Bible Question:
JVH0212 I think I understand, I think? I still have the concern that someone that may be looking for direction or an answer to a question and may stumble upon the erroneous response and decide since it hasn’t been challenged by other contributors it must be correct. JVH0212 I think (my opinion) it is fair to challenge another man’s interpretation of the Bible. Many times we read what we are conditioned by environment and previous training to read. We assume more than anyone of us care to imagine. It was said by someone else in the forum and of course it was refuted, but I still believe it to be true. ‘We all have religious beliefs that have been influenced to some degree by others’. All the ideas we have about God, man, sin and salvation are not just ideas formed purely by reading the Bible. I further submit that when we do read the Bible these ideas, beliefs, reconceived notions, and prejudices effect how we comprehend what we are reading. Have you seen the example of the 6 hidden “f’s” in a story. They are hidden in the word “if’ and most people reading English do not focus on “if” as a word therefore they can only find the two or three “f”s in other words used but cannot find the ones in the word “if”. All three men you mentioned are in fact very intelligent theologians, however they too stand at opposite corners, on a few issues. Experts don’t always agree, nor should anyone expect them too. I suspect(I guess)there must be over 100 translations of the Bible, because either a person or a team felt they could do a better job than the previous. The original or manuscript languages are not as cut and dried as many believe. Look how many times there are misunderstandings here in the forum and I think we are all talking English. One of the biggest things in life I learned is that, things that appear obvious to me are not always so obvious to everyone. When someone responds to a question, answer or note different than I did I must first ask myself what did they see that I didn’t and what is it I see they don’t? I have had threads that have ran 20 or more responses and to this day I don’t believe many of the people that responded understood what I was asking. It was because language in fluid and what communicates to one person does not always say the same thing to another. Let me say I'm not trying to convince you on anything or to judge what you did. I just felt a need to express my opinion. |
Bible Answer: EdB: Of course you may express your opinion. It is your Constitutional right to do so. Thank you for your posting. I agree with most, if not all, of it. In fact, I wish I had been the one to say it that way. :-) One of the many points you make with which I agree and appreciate is regarding how everything we are and everything we have been exposed to influences (consciously or otherwise) how we interpret any given verse of scripture. Not a few times, when I have heard or read a sound biblical exposition of a certain passage or doctrine, have I needed to revise my former interpretation based on my new understanding of what the Bible actually says and clearly teaches. The Bible alone is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. I know from my own experience of looking things up in various study Bibles, that even experts do not always agree. However, in the study Bibles and sources I use, written by men of various times, places and church affiliations, I have found that the points of disagreement are very minor in both number and significance. And there is much more harmony than disharmony among their various interpretations, definitions and explanations. I have repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly stated in many postings that: no man, no author, no church, no forum member, etc., is infallible. Only the Bible is infallible and only in the original manuscripts in the original languages. And not a few times I have acknowledged that I do not necessarily agree with every word of every one of my frequently used sources. I have no problem at all with others expressing opinions contrary to mine. But, it is still true that while every man has a right to his own opinion, no man has the right to be wrong in his facts. This requires a little effort on the part of the individual. Ascertaining the facts will not come by osmosis, asking the guy at the next desk, seeking the opinion of the next guy on the assembly line, reading the Reader's Digest Condensed Bible, daydreaming or any such way. It will come as the result of a diligent search of the scriptures mingled with much prayer. It will come from the scriptures, using sound principles of interpretation and with the aid of such resources as are availalbe, including, but not limited to: an English dictionary, a good Bible dictionary, a concordance, perhaps one or more Greek word studies, and some knowledge of the archaeology, history and customs of the time and people referred to or addressed at the time of the writing of the scriptures. Also, if we in general (not meaning you and I, Ed) cannot even agree on the meaning of commonly used English words or define the terms used in the questions and answers, then we are not quite ready to debate the scriptures. Finally, there are responses and there are responses. But the assertion that the Holy Spirit is Gods (sic) holy angles (sic), his most trusted and loyal, goes beyond a mere casual observation. To say that the Holy Spirit is angels borders on blasphemy. Nor was it given and correctly labeled as an opinion, but was asserted as absolute truth when indeed it is absolute nonsense. I do not deny being a little touchy where the very character and nature of God is concerned. Again I remind you, EdB, that I happily agree with the vast majority, if not all, of your post to which I am replying. I have no quarrel with you. I value your input and respect you as a fellow believer and seeker of Bible truth. Take care. Grace to you. :-) JVH0212 |