David Miller wrote:
>>To say that truth is unobtainable without
>>the voice of others is error.
John wrote:
>Well then -- guess that does it for authors of the
>biblical message, for the prophets, for the evangelists,
>for the pastors, for the teachers, for those who are
>spiritual (helping those who are weak), and for a
>wealth scripture describing our need for the fellowship
>of others.
I don't think it does it for them. I think we could find agreement with all
of them in what I just said.
Recognizing my statement as true does not mean that fellowship is bad or not
expected of us, neither does it mean that the voice of others cannot lead us
into truth.
David Miller.
Why not admit that you are wrong. It cuts down on so much worried writing. Look, again, or perhaps for the first time, at what I wrote.
>Well then -- guess that does it for authors of the
>biblical message, for the prophets, for the evangelists,
>for the pastors, for the teachers, for those who are
>spiritual (helping those who are weak), and for a
>wealth scripture describing our need for the fellowship
>of others.
It is my contention that an awareness/assurance of "truth" is not possible apart from the sharing of ideas (read "truth"). In this remark, obtaining truth and having the assurance that I possess the "truth" is the same thing. And I am NOT speaking of the "whole range of truth." For example, my association with you and Judy and Linda has convinced me on a number of levels, that I have a handle on who God is, how He reveals His will, His eternal sense of present time (that is where I am), the function of fellowship among believers, the value of His communal existence, the value of friends and the need for loyalty, the importance of pastoring as opposed to the infinitely easier task of street preaching, acceptance of those who serve the same Lord but with a totally different perspective (ala Slade, Kay and Jeff) [emphasis on "acceptance] and the intrinsic value of patient conversation verse any thing else.
Your views and mine, if true, come to us FROM OTHERS. There is no escaping this reality. The Spirit plays a role as does the fellowship of the saints, the prophets of the Most High, teachers, evangelists and pastors and the example of the first church (i.e. Acts 2:42). When Bill wrote of the Great Dance -- a term that I seldom use, myself, even now --- it spoke to my heart of hearts; it began to give me answers for questions that I had had for years. There was the thrill of knowing that God was again at work in me, drawing me nearer to His truth. It is this assurance of hope that sets us apart, David.
Everything I look at on this forum, is viewed through the eyes of a pastor. That is what I am. Not a preacher. No one of stature. But a pastor, nonetheless. If it does not have a practical value, if it does not offer healthy explanation in how I live my life and what I can say to others to help them, it is of no use to me.
JD
