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Everyone who settles for an elementary knowledge in the Faith is reduced to a
life, a spiritual life, of immaturity. But exposure to that which is beyond
the elementary issues of faith and practice leads to a sensitive and well
trained disciple, one who is then, and only then, able to understand, to grasp
and put into practice that which is good and to learn from that which is even
wrong...........for the ground which receives the rain that often falls upon it
(a certain knowledge that extends beyond the rudimentary) and brings results
in the manner of life lived is blessed from God. Heb. 5:13-14; 6:7.
The above is the effect that passage has on me. I do not believe that such
is possible without the "group." I do not know how much of a role tolerance
has to play in all this, except that it keeps us all in the same neighborhood
-- within the sound of each other's voice. It is the sharing, the
debate, the struggle that gives birth to an assurance of what it is that we believe
and it is this assurance that is soteriologically beneficial (Heb 3:14) --
whether philosophically so is not always evident.
So, for the assurance of the knowledge of "truth" to be possible (IMO), we
need only to be exposed to the thinking and sharing of others, whether hostiles
or companions.
The forum need only to exist and allow for the sharing of ideas.
If there is no such thing as "absolute truth," I think we waste our time in
this sharing. On the other hand, if our arrogance is so great as to cause
us to say that we KNOW this or that, the growth process has ended (perhaps
some time ago) and we have begun to wither. Our knowing is about concepts and
the Relationship (I Co 8:1-3). Love and growth are not possible apart from
the body and its severally expressed politic.
John
=====================================================Sounds good on the surface, John. Perhaps it "sounds good" because I was paraphrasing scritpure. It may even be true for some who are more dependant than independant. It certainly would not apply, however, to the shepherd boy named David who had for company only sheep, nor to John the Baptist, who lived alone in the wilderness, or to Elija, or to Paul following his experience on the Damascus road, or to John on the isle of Patmos, or to Job and many others. I had my moment with the Son as well -- in a church driveway in my little black and gold Camaro. No man is an island, Terry. I am saying that such is true by divine appointment. We are tribal creatures. Some need a nation -- others only need a family. The body of believers we call the Assembly has been given apostles , prophets, pastors , teachers and evangelist for what purpose other than what I expressed above in differing word?
John
As to personal experience; I enjoy the company of people, especially small intimate groups, but I prefer being alone much of the time, and find that time alone to be when I am the most aware of the presence and majesty of my Lord.
Terry
