Gods word is most certainly breathed by him, and it is very much spiritual. There's also physical aspects of it as well, it can be traced through history, it was written by men..ect.
I say this because we can trace back these physical qualities and gain a fuller understanding of the historical significance of the scriptures/books.
Tracing these things back also give us apologetics, and historical evidence that help uphold and support the authenticity of the Bible.
This can be used when evangilizing and when bringing others to God
the Spirit can use many things to bring glory to God. Which leads me here,
I think that the Spirit can also use context to help inform us of truth, and confirm truth to us.
Im pretty sure that many times when teaching, the Apostles used the OT to give context to what they were trying to explain to whichever church. (Dont have scripture to add here because to my knowladge its everywhere in the NT, but if you'd like I will add some
) In John (4:23) Jesus mentions that we have to worship in Spirit and truth, I wonder what this would look like. Contextually, I believe he says this to a woman who was lead to believe something incorrect about worshiping God(John 4:22), Jesus corrects her and says that the time is coming where they will worship in Spirit and truth. I would say Spirit is important, we should be guided by the Spirit, but that truth is equally as important
Some might argue that context/support helps establish truth.
Ephesians 4:15 mentions that we should speak the truth in love. After describing how men fall away to all sorts of different doctrines(Ephesians 4:14)
I would say that context can give us a valuable way to do that, as it can help establish what is true and help us test the spirits. Using context from other areas of the scripture and even the original language/ historical evidence can help at times.
In Titus 1:9 Paul mentions how an overseer must hold firm to what he has been taught, which is trustworthy. That he may teach sound doctrine, rebuking those who contradict it.
I would say that this doctrine that He/s (the overseer/s) being taught is not mere scripture, but ideas supported by scripture(since doctrine are ideas formed by scripture). These ideas would become the foundation used to then help interpret biblical truth.
So far from what I can see, on your behalf, you have given scripture/s to support a view that they dont always contextually support, like the one in Matthew that is regarding taking oaths. The concept is further referenced in James, and is once again referencing oaths
And I say this to highlight how context can actually be very important!
I could be wrong, but I dont understand what oaths have to do with what we are talking about here.
I worship in Spirit, but I also worship in truth. I try to hold fast to historical views of Christianity, as not to be lead astray by my own itching ears. My desire to do so is from the Spirit, the one who encourages me to hold fast to faithful teachings and keeps me close to God, for he is the Spirit of truth
(John 14:17) I do not want to honor my flesh, but to hold fast to everything I know to be true in scripture, and when debated, I research and look into the word which even then can be somewhat vague. I use scripture to interpret other scripture to get as full of an idea as I can possible have, and then i move on to extra biblical resources. I use history, language and science as much as scripture will support it, when it supports scripture itself. If it contradicts the scripture, which hold the ultimate authority, I let it go.
for example, when science contradicts scripture I always choose the side of scripture and think of that science as theory.
I used context to hold fast to Scripture and I worship God lead by the Spirit. I also pray in the spirit, using scripture as a guide at times.
I think we can have Spirit and truth friend
and I believe context can be a part of this process. I could be wrong, and im certainly not the most informed here, or logical. Though I try. I would like someone much smarter than me to engage here, with more education and proper reasoning. Though im not sure this will happen
Anyway, I hope this makes sense to you. I tried my best to support my thinking as best as I could. Thank you for your time and energy friend. I do not think I am foolish, nor do I think you are foolish. I do however think that your dislike of context could lead to you being lead astray by your own thinking, but to each their own. I trust that God can keep you guarded.
