Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101502 | ||
Emmaus, yes, I know the post was yours, my friend. I was just referring to some reference book that someone else mentioned that, from what I understand, goes indepth into the meaning of the Bible words. It could be helpful. As to your being a Catholic Christian, that is between you and God as far as I'm concerned. I'm not even sure that I am a Christian so I'm certainly not in any position to judge anyone else. But I do understand what you are saying in reference to "father", though. In my particular translation, the next verse says not to call anyone "instructor" because Christ is the instructor. I am not sure why this particular label is not called into question. Maybe (only a guess) because in Western culture, we don't often address each other as "teacher" or "instructor." As I understand it, the Jewish word "rabbi" was frequently used to show deference and to acknowledge authority. But my culture doesn't often use such a designation. In grade school, my teachers told me to call them "Miss...(this or that" or "Mrs...(this or that)". "Teacher" or "instructor" was not often used. In college, things changed a little with "professor" but even that title only signifies one who professes something. Another reason that "instructor" may not receive as much attention is that Jesus never seemed to call God "Our Instructor Who art in heaven." He often referred to God as Father but I don't recall Him ever referring to God as "instructor" or "teacher." Nevertheless, the role was certainly there, wasn't it? Jesus said that He didn't say anything unless the Father told Him to say it and that He didn't do anything unless the Father told Him to do it. It is possible that the roles may have been interchangeable, don't you think? After all, fathers should be instructors. And somewhere the Bible says that Jesus Himself LEARNED OBEDIENCE. Now, there is one to make you scratch your head. That's my 2 cents. I certainly won't claim that it is the word of the Lord, just my opinion. But I admit that I am probably the world's worst Pharisee in that I often get caught up in the letter of the law and ignor the Spirit behind it. So keep that in mind. seeking4truth |
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2 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | BradK | 101558 | ||
Dear seeking4truth, I read your user info bio and feel lead to encourage you to be sure of your eternal standing:-) The Christian life is not left to uncertainty or guess-work. God desires us to know Him in a very real manner. Our faith is founded in fact. Here are 3 things to consider: 1. Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." We know 2 things about faith from this: One, we must believe that He (God) exists, and two, that He rewards those who seek Him. 2. Scripture give us the definition of Eternal Life in John 17:3. It says ; "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." This is one of the clearest statements in scripture. 3. The Bible tells us that we may KNOW that we have eternal life, not guess or be uncertain about it, but know! This is found in 1 John 5:11-13 where it reads ; "And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." May these scriptures help you as you seek for truth. Believe what is written in Luke 11:10 that,"For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Speaking the Truth In Love, BradK |
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3 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | seeking4truth | 101574 | ||
Hi BradK, I do appreciate your concern and thanks for caring. But I am in a place right now where (I know this is going to sound sacriligeous) quoting key scriptures just doesn't help me very much. Why? Isn't it because I don't believe the scriptures? Well, yes and no. I believe the scriptures are from God and are therefore infallible. But I don't believe that we interpret them infallibly. I know that I don't. I've been wrong so many times (while claiming to know for absolute certainty) that I no longer trust myself. And everytime I would have sworn that it was the Holy Spirit revealing truth to me. For example, I could list about 8 verses that seem to say that a person can lose their salvation. I could list about 8 that seem to say that salvation is eternal. I could list about 6 that seem to say that salvation is a progressive process. And I could list about 6 that seem to say that it is an event. So it is difficult for me to know what truth is anymore. That is why I am seeking it and what others may say about it. The beauty of a forum like this is it encourages us to look at more than one passage of scripture and to consider more than one viewpoint. I have a philosophy (and I admit that this may be wrong) that truth cannot be known UNTIL all the passages of scripture concerning a certain topic have been considered and there is no contradiction between them. Unfortunately, I find that Christians can (and do) argue about almost every doctrine and each one has their "pet" verses they use to substantiate their view. If you will find my post about Jesus' criteria for being a believer, you will see what I mean. (Sorry I don't have the link) But Jesus listed criteria for believers in Mark 16 that I just don't meet. So by His own words, I am not a believer (at least, not in the sense that He requires). I tend to think that I believe in Jesus like I believe in Abraham Lincoln. He lived, He died, He ascended, He will return. But I do not speak in tongues, pick up serpents, drink poison, heal the sick, thread on scorpions nor can my faith move an anthill, let alone a mountain. So by Jesus' own estimation and definition, I am not a believer. And I don't know if I ever will have that kind of faith in Him to do those things. I know, that makes me not worthy of the kingdom. What can I do? I guess all I can do is to trust that He sees my heart and that somehow His grace will be sufficient for me when it is all said and done. Thanks again for caring, BradK. If I relied on ONLY John 17:3 and 1 John 5:11-13, I might have some hope. But I know way too many other passages that say that I must endure to the end to be saved, or that I must be baptized to be saved, or that even acknowledging that He is Lord AND doing some of the miracles that He listed as signs of true believers is not enough. He still says to depart from Him. All I can do is to be like Job and say that though He slay me, yet I'll have to trust that His judgement is right. seeking4truth |
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4 | I'm skeptical | Luke 14:26 | BradK | 101593 | ||
seeking4truth, I followed your answer and argument, for the most part:-) To preface my response to you, at some point you must believe by FAITH! You must accept what God has said through His Word- by faith. Jesus said said that He is the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and further that His Word is TRUTH ( John 14:6, 17:17). Christ inextricably links both Himself and His Word as being truth! Unfortunately, time doesn't allow me to provide a detailed response to all the questions you pose. I'll address two quick points: 1. Yes, I do also agree that OUR interpretation of scripture can at times be in error as we are fallen. However, the majority of scripture is easily understood by someone who approaches it in faith, humbly seeking truth (2 Tim. 2:15)It's meanings are not hidden to only those with special or complete knowledge, nor is God the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). 2. A proper and systematic understanding of Biblical Interpretation can be very helpful( if not essential) to correct understanding of God's Word. Along with that comes the absolute NEED to properly consider CONTEXT! Most of the examples you gave me, can-in my estimation- be resolved by the context ( Mark 16, enduring to the end to be saved, etc.). If you would like some resources in this area, let me know. I would posit that all of us would be disqualified as a believer based upon Mark 16! Remember, my friend that Eph. 2:8-9 is the key to our salvation: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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