Hello friend! And may I ask, to what are you drawing this info from?
-b
Experience.
We are capable of perceiving across a very large spectrum. But most of us perceive in only a narrow band. As children, we had a sense of many things we do not as adults - because some of our perceptual channels were much more open when we were very young. This is why some children are immediately so drawn - or repelled - by some people they meet. They have a sense for them in a way that's a bit different than our sense.
Dreams are a good example of this. For some people, precognitive dreams are commonplace. These people are not "seeing the future" per say - but they are perceiving in a slightly wider band than most people. So it looks like future-telling at first glace. But it is not.
Once understood, this kind of sight is just as ordinary as physical sight - but it is different. It's only extraordinary if you don't understand it.
Remember, for most of our history on the planet, you could have easily been burned at the stake for having a cell phone! A talking box - with the voices of people from "another place." Just image how demonic that would have seemed.
But we understand electromagnetism now. So, it's old hat.
The inexhaustible nature of God is reflected in the nature God's children. The gifts we've been able to develop are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of our potential would seem inconceivable - and frightening - from our current frame-of-reference.
I doubt there is a switch, that when in the "on" position, creates a talking-head with a direct link.
That fact that we need a prophet to teach us an absolute, but are simultaneously in a position to evaluate him/her, is funny. I don't know if that's closer to illusion or delusion.
We are all human prophets, and everyone's view is incomplete. Some views are more incomplete than others. The degree of dark in the "glass darkly" varies. But we evaluate each view offered in every way possible. So it's important to come into relationship with a view - not simply decide about it.
But it's much easier to assign - all or nothing - good/bad right/wrong God/Devil. But it's not very useful much of the time.
29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Yes, but we tend to think of them (gifts) too discretely - as objects that you either have or you don't have.
The gifts show up all the way from so faint that it's really hard to notice - all the way to so strong it's impossible to miss.
The opportunity is to help each other bring them more into expression.
.
Last edited by Avonia; 8th October 2009 at 04:11 PM.
Yes, we are all seers too. Some don't see very far - and some see quite far. This kind of sight is both given and developed.
In your opinion, if a person writes that masturbation leads to a weak brain, cancerous tumors, dropsy, weak eye sight, insanity, kidney and/or liver disease, memory loss, rheumatism and/or premature death, would this person qualify for (1) the category of "doesn't see very far," or (2) the category of "sees quite far?"
In your opinion, if a person writes that masturbation leads to a weak brain, cancerous tumors, dropsy, weak eye sight, insanity, kidney and/or liver disease, memory loss, rheumatism and/or premature death, would this person qualify for (1) the category of "doesn't see very far," or (2) the category of "sees quite far?"
BFA
It's a lot less crazy than many things in the Bible.
Do I think Ellen White had exceptional sight - yes. Do we know that what she said about masturbation is not true - yes.