Searching For Truth Seekers!
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Ironic point! A good reminder not to esteem Scripture too much so that it becomes Bibliolatry.
Those who claim infallibility are heretical cultists in need of humility.
I continue to be fascinated by the assumption that there was and is only 66 books in the "Bible." In 1885: The English Revised Version (a revision of the King James Bible) was published without the 14 Apocryphal books, making it a definitive 66-book version. So for only 141 yrs has there been "only" 66 books in bible" The majority of Christians in the world (approx 1.2 billion) see it differently. The Catholic Bible contains 73 books. This total includes 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. The Catholic Old Testament includes seven deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch) plus additions to Daniel and Esther that are typically not found in Protestant Bibles.
The oldest continuing Christianity is Coptic Christianity. Coptic Christianity is nearly 2,000 years old, founded in Egypt by St. Mark the Evangelist around 42–60 AD, making it one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. As the official religion of Egypt in the early centuries, the church has maintained a continuous tradition since its apostolic foundation in Alexandria. It has remained without religious rebellions and State Power. The current holder of this position is Pope Tawadros II, who was selected as the 118th pope on November 18, 2012. Patriarch of Alexandria. Coptic Christianity has never accepted the Roman Pope.
While the Coptic Orthodox Church (Egypt) uses 75 books, it is closely related to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which uses a wider canon of 81 books. Most Protestant traditions remember the Ethiopian who was converted shortly after the Day of Pentecost.
Thus, if we are discussing how many books "are in the bible" can or should we consider all Christianity or just our branch?
I have read the non-canonical books and see no reason to include them in the Bible,
because they contain nothing that contributes to understanding God's requirement for salvation.
As I scanned this thread from the beginning looking for this post I realized that except for an occasional post (#127, 177, 218, 264 & 281) I quarreled (played verbal ping-pong) with various people instead of placing my bets immediately and moving on, which sin I now confess. I wish that I had begun with this post #310 and disagreed with the others only once before ignoring.
BTW, I appreciate Wansvic engaging in a congenial discussion of our different understandings of GW.
As we TSers contemplate the history of Christianity, why were there not hundreds of "Martin Luthers" (folks who sought to base belief on the NT) in every generation? Why was the NT generally ignored as the fount of Truth? (You may want to read AI's answer on your own.)
There truly was a Dark Age from the death of the Apostles until the publication of the NT about 1500 A.D.
However, when folks learned the HS teaches GW about JC & DL (John 14-16 & Rom. 5:5),
they receive the HS when they become TSers (Matt. 7:7 & Heb. 11:6).
The evidence includes studying the Bible and amending beliefs,
which in my case was ditching OSAS when I read/learned GW about MFW.
Just as Rom. 9:11-23 appears to be the foundational Scripture for the problematic and divisive doctrine of tulipists,
so also 2Thes. 2:10-13 may be viewed as the Scriptural fount of the unifying understanding of truthseekers,
because it indicates that those who love truth are on the right path regarding God's requirement for salvation/Gospel.
May all be truthseekers whose hearts are open to the truth regarding salvation/election (1Tim. 2:3-4)
rather than calloused (Matt. 13:14-15)!
so also 2Thes. 2:10-13 may be viewed as the Scriptural fount of the unifying understanding of truthseekers,
because it indicates that those who love truth are on the right path regarding God's requirement for salvation/Gospel.
May all be truthseekers whose hearts are open to the truth regarding salvation/election (1Tim. 2:3-4)
rather than calloused (Matt. 13:14-15)!
I wonder whether it would be interesting for TSers to share some amendments they have made to their beliefs as a result of learning new truth via CC discussions. For example, someone recently pointed me to 2Thes. 2:10, which prompted me to add the following to my proposed Creed:
6. This creed summarizes revelation of the NT Gospel/Truth (Matt. 26:13, John 14:6), which fulfilled the OT revelation (Matt. 5:17, John 19:30, Heb. 7:11-10:10) and culminates the search for salvation by souls who know only general revelation (Rom. 1:20, 2:14-16, Matt. 7:12). Seeking begins when souls love truth/repent of false beliefs (2Thes. 2:10&13, Matt. 4:17, 7:7), which is the Way to eternal life God wills, who is the Lord Jesus (Matt. 7:14, John 1:14, 4:24, 14:6). Lacking this love leads to believing lies and debauchery (Matt. 7:6, Rom. 1:18&25-26, 2Thes. 2:11-12).
Does anyone else have examples of them amending beliefs to share with us?
It might be helpful to provide the thread and post #s. Thanks.
6. This creed summarizes revelation of the NT Gospel/Truth (Matt. 26:13, John 14:6), which fulfilled the OT revelation (Matt. 5:17, John 19:30, Heb. 7:11-10:10) and culminates the search for salvation by souls who know only general revelation (Rom. 1:20, 2:14-16, Matt. 7:12). Seeking begins when souls love truth/repent of false beliefs (2Thes. 2:10&13, Matt. 4:17, 7:7), which is the Way to eternal life God wills, who is the Lord Jesus (Matt. 7:14, John 1:14, 4:24, 14:6). Lacking this love leads to believing lies and debauchery (Matt. 7:6, Rom. 1:18&25-26, 2Thes. 2:11-12).
Does anyone else have examples of them amending beliefs to share with us?
It might be helpful to provide the thread and post #s. Thanks.
Well, hearing only crickets could be because no one amends their beliefs, so I will share another of mine
that was done due to discussion about whether salvation is via faith or works. Upon reflection, I added the following
to my understanding:
There is no qualitative difference between faith that accepts God’s saving grace at conversion and faith that accepts God’s working grace while walking/living (Eph. 2:8-10, 1Cor. 15:10, 2Cor. 5:7, Rom. 1:17), but only a quantitative difference as each additional moment passes–and of course faith remains non-meritorious during the saint’s entire lifetime.
Are there any other TSers out there who have amended beliefs to share?
that was done due to discussion about whether salvation is via faith or works. Upon reflection, I added the following
to my understanding:
There is no qualitative difference between faith that accepts God’s saving grace at conversion and faith that accepts God’s working grace while walking/living (Eph. 2:8-10, 1Cor. 15:10, 2Cor. 5:7, Rom. 1:17), but only a quantitative difference as each additional moment passes–and of course faith remains non-meritorious during the saint’s entire lifetime.
Are there any other TSers out there who have amended beliefs to share?
A key truth that does not get emphasized enough is taught in 1Cor. 12:1-31:
All Christians are baptized by one HS into one spiritual body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13),
but they have different gifts. I love the comparison with the physical body,
but I also like to think of it in terms of a symphony orchestra.
Which gift, body part or musical instrument are you?
All Christians are baptized by one HS into one spiritual body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13),
but they have different gifts. I love the comparison with the physical body,
but I also like to think of it in terms of a symphony orchestra.
Which gift, body part or musical instrument are you?
I am the part of the brain that loves to learn God's Word, harmonizing discrepancies as much as possible
in accordance with its teachings that God is omniloving and just/righteous, and apply it to life, including politics.
I guess this means my musical instrument is the synthesizer.
Over...
in accordance with its teachings that God is omniloving and just/righteous, and apply it to life, including politics.
I guess this means my musical instrument is the synthesizer.
Over...
Again, I think a key truth that does not get emphasized enough in CC discussions is taught in 1Cor. 12:1-31:
All Christians are baptized by one HS into one spiritual body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13), but they have different gifts.
I love the comparison with the physical body, but I also like to think of it in terms of a symphony orchestra.
I am the part of the brain that loves to learn God's Word, harmonizing discrepancies as much as possible
in accordance with its teachings that God is omniloving and just/righteous, and applying it to life, including politics.
I guess this means my musical instrument is the synthesizer in modern orchestras.
Which gift, body part and/or musical instrument are you?
All Christians are baptized by one HS into one spiritual body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13), but they have different gifts.
I love the comparison with the physical body, but I also like to think of it in terms of a symphony orchestra.
I am the part of the brain that loves to learn God's Word, harmonizing discrepancies as much as possible
in accordance with its teachings that God is omniloving and just/righteous, and applying it to life, including politics.
I guess this means my musical instrument is the synthesizer in modern orchestras.
Which gift, body part and/or musical instrument are you?
Romans 2
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2 Timothy 2
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Your Scriptures raised a good question that might serve as a P.S.:
What Scriptures indicate that God's plan of salvation included all humanity, even those who never heard the name Jesus/
You cited two; what others are in this vein?
This question is for y'all.