How do we know what we believe is the truth?
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J
J
I understand. My point remains. My point was not that people don't read the bible, but instead, try to make it say what they want it to say. We see this all the time with the statement, "God is love", and promote this Gospel where God is "koo koo ka choo head over heels for you". They forget that God is the standard of love. He is the very being of love. Instead, what we often do without noticing at first, is instead of reading it, "God is love" we read it "God is what I think love is".
That's just one example.
That's just one example.
T
This is the issue! What you call "little niggly bits that don't really matter so much" matter very much according to their church teaching. For example, according to the teachings of the Catholic Church a woman cannot be a priest. In order to understand why their church takes this position you have to read their theology. The sole purpose of the priest in the OT as well as the NT was to offer sacrifice to God. Now, the Catholic priest is offering a sacrifice in their Mass. It is the Passover sacrifice re-presented on their alter. The priest is acting "in persona Christi", which means he is acting as the person of Christ offering up the offering of Christ's body and blood as the sacrifice Christ gave on the cross. So, If a Catholic priest is acting in the person of Christ himself during Mass, then it makes no sense to have a female priest. There is also the nuptial meaning of the Mass. If the priest is acting as the person of Christ and the Mass a "wedding" meal where Christ (the bridegroom) is "married" to the Church (bride), then the priest has to be male.
When you understand the Catholic view and teaching about the priesthood, then women priest cannot happen and will never happen no matter how many people think it should. This is just one example of "little" things that make a big difference.
I hope this at least puts some perspective to the issue.
When you understand the Catholic view and teaching about the priesthood, then women priest cannot happen and will never happen no matter how many people think it should. This is just one example of "little" things that make a big difference.
I hope this at least puts some perspective to the issue.
K
Like most research nowadays, I got it off of Wikipedia (yes, I know!)
Basically, for Orthodox, "You shall have no other gods before me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" are two seperate commandments, whereas for the RC the two are both part of the First Commandment.
Conversely, "You shall not covet your neighbour's wife" and "You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour" are two seperate commandments in RC but conflated into one in the Orthodox church.
I find this all really fascinating.
Of course, the only real difference is the numbering system and where the divisions are.
Basically, for Orthodox, "You shall have no other gods before me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" are two seperate commandments, whereas for the RC the two are both part of the First Commandment.
Conversely, "You shall not covet your neighbour's wife" and "You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour" are two seperate commandments in RC but conflated into one in the Orthodox church.
I find this all really fascinating.
Of course, the only real difference is the numbering system and where the divisions are.
D
Greetings,
What we believe is the interpretation of Truth revealed. Now, this revelation is understood through numerous filters- some call them worldviews and presuppositions. Since we are a fallen race of individuals, the pure revelation of God and His will is perverted by: pride, covetousness, and hyper-emotionalism among other things. The key to proper exegesis is recognizing, and challenging your worldviews and presuppositions. For example, if you are a dispensational per-millennialist try studying amillennialism; try rebuking your own doctrines and tenets. It will either do one of two things: It will either strengthen and confirm what you already believe as fact, or it will prove that what you did believe was erroneous and force you to adopt a different position. The reason why so many people have bad theology and comprehension is because they never seek to challenge themselves; they are too busy trying to challenge others. Most people remain content believing what they were taught as a child, or what they heard from some fleshly preacher and never move beyond that. However, you can always tell the difference between those who continually challenge themselves and study (not just what they agree with) and those who don't.
What we believe is the interpretation of Truth revealed. Now, this revelation is understood through numerous filters- some call them worldviews and presuppositions. Since we are a fallen race of individuals, the pure revelation of God and His will is perverted by: pride, covetousness, and hyper-emotionalism among other things. The key to proper exegesis is recognizing, and challenging your worldviews and presuppositions. For example, if you are a dispensational per-millennialist try studying amillennialism; try rebuking your own doctrines and tenets. It will either do one of two things: It will either strengthen and confirm what you already believe as fact, or it will prove that what you did believe was erroneous and force you to adopt a different position. The reason why so many people have bad theology and comprehension is because they never seek to challenge themselves; they are too busy trying to challenge others. Most people remain content believing what they were taught as a child, or what they heard from some fleshly preacher and never move beyond that. However, you can always tell the difference between those who continually challenge themselves and study (not just what they agree with) and those who don't.
[1 Thess. 5:21-but test everything; hold fast what is good.]
R
Anyone who obeys Jesus obeys the truth, and believes him, because they heard him and obeyed. They prove their faith by their obedience.
If anyone believes in Jesus, they also obey him. And his words are truth, and life. It is not matter of what, but WHO. And every man will be judged by whether or not they obeyed his words, not the words of me nor of any other.
May Jesus bless you.
If anyone believes in Jesus, they also obey him. And his words are truth, and life. It is not matter of what, but WHO. And every man will be judged by whether or not they obeyed his words, not the words of me nor of any other.
May Jesus bless you.
I appreciate disciples input; I think it was valuable.....@ Ramon, the truth is Jesus Christ without a doubt. What I was looking at is the fact that people have different interpretations of the truth; this is a fact even though we were thought to be in one accord, having one mind.....
Do we hold fast to things we were taught, or are we a people who perseveres after truth? Suppose what we were taught wrong doctrines, are we humble enough to submit to God's revelation of His word?
Do we hold fast to things we were taught, or are we a people who perseveres after truth? Suppose what we were taught wrong doctrines, are we humble enough to submit to God's revelation of His word?
R
It is not so complicated though. Everything I learned of the Truth, I did not learn from a man, neither from a woman. Sure, I listened, but I was listening for the Truth Jesus had already revealed. Jesus is the revelation of the Truth, and his words are the revelation of the Truth. Truth concerning everything, even from the beginning of how all things were made, and of the end, how all things of this earth will come to an end.
The Lord has revealed to me many problems, and even solutions to many century old problems, and I was tempted to go out and invent these things to help the human race live better (I was in school to be an engineer, but I could not know as much as I do not concerning that), but every time I was reminded of the main issue. The issue of the human race is not in the things the world can offer. The issue of the human race is in the hearts of men.
Jesus Christ!! His words!! Follow them, obey them, because they are truth and life. If anyone wants to have one mind, and be in one accord, let them have the mind of Jesus Christ!!
May Jesus bless you.
The Lord has revealed to me many problems, and even solutions to many century old problems, and I was tempted to go out and invent these things to help the human race live better (I was in school to be an engineer, but I could not know as much as I do not concerning that), but every time I was reminded of the main issue. The issue of the human race is not in the things the world can offer. The issue of the human race is in the hearts of men.
Jesus Christ!! His words!! Follow them, obey them, because they are truth and life. If anyone wants to have one mind, and be in one accord, let them have the mind of Jesus Christ!!
May Jesus bless you.