----- Original Message -----
Sent: July 27, 2004 08:49
Subject: [TruthTalk] Why the listen to
voices from the past?
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 :(
