John responds: yes I see the
point. It is just that I prefer to use the good stuff and ignore that which I
think is wrong. I assume that most of them were doing the best that
they could at the time -- God covering what they missed. I
mean, where would we be without these Church Fathers that I never
read? There was no printing presses. What if there was just
nothing after John's death. Kind of scary I
think.
jt: Oh, it wouldn't be so bad.
There were 400 silent years between Malachi and Matthew. Jesus is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. Scripture teaches that everything we need for
life and godliness is found in Him and since He is a Living Savior we don't
need to search for Him amongst the dead.
Of course God would provide
something -- but that is the point Bill and Lance and Jonathan make
-- God did provide a bridge to the present in the writings of these men and the
beat goes on in the current crop of theologians.
jt: This is where I would have
to disagree with Bill, Lance, and Jonathan. I don't see most of these writings
as a bridge, in fact to me they can foment a lot of confusion. God is able
to speak to individuals where they are at. I have a Scots friend who
receives wisdom from God by way of very simple object lessons that help her in
her own walk.. God has a way of hiding things from the wise and prudent
while ATST revealing them to babes.
Again, I see their value, but I
prefer burning the midnight oil with Lenski, Kittle, Robertson and so
on. I enjoy the search. You and I are very much on the
same page on this point. But I do understand Bill's respect for what
has been written by others.
jt:
So long as what has been written by others does not become a grid through which
we interpret scripture.
John: I would add this: in addition to a disciplined obedience we benefit from the natural process we can call "spiritual growth." In growth, we shed ideas that once appeared noble for ideas that now seem to be sanctioned by God, and, then in time, we might even move from those ideas to others -- all the while earnestly seeking God's wisdom; all the while depending on God's partnership and His forgiving and patient nature to see us through to maturity. We are constantly moving from error to light, aren't we? Thank you Jesus.
jt: Well,
hopefully we stay in whatever light we are walking in - just going deeper, like
from glory to glory until His likeness and image is perfected in us (but I've
been down a few rabbit trails myself :(
