True. So shall we have an objective standard like scripture or shall each of us just say "the magisterium in my church always says we are right - so we must be right"?
Which of those two methods do you see Christ use in Mark 7:6-13?
that is not true. There is evangelism going on all the time (about 1 million a year in the case of one group) and not all who are being evangelized are atheists or Buddhist.
And how does Jesus indicate that those traditions are in error when dealing with those who "differ" in Mark 7:6-13?
Hello BobRyan.
My statement did not say all biblical views are correct, or that Christians should accept all views as correct because their views are taught by a church (any church). My statement was that more is needed than only scriptures to help Christians with incorrect views realize they are incorrect in their interpretation of Bible statements. I also said, every teaching group I am aware of that claims to only teach the Bible doesn't only teach the Bible. They instead teach their interpretations of scripture. And that's one of the reasons more is needed than just scripture for anyone following those people to understand the Truth. See 1Corinthians 3:7 and Colossians 2:19.
True, God uses his Christians to spread his word, but without God letting blind ones understand it, they never will. My statement did not imply God's church should not make an attempt to correct false beliefs. If I thought that I wouldn't be here, because my only reason for being here is to teach God's word. My previous statement also implied claiming you only teach the Bible can be a trap in itself, because it is not true. Since people who claim that don't only teach the Bible that claim can mislead biblically ignorant ones into believing they have found a mentor who can, in contradiction to what others teach about scripture, lead them to God. Interpretations of the Bible is what is taught. Within these interpretations God allows Christ's true church to understand, at least the doctrines necessary for salvation, and compels them to spread those teachings to others.
While God allows some false beliefs, even among his church members, he disallows other false beliefs among his chosen church members. And those type of false beliefs God disallows are ones that lead people away from God. Those are the type Christ was speaking of in Mark chapter 7. If Christ did mean God disallows all false notions on how to apply scripture among his church, then Christ would be contradicting Paul's words in Romans, now wouldn't he? The scriptures I previously cited, and that are again quoted at the end of this post, from the words of Paul, prove Christ would be contradicting Paul if Christ applied that idea to all scriptural applications. Christ was not doing that. Romans chapter 14 deals with Christians who apply scriptures to their own behaviors differently, because they have different beliefs about scriptures.
Romans chapter 14 reads:
1Now accept the one who is weak in faith,
but not for
the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables
only. 3The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
4Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day
alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11For it is written,
“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”
12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.
14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
16Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;
17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18For he who in this
way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
20Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.