Subject: Sola Scriptura supported by bible? |
Bible Note: You responded to my saying that you think that the information in the Bible should not be trusted in this way: "That is not what I have said at all." However, in the post immediately previous to this one, you said: "Faith in Christ means trusting that He is faithful when we are not. That He is right when we are not. So my trust is in Him, not the Bible or any particular interpretation of it." Again, you said that you trust Christ, not the Bible, as if they communicated different things. You wrote: "The battles over doctrine are nothing more than human pride." Paul wrote (not that it matters to you): "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them." --Romans 16:17 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." --1 Timothy 6:3-5 "For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." --Titus 1:7-9 "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." --Titus 2:1 John agrees: "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." --2 John 1:9 There is a direct link between sound teaching and doctrine and having Christ. Striving over truth and doctrine are not "sources of pride," but the key to truly knowing Christ. You wrote: "You see, you missed it again. The Bible says there is only one church, one faith, one baptism." Yes, so in your opinion that means that ANY groupd that identifies itself as "the church" is indeed the church? Where is the deviding line between those who are Christians (i.e. in the church) and those who are not? Different organizations calling themselves "the Church" have contradictory answers? You keep avoiding that issue. Please define for us what is "THE CHURCH." No circumlocution, no frittering around the issue. According to you, what is the church, and what is your authority for defining what the church is? Regarding the use of the word profitable in other contexts, you wrote: "Niether of them mention scripture. They are more concerned with our behavior than our Biblical knowledge." So what? 2 Timothy 3:16 connects it directly with Scripture. Scripture is profitable. Lastly, if you think that sound teaching and proper knowledge about the things of God is not important to Paul, then you have no understanding whatsoever of the bulk of Paul's epistles. Go read Romans 1-11. Pure, unadulterated theology. The directions for living come later, but the first eleven chapters are nothing but information about God, information about us, information about Jesus Christ and what He accomplished, original sin, the role of God's law, the life of the redeeemed and our struggle with sin, our future hope, God's sovereign choice, the nation of Israel and how it fits into the grand scheme of redemption. And you think that truth is secondary to Paul...Looking at the structure of the epistles, we have Paul giving biblical TRUTH and then telling believers to LIVE according to that theological truth. That is so obvious to anyone who takes the time to look that this doesn't even merit debate. You wrote: 'I believe the scriptures are inspired and "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".' Do you believe the Scriptures are uniquely "God-breathed"? No, your posts show your confidence that someone today could write something on par with Scripture. To you they are merely good books. Not the very words of God. If you are rejecting the authority of God's message, I must say that you are seriously in trouble and, yes, in need of the correction Paul mentioned in the passages above. --Joe! |