Eph 4:11ff " And He gave some as apostles, and
some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers for
the equipping of the saints [in] their work of service, to the building up of
the body of Christ [and will do so] until we attain to the unity of The Faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man [or woman], to the
measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ."
As I see it, Bill and others quote whoever for the same reason we have preachers and teachers. There is a progressive logic that presents Bill with his theological conclusions, more so than a Bible thumper such as myself, but, and it is clear to me, in the final analysis, brother Taylor insists that his conclusion measure up to the biblical message as he understands that message. In other words, he is as Bible based as any one. However, the observation still applies that when we think we know something, we do not yet know it as we ought.
As I see it, Bill and others quote whoever for the same reason we have preachers and teachers. There is a progressive logic that presents Bill with his theological conclusions, more so than a Bible thumper such as myself, but, and it is clear to me, in the final analysis, brother Taylor insists that his conclusion measure up to the biblical message as he understands that message. In other words, he is as Bible based as any one. However, the observation still applies that when we think we know something, we do not yet know it as we ought.
jt: We don't
receive understanding from God by way of logic, progressive or otherwise.
Wasn't this Aristotle's forte? Also what is progressive about going back
to Gregory of Nazianzus in the 4th Century and running with his
revelation? We need the clear teaching of scripture. Where do Jesus, Paul,
or any of the apostles speak of this "perichoresis?" Can you or Billt show
it to me in scripture?.
The scripture is true, of course, and stands on its own merits. I believe it has much to do with the discussion at hand and is the reason why we share, write, read, and listen to others. The historicity of the spititual gifts and appointed ministries is not something I am concerned with -- only the claims of one who shares the same Father and is excited enough with his (in this case, Bill T) understanding of the scriptures.
jt: Up until the Reformation there was just one corrupt system which began by uniting Church and State and by Luther's generation this system had become so bad that this man risked everything to take a public stand against this corruption. Only after his breaking free and the Protestant revolt that followed did these other systems arise along with all of the isms Calvinism vs Arianism etc. Actually it is kind of like the Balkans. Tito suppressed everything through fear and once he was gone - all hell broke loose, literally. And this is so in Church circles today. Everyone professes Christ but they are all speaking different languages and all claim to be headed for the same place which is totally mind boggling. I'm glad it is Jesus who is in the process of building His Church and that He is the one who will direct the sifting of the wheat from the tares.
Jesus is the one who judges. We are not. I believe your last sentence above is saying that very thing.
jt: Church
discipline appears to be non-existent in our day so we must be responsible
to discern between good and evil and hold fast to that which is good; Paul
warned about wolves in sheep's clothing (Acts 20:28-31) and some were of their
own selves.
Christ summerizes His "word" when He tells us to (1) love God and (2) love our neighbor. We can do that.
jt: Loving God and loving our
neighbor fulfills all the law and the prophets. Our old carnal mind will tell us
this is easy until we look at love through the eyes of God and His
holiness. The kind of love scripture speaks of is ONLY possible from a pure
heart which is the goal of the instruction of scripture (1 Tim 1:5) along with a
good conscience and unfeigned faith....
To expand John 12:48 to include correct interpretation of
the entire biblical text -- well, I doubt that you are saying
that.
jt: How would
you interpret John 12:48 JohnD?
