Do differences in practices of faith mean we follow the same Jesus Christ? (reject, gospel)

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Except when the basic cornerstone of our truth is contained in and informed by an ancient collection of even more ancient writings

Perhaps you only think it is. How would you even recognize it as "truth" if the truth weren't already something you possess? And if you do possess it, why can't you give up living by the written code and instead live by the truth within you that recognizes it in what you read in ancient books?

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Perhaps you only think it is. How would you even recognize it as "truth" if the truth weren't already something you possess? And if you do possess it, why can't you give up living by the written code and instead live by the truth within you that recognizes it in what you read in ancient books?

Perhaps I, and every other Christian who comprise the Body of Christ, believe it is! We recognize it as truth, because it resonates with that part of God that is already in us -- we were created good, after all. We do possess it, and that's precisely why we don't give up living by it. The scriptures are so deeply layered with truth that we could embrace the Bible for several lifetimes and still not garner everything it has to offer us, as well as read and say again and again the things that are truth, that bear repeating.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Perhaps I, and every other Christian who comprise the Body of Christ, believe it is!

Well then it should be read as the same truth every time, right? So why do you have a dozen lengthy threads going on with different "Christians" arguing about the "truth" that is so self-evident in the words of the Bible?

Perhaps the truth is an experience rather than strings of words.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Well then it should be read as the same truth every time, right? So why do you have a dozen lengthy threads going on with different "Christians" arguing about the "truth" that is so self-evident in the words of the Bible?

Perhaps the truth is an experience rather than strings of words.

Maybe we should all just sit around and stare vapidly at our computer monitors, just "dwelling on the truthy-goodness." But then, we wouldn't have a forum, would we? Maybe we should all just sit at home in our closets and bask in that truthy-goodness. But then, we wouldn't have a community, would we?

We assign words to concepts so we can talk about them with each other. Different aspects, or perspectives of truth are still truth. it's precisely the sharing of them that helps us to grow. I suggest that it's not the differences, themselves, that are counter productive, but the attachments we place upon any particular POV, juxtaposed against those of others.

[madhatter85]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Think of dynamics. when a bow is drawn back, it is potential energy. When the bowstring is released, it's kinetic energy. when the servant buried his talent, that was potential. He had potential to do great things. But he did not. When the other servant invested his talents, he doubled his earnings. That's kinesis. The point I'm making is that God is interested, not in what we're capable of, but what we actually do with it.

umm, doing something means achieveing potential. buring means to be stagnant.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by madhatter85

umm, doing something means achieveing potential. buring means to be stagnant.

Umm, "doing something" means putting the potential into action. "Potential" means unreleased action.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by sojourner

Maybe we should all just sit around and stare vapidly at our computer monitors, just "dwelling on the truthy-goodness." But then, we wouldn't have a forum, would we? Maybe we should all just sit at home in our closets and bask in that truthy-goodness. But then, we wouldn't have a community, would we?

Why not? I find it curious that you think there can be no discussion unless everyone is sure they are each right.

Of course, we could also arbitrarily decide which combination of words is the "truth" and then pompously proclaim that all who don't accept it are not part of the "body of Christ". Or argue about it ceaselessly. That's a good solution, too.

Originally Posted by sojourner

We assign words to concepts so we can talk about them with each other. Different aspects, or perspectives of truth are still truth. it's precisely the sharing of them that helps us to grow. I suggest that it's not the differences, themselves, that are counter productive, but the attachments we place upon any particular POV, juxtaposed against those of others.

Sure it does . . . provided I'm not so sure that my string of words is so true that I can't even listen to another POV. Ever notice how arguments in which neither side knows anything about what they hell they are arguing about never seem to go anywhere?

That's certainly your prerogative. But I'm not surprised at the results.

[Scuba Pete]

Originally Posted by sojourner

That's great! I love it! You have a wonderful understanding of what it means to be a follower. The problem is, that some folks don't understand your first sentence. Instead, they think that all they need is to "read the Bible" and come to some sort of misguided intellectualism, based upon nothing but their own vapid thoughts. That's where scholarship comes in handy. As I said, wisdom is the end we have in mind. Scholarship is one tool we can use to help us get there.

For a scholar you sure missed the point on that one!

THE SPIRIT will guide us into understanding. The more you ACT on what the Spirit reveals, the more you will UNDERSTAND how to ACT. It has very little to do with Scholarship and EVERYTHING to do with the state of your heart.