Subject: Sola Scriptura supported by bible? |
Bible Note: You wrote: "I realize that you probably consider this a heresy, but there are Christians that consider the garden story of Adam and Eve to be a parable." Non-thinking Christians, maybe. Some of the most important theological arguments made in the New Testament hinge on there being a single, historical pair of human parents. Romans 5 becomes meaningless if there was not a literal Adam, which in turn shaters everything Paul says about what it means to be "in Christ" as opposed to being "in Adam." Likewise, 1 Corinthians 15 compares Adam and Christ in the context of our human nature and our blessed future as children of God. The weight of Paul's argument crumbles unless we believe, as he did , that Adam was real. "It isn't out of God's character to tell parables at all. Jesus did it all the time." Nowhere in the Bible are parables presented as if they were historical accounts. Jesus told stories to illustrate theological truths. Nowhere are we led to believe that the prodigal son was a real individual, for example. The Old Testament historical accounts, however, must be taken as real if we are to believe the New Testament, since the OT had much to say about Jesus' person and ancestry as well. You wrote: "I think that people have made too much out of the Bible today. It has become an idol for many. They worship it more the Christ himself." The Psalmist wrote: "I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified YOUR WORD according to all Your name." --Psalm 138:2 and "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word." --Psalm 119:11-17 and "The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward." --Psalm 19:7-11 Seems I am in pretty good company for "making too much" out of God's Word. Where are such things said about the church, God's people? You wrote: "Christ indwells the church. We are his body." Yes, but that does not make us free from error. The Bible is free from error. You wrote: "The Bible is a book." Paul wrote: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." --2 Timothy 3:16-17 The same is not said of the church. The Bible is THE infallible standard. You wrote: "When it comes down to it, I go with the body of Christ." So you are acknowledging that there may be a difference in what some communions practice and what is found in Scripture. Furthermore, you choose to follow sinful human beings even when their teachings directly contradict God's infallible Word. Not terribly wise. You wrote: "We have the knowledge of the truth through the power of the Holy Spirit, not the Bible alone." Jesus said: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." --John 17:17 Notice that he did not say, "My church is truth." Incidentally, how do you know ANYTHING about the Holy Spirit apart from Him being revealed in the Bible? You wrote: "I beleive that God can reveal himself to us without the Bible" But does He, now that Scripture is complete? I would say, "not normally." In any case, however the Spirit works will be consistent with His written revelation. You concluded: "but the Bible is nothing without the Holy Spirit in us." What a horrible statement you have made here. God's Word is the truth, whether we are His children indwelt by the Holy Spirit, or His enemies. To say that the Bible is "nothing" unless we personally have the means to appreciate it is the height of humanistic arrogance, and pretty clearly demonstrates the value that the Bible has in your own life. --Joe! |