If we have a Spirit that tells us what we need to know, why do we need the bible? Look at what is being said. It is like me writing a letter of instruction to my children on what to do with the house when the wife and I are on vacation and then telling them, "if you have a problem with the letter, don't worry, I will calling you several times a day and making it clear as to what I want done." There is no point in my writing the letter if I am going to suerintend their handling of the letter. Not to mention that this teaching results in the believer having to say that his/her interpretation is right because it is inspirited.
John
I see it a little different John. The Holy Spirit helps me to understand the Bible. He doesn't call me several times a day. I call Him when I need clarification, just as your child might if the electricity was off and he could not find the breaker box.Terry
Good response. I definitely see the point. And I agree. It is just that I do not believe that this help is something other than providential in nature. There is a subjectivity to "providential." I see this in the Giddeon story. God is telling him thus and so andGiddeon asks for a sign (a wet and a dry fleece of wool) rather than simply saying , "OK" ( in Hebrew, of course). Giddeon was not sure that he was hearing the voice of God. As it turns out, he was. We might be fully convinced that we understand a given scripture, that such was given to us by the Lord and then, years later, realize that we were mistaken. Understanding the role that the providential guidance of the Spirit plays in our lives allows us to make the necessary change. Believing that the first idea is some kind of inspired interpretation prevents us from making that same change.
John
