involves:
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Reading the situation
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Persistent moral dispositions
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Beliefs, rules, and principles
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Foundational moral experience arises from affective responses to the value of persons.
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Components:
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Christian disfluencies
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Values orientation
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Fundamental options
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Community context
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Guidance of the Holy Spirit
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Gratitude is essential; Christians cannot fully dispose themselves to God immediately.
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Christian Education & Formation
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Seminary aims to refine habits, emotions, and dispositions for trust and loyalty to God.
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Three elements of Christian formation:
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Prayer
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Meditation
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Testing / reflection
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Three components of education:
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Knowledge of God by doing / obedience
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Education in Christian life
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Education for ministry
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Church leadership requires reflection, self-criticism, and theological understanding.
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Kant: “Dare to know” – education requires active engagement.
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Knowledge of God & Revelation
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Knowledge of God comes through obedience and experience, not mere instruction.
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Revelation occurs whenever God’s Word is effectively proclaimed and received in faith (Brunner).
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Dialectical method emphasizes Word and Spirit, openness, and human responsiveness.
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Revelation as new awareness: a transcendent fulfillment of human self-transcendence.
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Biblical events are transformative, demanding, and ultimate in significance.
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Symbolic Mediation & Hermeneutics
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Symbols: natural objects, historical persons, artifacts, and dreams can mediate meaning.
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Ritual symbolism (Mircea Eliade): creates a permanent link between humans and the sacred.
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Kingdom of God: polysemic; cannot be pinned to a single definition.
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Symbolic mediation allows engagement with both Christian and non-Christian experiences.
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Imaginative hermeneutics: text catalyzes human imagination, avoiding rigidity while promoting full historical and cultural context.
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Character & Reflection
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Theological reflection develops aptitude for interpreting faith.
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Theology as grammar of God: how humans understand and respond to divine experience.
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Credibility of God: requires recognition of reality, human-divine connection, and faith.
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Theology is a derived science: knowledge mediated, heuristic, and cultivated through trial, reflection, and self-education.
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If you want, I can also integrate Notes 15–19 into one cohesive, study-ready document, keeping headings, key points, and readable flow for seminary review. This would create a complete, structured “Notes & Observations” set. Do you want me to do that next?
Notes
1. Moral Virtue and Conscience (Aquinas & Woods)
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Moral virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, with charity as a relationally applied fifth virtue (Gnomre).
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Authentic conscience enables mature, critical freedom; blind obedience is insufficient.
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Moral discernment involves:
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“Reading” the situation
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Persistent moral dispositions
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Beliefs, rules, and principles
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Christian formation is incremental; total surrender to God occurs over time.
2. Seminary Formation (Woods)
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Seminary as training in habits, practices, emotions, and dispositions aligned with trust and loyalty to God.
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Three key elements: prayer, meditation, testing.
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Three components of Christian education:
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Knowledge of God through practice
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Education in Christian life
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Preparation for ministry
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Emphasizes aptitude for reflection, theological self-criticism, and understanding faith.
3. Knowledge of God and Obedience
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Knowledge arises through obedience and experience, not merely rational argument.
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Revelation occurs when God’s Word is effectively proclaimed and received in faith (Brunner).
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Revelation is a state of mind/consciousness, creating new light and prompting new actions.
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Biblical hermeneutics should encourage imaginative engagement and responsiveness to historical context.
4. Symbolism and Mediated Knowledge
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Symbols: natural objects, historical persons, artifacts, dreams.
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Ritual and polysemic symbolism connect humans to the sacred (Mircea Eliade).
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Polysemy emphasizes flexibility in meaning, avoiding rigid interpretation.
5. Ethics, Commandments, and Love
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Decalogue (T.C.) serves as a guide, not essence, for moral life.
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Two fundamental rights:
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To be left alone
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To be supported
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Justice and righteousness complement one another; moral life extends beyond legalism to altruism and love (agape).
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Christian love surpasses benevolence, asking for self-giving, relational engagement.
6. Prayer and Theosis
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Prayer moves from discursive → affective → unitive, enabling discernment of good and evil.
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Theosis: participation in divine life; integration of moral, social, and liturgical dimensions.
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Authentic love of God requires authentic love of neighbor; social justice is integral.
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Prayers as response:
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Gratitude
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Recommitment of one’s “fundamental yes” to God
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Discernment in decision-making
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7. Christian Formation Key Points (Woods)
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Formation is relational, experiential, and reflective, combining rational, affective, and practical dimensions.
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Faculty must facilitate insight, environment, and gifts for effective formation.
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Reliance on imagination alone is inadequate; practice and obedience mediate knowledge of God.
Key Terms
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Authentic Conscience: Mature freedom to discern God’s will relationally.
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Gnomre Virtue: Practical moral virtue for situations without rules.
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Polysemic Symbolism: Multiple valid interpretations for symbolic concepts.
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Theosis: Participation in divine life; moral and spiritual actualization.
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Revelation: Transcendent fulfillment of human spirit’s drive toward consciousness and obedience.
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Imaginative Hermeneutics: Engaging biblical texts creatively and responsively.
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Obedience as Knowledge: Acting faithfully is central to understanding God.
Here’s a refined, seminary-ready set of definitions for your latest Key Terms / Concepts, consistent in style with your previous entries:
📘 Key Terms / Concepts
Authentic Conscience
The mature capacity to discern and respond to God’s will relationally, integrating moral understanding, spiritual intuition, and personal responsibility. Authentic conscience is exercised in freedom, shaped by prayer, Scripture, and communal wisdom, rather than mere social conformity.Gnome / Practical Virtue
Derived from classical ethics, a gnome represents practical, situational moral wisdom. It emphasizes acting rightly in circumstances where general rules or laws do not clearly apply, combining prudence, experience, and ethical insight.Polysemic Symbolism
The principle that symbols—whether biblical, liturgical, or cultural—carry multiple valid layers of meaning. Polysemic symbols invite interpretation that is context-sensitive, dynamic, and participatory, allowing both personal and communal understanding.Theosis
The process of participating in the divine life, achieving moral, spiritual, and relational actualization in union with God. Theosis is both transformative and relational, moving the believer toward Christlike holiness while deepening communion with God.Revelation
God’s disclosure of truth that fulfills the human spirit’s innate longing for consciousness of and obedience to the divine. Revelation is both transcendent and formative, addressing intellect, will, and relational engagement with God.Imaginative Hermeneutics
A method of engaging Scripture that is creative, reflective, and responsive. It moves beyond literalism to explore narrative, metaphor, and theological depth, allowing believers to experience the text in ways that connect to lived reality and spiritual growth.Obedience as Knowledge
The principle that true understanding of God is inseparable from faithful action. Knowledge is not merely intellectual but enacted—obedience to God’s will manifests comprehension of divine truth and aligns the believer with God’s purposes.If you want, I can compile all of your defined terms so far (from Prophetic Paradox through Obedience as Knowledge) into a single, thematically organized, professional glossary for seminary or ministry study. This could be formatted with headings, dividers, and ready for PDF or DOCX export.
Unable to Decipher / Tentative
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Some shorthand (e.g., “H> O Natural Theology”) and abbreviations remain unclear.
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Exact identity of “Woods” is inferred as a seminary educator; original source not specified.
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Certain page references and shorthand notes (e.g., “HO.. Calvin…’”) need further bibliographic confirmation.
If you want, I can merge this with Sections 14 and prior to create a continuous, narrative-style summary of the entire theological and practical framework you’ve been compiling — making it fully coherent and connected across all sections.
Do you want me to do that next?
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