On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 15:22:28 -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:The notion that we pick of the Bible, read it and believe it apart from the process of evaluation and acceptance is simple not possible.jt: Why not? This is what was expected of Israel under the Old Covenant. They were expected to hear and to obey - Not study it out and decide which parts they would accept.Is your only purpose in Bible study to search for command statements I do not see the book as a book of law -- commands. It is no longer a legal document.jt: No I don't look for "command statements" but there are some, nor do I view scripture as alaw book although it does contain God's Law.I do not read the bible with a view to decide "what I will accept." I read it to understand: to understand what the immedicate text has to say; to understnd how that text aligns itself with other related passages; to understand how the text plays in our cultural circumstance, today -- if it does.You can cast the project in whatever light you desire; YOU play a role in what you believe the message says. I have said it before and I say it again: it is never "what the Bible says" -- rather, it is always "what I believe the Bible says."jt: For you and Lance and those who think like you. For me it is "what the scripture says" and I work on renewing my mind accordingly.Actually, this is not true. You share what "you believe the bible says" exactly as I do. It like breathing or sweating -- you have no choice. You simply do not accept ANYTHING into your intellectual/spiritual life apart from the process of evaluation and acceptance.jt: How sad that you refuse to allow ppl to say what they are saying JD. Could be the reason why you never seem to understand what it is they just said. I don't struggle with scripture, what I am extremely careful about are the doctrines of men that pop up constantly and try to explain it away.I "allow" you to say anything you want. But I will object to conclusions that cannot poosibly to true ............... and the thinking on your part that your intellect is somehow not involved in your search for truth, that you do not DECIDE to believe what is said after evaluation is one of those impossible conclusions. .... . i.e. the bible speaks of salvation by faith apart from obedience to the Law. You have decided if that is what is said, it includes only the Levitical Law. You have evaluated and made a decision to believe thus and so. This is not a "liberal" theme." Rather, is one of common sense and nothing more.And that is precisely why we need the gracious invention of God .................. He makes us correct IN HIS MIND while we DO the best that we can. None on this forum has another approach regardless of the rhetoric. JDjt: What do you mean "He makes us correct in his mind?" Kind of like if I don't acknowledge it, it's not there? I don't think so JD. God has perfect eyesight and He is not doubleminded, not in the least. jtAmazing -- anyway, "He makes us correct IN HIS MIND" has nothing to do with" ...if I don't acknowledge it, it's not true." The Bible tells us that "faith is reckoned as righteousness." That is an intellectual decision God makes on our behalf. He sees faith and HE DECIDES to view it as if it were righteousness. We are righteous IN HIS MIND.jt: ONLY if our faith is the "saving" kind, the kind with corresponding actions - the kind thatcauses us to hate sin and remove it from our lives.
So, we are not saved unless and until we visit the orphans and the fatherless, until we provide for the needs of the phsical life of those whom we offer a wish of prosperity (be thou warmed and filled)?
