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Christians - Bible Interpretation

Baerly

Active Member
Drummrguy, If you want go to gospelpreceptor.com and look up a lesson by
Fred E. Dennis entitled "Can We All Understand The Bible Alike?
gospelpreceptor.com/DennisF2htm.

Also Look at a lesson called "Standard of Authority" / By Chuck Northrop
URL: http://www.gospelpreceptor.com/Northrp8.htm - 13k - 01 May 2004

The Gospel Preceptor is a great place to get good bible lessons. in love Baerly
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
Baerly said:
Drummrguy, If you want go to gospelpreceptor.com and look up a lesson by
Fred E. Dennis entitled "Can We All Understand The Bible Alike?
gospelpreceptor.com/DennisF2htm.

The Gospel Preceptor is a great place to get good bible lessons. in love Baerly

Baerly -

That website clearly has an agenda - right there on the homepage.

Something against Mormonism.
 

Baerly

Active Member
WE have not taped the mouth of our Lord. It is not a matter of what man has done to God,but rather God has decided to put his message within the New Testament. He said it is sufficient and has ALL things that pertain to life and godliness (2Peter 1:3). I trust those very words of our Lord. in love Baerly
 

Baerly

Active Member
beckysoup61 said:
Baerly -

That website clearly has an agenda - right there on the homepage.

Something against Mormonism.

There only agenda is to preach the word of God I assure you. I urge you to look into those lessons,check them out. in love baerly
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
angellous_evangellous said:
My comment is not directed towards you, Terry, but only to the dead God that can only speak in Scripture.

I say, "Would that God were alive today"

Answer: "But God speaks in his word."

My response: "Then He is mute, and if God cannot speak, He may as well be mute."

It's not a matter of not recognizing God but taping his mouth shut with his own words.

I tend to agree that Books including the Bible only contain a record of the past of both history and philosophy; books do not speak they can not answer new questions.

It takes the interpretation and inspiration from a living God to bring the message to life.
This interpretation of the message is not fixed in time, but is reinterpreted in each generation.
God continues to work with in us, It is up to us to recognize and proclaim the truths.
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Baerly said:
There only agenda is to preach the word of God I assure you. I urge you to look into those lessons,check them out. in love baerly

God has many messages.
Through out the ages he has spoken to all peoples.
he has done this in the way each age and people can understand.

Do not shut out Gods message to us today by limiting God's power to speak to us.
The latterday Saints have and still receive their Guidance though their Prophet.

the numerous other Christian denominations also commune with God. Some shut their ears and say " God speaks no more, we have the final Message in our version of the Bible"

That is to deny God's living word to us today.
God is not shut away in the past, God speaks to us still.
Would you deny his ability to communicate, by limiting his message to those words man recorded in their Bibles.
 

Bishka

Veteran Member
Baerly said:
There only agenda is to preach the word of God I assure you. I urge you to look into those lessons,check them out. in love baerly

Not when it preaches hate and intolerance of another Christian faith it isn't.

Baerly,

You can't seriously tak ethe websites word on anything can you?
 

PureX

Veteran Member
drummrguy14 said:
Here's another issue I've been dealing with lately...

In my discussions with my girlfriend, I have discovered just how literally she takes the Bible. She takes it to be 100% fact, not metaphorical, not interpretable...but that it is God's infallible word.

I on the other hand, believe most of it to be metaphorical...I find that more people can be touched by God's word that way, and in doing so draw nearer to Him, so why wouldn't he want that?

I'm interested in hearing some other opinions about this, as well as maybe some advice on how to talk about the Bible with someone who takes it so literally.

thanks!
All written text must be interpreted. Every word written in english (and other languages, too) has several definitions, and as we read we must decide what definition is intended by the context in which each word has been placed with the other words, which themselves have multiple definitions. There is so much variation involved in the act of communicating through written language that it's inevitable that different people will understand the same bit of text somewhat differently. However, your girlfriend may not be willing to accept such rationality.

My suggestion would be for you two to discuss the fact that you have different understandings and interpretations of the words in the text (not argue over who's interpretation is "God's will") and develop a position of mutual respect toward each other's views and relationship with God.
 

Baerly

Active Member
Terrywoodenpic said:
God has many messages.
Through out the ages he has spoken to all peoples.
he has done this in the way each age and people can understand.

Yes,and the bible says when you read you will understand (Eph.3:3,4)(2Tim.3:14-17).

Do not shut out Gods message to us today by limiting God's power to speak to us.
The latterday Saints have and still receive their Guidance though their Prophet.

It is not I that is limiting the word of God. I just read and understood what (Jude 3) and (2Peter 1:3) says. The message was ONCE DELIVERED and it had all things pertaining to life and godliness when it was delivered in the first century. It is called the PERFECT (or complete) word of God (James 1:25) (GAl.6:2). If the bible taught any other thing I would believe it. The bible said those miracles and divine knowledge was to cease in the first century or soon after (1Cor.13:8-10). It was Only by the 12 apostles hands that the gifts of the Holy Spirit could be passed along to other people (Acts 6:6 ; 8:18). Once the bible was wrote there was no need for the gifts any more. I would be more than glad to study this topic with you anytime.The gifts confirmed the word and the speaker (Mark16:20) (Heb.2:3,4).

the numerous other Christian denominations also commune with God. Some shut their ears and say " God speaks no more, we have the final Message in our version of the Bible"

I do not belong to any denomination. I belong to the Lords church. He said he would build only one in (Mt.16:18).Jesus is the head (Col.1:18) (Eph.1:2,23).The body is made up of christians.

Isn't it possible that those people think they are communing with God but in fact they have been deceived (2Cor.11:13-15)?

That is to deny God's living word to us today.
God is not shut away in the past, God speaks to us still.
Would you deny his ability to communicate, by limiting his message to those words man recorded in their Bibles.

I do not wish to deny you of anything. I cannot but believe God when he says he gave us all things pertaining to life and godliness within the bible. He said it was once delivered. (Jude3) (2Peter 1:3) . When you have ALL of something you do not wait for more,there is no more to be had if God give us ALL of it. ANd that is what he said in the bible.

Let me say this,If what you believe and taught harmonized with the bible I would believe it and teach it to others (2Tim2:2).Have you ever wondered why people tell you not to believe the most popular book in the world. A book which most religious people believe to be truth (Gal. 1:6-9)(John 17:17). The bible says if even an ANGEL says anything other than what is wrote in the bible it is a perverted gospel and the person saying it is to be cut off from GOD. Please see how serious this is to me. I do not wish to upset no one. I just wish to teach you the truth I have found. Please believe me these are not my words,but the very words of Jesus. There have been times I found I taught things contrary to the bible,it was when I learned what the bible taught that I repented and taught truth found within the bible. I truly believe it and try my best to follow it. It cannot be proven to be wrong. Truth is truth no matter which way you look at it.---- in love Baerly
 

Baerly

Active Member
Beckysoup61 writes:
Not when it preaches hate and intolerance of another Christian faith it isn't.

Baerly,

You can't seriously tak ethe websites word on anything can you?
___________________________


Becky I have studied long and hard to try and understand the word of God. That site harmonizes with the bible as best I can tell. I am saddened at the thought that truth seems to be narrow minded, but I did not write the book (BIBLE),I am only trying to study it. I am sure all the lessons on thepreachersfiles.com and the gospel preceptor have been worked up out of love for the souls,for your souls even. If the message seems to be narrow minded it is that way only because it is what the bible teaches. I beg of you to please let us try and show you where and how we get those lessons from the bible.The bible does talk about a narrow way and only a few will get through that way (Matt.7:13,14). I do not think I am low because I care enough about your souls and others to spend some of my time trying to teach you. Especially when I get called all kinds of ugly names.It matters not to me what people say or what names they call me. I have taught a few people about the truth of the bible and it is a joy teaching someone something that I KNOW cannot be proven wrong.-------in love Baerly
 

Baerly

Active Member
beckysoup61 said:
Not when it preaches hate and intolerance of another Christian faith it isn't.

Baerly,

You can't seriously tak ethe websites word on anything can you?

The bible nor thepreachersfiles or The Gospel Preceptor preaches or condones hate of anyone. The bible does condone hate of SIN because the bible says God hates SIN (Proverbs 6:16-19). We are to have the mind of God (Phil.2:5) (1Cor.2:16).

The bible says there is only one faith,not many according to (Eph.4:5). Right here is where many people and religious groups have jumped track. They assume God condones many different faiths and many different churches,when actually the word of God says just the opposite. There is only one kind of Christian,not many . Great harm is done by teaching people we can all can agree to disagree.The bible says to speak the same thing and walk by the same rule (1Cor.1:8-10) (Phil.3:16).

We are not to be tolerant of those who do not obey the word of God which is found within the bible. We are told by Jesus to mark those who cause division by not walking by the same rule and minding the same thing (Rom.16:17) (Phil.3:16,17).The bible tells us to separate ourselves from such people and not to even eat with them (1Cor.5) (2Thess.3:6,14).This is done so that the individuals souls might be saved (1Cor.5:5).

We can take anyones teaching serious (IF) what they teach can be found within the bible (John 5:39) (Acts 17:11). This is the main problem,many accept the words they are told without checking it out. One must look to the bible and it alone for spiritual guidance according to (Gal.1:6-9) (Jude3) (2Peter1:3).

in love Baerly
 
A

angellous_evangellous

Guest
I love it when people bold what they think is important as if we can't read.
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Baerly said:
The bible nor thepreachersfiles or The Gospel Preceptor preaches or condones hate of anyone. The bible does condone hate of SIN because the bible says God hates SIN (Proverbs 6:16-19). We are to have the mind of God (Phil.2:5) (1Cor.2:16).

The bible says there is only one faith,not many according to (Eph.4:5). Right here is where many people and religious groups have jumped track. They assume God condones many different faiths and many different churches,when actually the word of God says just the opposite. There is only one kind of Christian,not many . Great harm is done by teaching people we can all can agree to disagree.The bible says to speak the same thing and walk by the same rule (1Cor.1:8-10) (Phil.3:16).

We are not to be tolerant of those who do not obey the word of God which is found within the bible. We are told by Jesus to mark those who cause division by not walking by the same rule and minding the same thing (Rom.16:17) (Phil.3:16,17).The bible tells us to separate ourselves from such people and not to even eat with them (1Cor.5) (2Thess.3:6,14).This is done so that the individuals souls might be saved (1Cor.5:5).

We can take anyones teaching serious (IF) what they teach can be found within the bible (John 5:39) (Acts 17:11). This is the main problem,many accept the words they are told without checking it out. One must look to the bible and it alone for spiritual guidance according to (Gal.1:6-9) (Jude3) (2Peter1:3).

in love Baerly

You're proof-texting so much, that it's difficult to pinpoint just what you do believe, and how you come to that belief.

So...people cannot be allowed to have differing perspectives of the Church, of God, of salvation??? To say that is to enter the dangerous arena offering up differing faith-journeys as "right" or "wrong." Who's going to make that determination??? In your scenario, who's "right?" Anyone who happens to agree with you?

When all Christians say that they proclaim Jesus as Lord, what are they saying that is "different?" Are they not speaking the same thing when they state this basic essential of the faith? My Bible says, "Walk in love as Christ has loved us..." Do all Christians not walk in love???

And yet, Luke tells the story (9:49ff) of tolerance of those who "don't belong."

Hospitality toward the stranger is one of the greatest tenets of the Bible. (Read Luke 10 again...)To take this passage out of context and twist it into some kind of general teaching on narrow intolerance is irresponsible, because it makes the entire Biblical message hang on a specific word spoken to a specific audience about a specific situation. Even the 2 Thess. passage says to not regard these "different" folks as enemies, but brothers. In other words, it's OK to eat with someone who's your brother. These two (I Cor. 5 and 2 Thess.) are completely unrelated passages, dealing with different problems in different congregations. In your treatment of these passages, they actually come off as contradictory to each other.:sheep:

 

Baerly

Active Member
angellous_evangellous said:
I love it when people bold what they think is important as if we can't read.

I think every word we find in the bible is important. I am sure I am not the first to imphasize certain words. There is nothing wrong with it. Many do get upset at those words that are bold,or so I have found.
 

Baerly

Active Member
In response to Sojourner

Stating that Jesus is Lord is not the only basic essential of the faith. I realize that is what many of the denominations teach though.

The bible says to teach No other doctrine (1Tim.1:3).

Even if an angel teaches any other doctrine than that which ye have received,let him be accursed (or cut off from God) (Gal.1:6-9).

Walk by the same rule mind the same thing (Phil.3:16).

Speak the same thing (1Cor.1:10).

Speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11).

These are not my thoughts but the very words of God (1Cor.14:37).

Whatever (Luke 9:49) teaches it cannot be condoning denominations because there were no denominations at that time. These people were doing miracles or at the least casting out demons.To have that power one would have to be sent of God. Even Nichodemus notice that in (John 3:2). It is very possible others had been sent out, other than the chosen apostles. So this does not prove that being a part of another church is condoned by the Lord.The test is if they are teaching what the bible teaches (1John 4:1-6).

The (2Thess.3:6,14,15) passage does say to be kind to the person.There is no need to ever be mean and ugly to people. But that does not negate the fact that Jesus said to Mark them,withdraw from them,and not eat with them if they do not walk according to the teachings of Jesus.Anyone who does eat with those who have been disfellowshipped should be disciplined too.

My friend Jesus said NOT to eat with your brother if he is caught up in wilfull sin in (1Cor.5:9-11).I am sorry ,but I will have to believe the Lords words over yours. The incident in (1Cor.5) was still over sin. This withdrawal is to happen when anyone is involved in ongoing continual wilfull sin. I know this subject pretty well I have been involved on both sides of this issue. It is painful to apply,it is sad to have to do it,but if we love our brethren we will do it to save his soul (1Cor.5:5).

Continual sin is not covered by the blood of Jesus according to (Heb.10:26-31).

in love Baerly
 
A

angellous_evangellous

Guest
Baerly said:
Stating that Jesus is Lord is not the only basic essential of the faith. I realize that is what many of the denominations teach though.

The bible says to teach No other doctrine (1Tim.1:3).

Even if an angel teaches any other doctrine than that which ye have received,let him be accursed (or cut off from God) (Gal.1:6-9).

Walk by the same rule mind the same thing (Phil.3:16).

Speak the same thing (1Cor.1:10).

Speak as the oracles of God (1Peter 4:11).

These are not my thoughts but the very words of God (1Cor.14:37).


I suppose this is an excellent argument against all Protestant denomenations. The only solution is for us to abandon sola scriptura, which is the foundation of all disparate heterodox teachings and trust the Church tradition of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches (or otherwise orthodox) who actually teach and have taught the same thing since Christ. No church outside of these traditional Churches can trace their theology back to Christ (Roman catholics, of course, hit a major roadblock in 1054).

Whatever (Luke 9:49) teaches it cannot be condoning denominations because there were no denominations at that time. These people were doing miracles or at the least casting out demons.To have that power one would have to be sent of God. Even Nichodemus notice that in (John 3:2). It is very possible others had been sent out, other than the chosen apostles. So this does not prove that being a part of another church is condoned by the Lord.The test is if they are teaching what the bible teaches (1John 4:1-6).

I agree, but there were churches who taught slightly different doctrines. We see this problem erupting in Galatians 2, where Paul confronts Peter and the subsequent meeting in Acts 15. We also see Paul teaching justification by faith and James teaching justification by works.
 

shema

Active Member
drummrguy14 said:
Mike182 -

Yes, thank you. I agree with you about Jesus teaching in metaphorical parables, and about creation with Adam and Eve...just to further the discussion, how would you respond to this:
It's God's word. Why would it be in the Bible if it wasn't true?

Thanks for your input :)

If Jesus specified metaphorical parables, then I would take the bible literal unless otherwise specified that it is a metaphor.

Adam and eve had many children, but they were the main characters.
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
Whatever (Luke 9:49) teaches it cannot be condoning denominations because there were no denominations at that time. These people were doing miracles or at the least casting out demons.To have that power one would have to be sent of God. Even Nichodemus notice that in (John 3:2). It is very possible others had been sent out, other than the chosen apostles. So this does not prove that being a part of another church is condoned by the Lord.The test is if they are teaching what the bible teaches (1John 4:1-6).

It is talking about accepting those of different groups. That's why the phrase "not one of us" is used. BTW, there were "different groups at that time." There were Pharisees, Essenes; there were John's disciples and Jesus' disciples. While not called "denominations," they were certainly different from one another, and they taught different things from each other. Further, there is evidence that Jesus had associated himself with both the Pharisees and Essenes.

So...just because someone espouses a particular denomination, that person could not also be "of God?"

Now you're contradicting yourself. "It is very possible that others were sent out..." But you've said that there were not different denominations. How do you reconcile that statement with this one?

Case in point. Either we're all considered to be "of the same ilk," regardless of origin, or we're not.

Jesus didn't "teach what the Bible teaches." The Bible -- as we know it -- didn't exist then. What, then, is to be our standard? If not sola scriptura, on what shall our doctrine stand? Jesus embraced several groups that taught different things -- yet they all had one thing in common: Belief in God. Perhaps that is the most basic, most important tenet of the faith...

If you're so at issue with denomination, why are you not an Orthodox Christian? They have not split and formed "other" groups. They are not a "denomination." Their tradition has not changed since the first century.
 

Baerly

Active Member
angellous_evangellous said:
[/b]

I suppose this is an excellent argument against all Protestant denomenations. The only solution is for us to abandon sola scriptura, which is the foundation of all disparate heterodox teachings and trust the Church tradition of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches (or otherwise orthodox) who actually teach and have taught the same thing since Christ. No church outside of these traditional Churches can trace their theology back to Christ (Roman catholics, of course, hit a major roadblock in 1054).

It is my understanding that the RC church had its begining about 303 A.D.

There was a church which had its begining on the day of Pentecost in (Acts 2). I am a member of that church (Rom 16:16). It was prophecied in the O.T. The church of Christ would be built at that time (Isaiah 2) (Joel 2) (Daniel 2:44). It was purchased with the blood of Jesus (Acts 20:28). It should bear his name since he purchased it with his own blood.The church is the bride of Christ and the bride wears the name of the husband.



I agree, but there were churches who taught slightly different doctrines. We see this problem erupting in Galatians 2, where Paul confronts Peter and the subsequent meeting in Acts 15. We also see Paul teaching justification by faith and James teaching justification by works.

There were Individuals in those same churches of Christ in each city teaching things contrary to the word of God. They were corrected by letters being sent to each church of Christ by the apostles. Paul said those letters were the commandments of the Lord (1Cor.14:37). in love Baerly
 

Baerly

Active Member
Sojourner wrote: There were Pharisees, Essenes; there were John's disciples .

Baerly writes: Yes, and that was during Old Testament times and before Jesus died upon the cross.Those who obey the words of Jesus are in Christ and the bible says there is only one way INTO CHRIST,one must be baptized (Gal.3:27). That is if you have a reliable translation.There are many mistranslations out there that are leading many astray. That makes me sad.

True to prove a person is "of God " one would do as (Acts 17:11) and (John 5:39) says to do. Go to the bible and see if what they teach is what the bible says. It is not hard to tell if they are or if they are not following the bible. We can understand the bible according to (Eph.3:3,4) and (2Tim.3:14-17). If the bible says to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing,it can be done (Phil.3:16).It will take some studying and some determination to to so,but it can be done.

I did not contradict myself,remember Luke was about things that happened before Jesus died. The New Testament did not start until the death of Jesus. A mans will is not any effect until the death of the testater (Heb.9:15-17). There was no church at all till the death of Jesus and the first gospel sermon preached in (Acts 2:36-47).

What determines if we are a member of the church or not is ( IF) we do the commandments of the Lord (John 10:27) (Mt.19:17).

Sourjourner writes: Jesus didn't "teach what the Bible teaches." The Bible -- as we know it -- didn't exist then.

Baerly writes : The apostle Paul said that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord (1Cor.14:37). The Holy Spirit brought to their (the apostles) remembrance all things Jesus said to them and they wrote those words down (John 14:26 ; 16:13). So it was the Holy Spirit that moved each apostle to write each word Jesus ever said to them which was doctrine (2Peter 1:20-21). So our bible is what Jesus taught. That would make our bible the very words of Jesus and OUR STANDARD (John 12:48).WE will be judged by those words of Jesus according to (John 12:48).Our deeds will be Judged by the word of God (2Cor.5:10), (Rom.14:12), (2Cor.11:15), (Rev.20:12).

I do not know anything about the Christian Orthodox. I would like to learn about them. in love Baerly
 
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