Brick
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Post by Brick on Oct 2, 2007 12:40:29 GMT -5
Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2Tim 3:16)
Do you think he considered his letters to be scripture? Were the gospels written at that time? When you write a letter to someone, do you think they are scripture? Do you believe every word that is in the Bible?
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no name
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"I'll do what I can to see they go easy on you." (Grammaton Cleric John Preston - Equilibrium)
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Post by no name on Oct 2, 2007 18:36:29 GMT -5
Do you think he considered his letters to be scripture? No, I don't believe he did. I have read that Paul's letters were written before the gospels, but I'm no expert here. Oh goodness, no! I'm pretty sure I did when I was younger, but as I expand my way of thinking about things like this, I have grown to doubt that "every word" of the Bible occurred in the literal sense. But that's me at this particular moment. I've no idea what sort of spiritual journey I'll be taking in the future. I consider myself a work in progress in many ways - spiritual matters included. What about you?
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Brick
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Post by Brick on Oct 3, 2007 9:21:53 GMT -5
I have the feeling that this is going to turn into my testimony... I don't believe every word that is contained in my bible. I was asked once if I just pick and choose what I want to believe, and I suppose the simple truth is yes. But we all have to do that. We have to structure our personal beliefs around some type of scriptural framework. The framework that I have chosen is the life and words of Christ. But even so, I understand that all of the Bible was written by men, but even though we may not have the exact words or actions, through the different gospels we can see a single personality showing through. What we see in the gospels is that Jesus rejected tradition and had no interest in hierarchy. The recent threads about who will replace who as overseer reminded me of the disciples reasoning among themselves who would lead when Jesus was gone. It would have been so easy for him to just say, "Pete, I'd like you to run the show after me." As these things were unsaid, like where we should meet, what we should wear, I don't think that they were of any significance to Jesus. I feel that I too, am on a spiritual journey, an unfinished work. And like you, many of the tenets that I held as a youth no longer ring true to me.
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Post by my2cents on Oct 3, 2007 11:17:52 GMT -5
I remember way back was I was in 3rd grade. My parents were thinking about putting me in a Christian school. My dad then looked into the school a little closer by talking to all the teachers etc. He then found out that the schools teachings took the bible literally word for word. My dad in good conscience decided not to send me there. I remember him sitting down with me and explaining to me that he did not agree with the school that every single word in the bible was absolutely accurate in every way. My dad was a Scientist and a PhD. As I think back I admire my dad for being so principled in his beliefs. I have always struggled with this question too because I have family in the truth and one in the work. I know by my discussions with them that they take the bible literally. I admire that too. Maybe the most important thing you can do is be honest & sincere with yourself and in your beliefs. Maybe that’s how God intended it.
Brick, sorry I couldn’t give you any detailed opinion on your questions. I am not that well read on that particular part of the bible but your general question triggered that memory of my dad so I thought I would share it.
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Brick
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Post by Brick on Oct 3, 2007 11:24:14 GMT -5
Well, thanks for sharing that memory.
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Post by Gene Nelson on Oct 3, 2007 11:48:29 GMT -5
No, I do not think Paul considered his letter to Timothy to be part of scripture. To use that verse as basis for claiming that the bible as we know it was entirely given by inspiration of God just simply does not make sense to me. If Shakespeare had written similar words in Sonnet number 27, saying that all writings of Shakespeare were given by inspiration of God, would we believe it?
For me, it is life's experiences more than anything else that has led me to believe that the bible is not entirely inspired. We were given a brain, eyes, ears, emotions etc. for a reason -- and to the extent that the teachings of the bible contradict the teachings of life, I choose to live by the latter.
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Post by wingsofaneagle on Oct 5, 2007 19:11:08 GMT -5
I find the hardest thing for me is deciphering what is truly spoken from God and what has been filtered through the messenger's own experiences. We all interpret things in different ways so what was spoken to Paul could mean something completely different to another.
I like to rely on the letters written in red that directly quote Jesus just to be safe. ;D
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Brick
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Post by Brick on Oct 6, 2007 4:05:51 GMT -5
You too?
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Oct 6, 2007 5:19:44 GMT -5
I can third what you said, Wings...excellent point!! M.
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Post by shushy on Oct 28, 2007 8:27:53 GMT -5
[Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2Tim 3:16)
Do you think he considered his letters to be scripture?]
I think Paul knew that what he had received came from the spirit of revelation/from God. He was writing letters. Just as you or I would but the difference being he was writing to specificly encourage/build up/warn/ reprove, direct etc the people in the local churches he had established.
[When you write a letter to someone, do you think they are scripture?]
No my letters are not scripture. Eg:If I was writing to any of my friends who are mostly Church leaders I would pray and ask the Lord and he will give me scriptures or a dream or vision about specifics they need to know. I have no pre knowledge of whatever it is. They may have been asking him about something and he will show me the answer, I give them the word of encouragemtn and they recognise the Lord. (Im sorry I dont mean to sound so pompus but it is the truth)
[Do you believe every word that is in the Bible?]
When we say we believe that it is inspired. I do yes. But.....I also understand that everything is filtered through the person writing the account of what happened or the vision they saw or the experience they had. So its the mind/personality/charactor of the person writing that gives a flaour if you like. Some are emotional like Jerimiah and David for example. Others document differently like Luke, he was a Doctor. Then you have the translation problems which so many argue about. I say what about the witness of your spirit when you read scripture. Do you ever feel convicted? Do you feel comforted? Do you feel unique and precious? Do you feel loved? I do believe that the Word is like a 'double edged sword'. I have seen people healed emotionaly and sometimes physicaly when people have read scriptures to them praying for their healing. Also deliverance of freemasonry/ ancestral sins etc. Spiritual warfare. To me it is all real.
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