Brothers and Sisters, is it TIME FOR WRATH???

[Zaac]

Are you out of breath, q, ?

 

[KomissarSteve]

You speak as though you have some sort of magical power over me.

Uuuuuuuh, no I don't. That sounds awfully paranoid, too...

God's Word is fact. If you don't like it, tough. It's STILL His Word.

Hahahaha, way to TOTALLY miss my point.

I agree that God's Word is fact. My point is that your narrow interpretation of it is not fact - it's your personal opinion of what God meant when He inspired a number of the passages in the Scripture. Even if you decide to take the Bible 100% literally, guess what? That's still a narrow interpretation of God's Word. You're still choosing to read it that way, as opposed to reading much of it as metaphor or allegory.

So once again, I'd ask that you stop trying to put the God of the Bible in a box.

 

[Zaac]

Uuuuuuuh, no I don't. That sounds awfully paranoid, too...

eeek. Stop it Komissar. You're frightening meeee

Hahahaha, way to TOTALLY miss my point.

Hahahahaha. I didn't miss your point. God's Word is STILL His Word. And when I'm giving an interpretation, I'll make it known.

 

[KomissarSteve]

eeek. Stop it Komissar. You're frightening meeee

You're weird.

Hahahahaha. I didn't miss your point. God's Word is STILL His Word. And when I'm giving an interpretation, I'll make it known.

You have been making interpretations all throughout this thread. Every single pronouncement you've made about the Bible here has been an interpretation. You are in absolutely no position to say, "God meant X through this verse."

 

[Zaac]

You're weird.

You refer to yourself as Kommisar...

You are in absolutely no position to say, "God meant X through this verse."

Sure I am. You may not be. But I certainly am.

 

[KomissarSteve]

You refer to yourself as Kommisar...

It's a satirical use of the title, I assure you.

Sure I am.

Sounds like a pretty textbook example of "putting God in a box," to me. Nobody can know the mind of God, and claiming that you know exactly what God meant in any passage in the Scriptures is tremendously presumptuous - if not a little blasphemous.

 

[bunced]

You know, one thing I've learnt over the course of my Christian walk is even when I think I know exactly what God thinks and says about a certain issue in the Bible, the Holy Spirit will sometimes come and turn my ideas upside down and make me see things in a whole new light.

Zaac, we are flawed human beings. By our very nature, we are unable to interpret the Bible perfectly - we make mistakes and miss God's messages and God's heart. That is why denominations are so beautiful, because different people can point out different part of God's word and different parts of God's character, and we can see things in a different light. As someone else pointed out, even the choice of reading the Bible literallistically is in itself an interpretation choice, and one I would personally argue is inherently flawed. I know a professor of theology who argues that your ideology determines your theology, and I think it could be argued that this is to a certain extent true, that a literalistic interpretation of the Bible fits within the American ideology and therefore is more comfortable to the American mindset than a more counter-cultural interpretation, thus requiring less surrendering to God (note I am not forwarding this as my view, I am merely saying that it could be an argument that could be put forward)

But all issues of which is the correct interpretation aside, I think it is enough to hold onto that the living Word of God is still relevant to our lives today, and that God's Spirit can change our preconceptions when we least expect it, so it is best to remain humble and to admit we do not have all the answers but instead we are working on what we understand, and that we may be totally wrong

 

[Zaac]

It's a satirical use of the title, I assure you.

Yeah.

Sounds like a pretty textbook example of "putting God in a box," to me. Nobody can know the mind of God, and claiming that you know exactly what God meant in any passage in the Scriptures is tremendously presumptuous - if not a little blasphemous.

That statement shows just why you don't know what you're talking about. Align yourself with Scripture and then get back to me.

 

[KomissarSteve]

That statement shows just why you don't know what you're talking about. Align yourself with Scripture and then get back to me.

In other words, I've completely deflated your argument and you're completely unable to respond at this particular period in time.

I've aligned myself as best I know how, and a big facet of that is to try to never put God in a box.

 

[Zaac]

You know, one thing I've learnt over the course of my Christian walk is even when I think I know exactly what God thinks and says about a certain issue in the Bible, the Holy Spirit will sometimes come and turn my ideas upside down and make me see things in a whole new light.

Zaac, we are flawed human beings. By our very nature, we are unable to interpret the Bible perfectly - we make mistakes and miss God's messages and God's heart. That is why denominations are so beautiful, because different people can point out different part of God's word and different parts of God's character, and we can see things in a different light. As someone else pointed out, even the choice of reading the Bible literallistically is in itself an interpretation choice, and one I would personally argue is inherently flawed. I know a professor of theology who argues that your ideology determines your theology, and I think it could be argued that this is to a certain extent true, that a literalistic interpretation of the Bible fits within the American ideology and therefore is more comfortable to the American mindset than a more counter-cultural interpretation, thus requiring less surrendering to God (note I am not forwarding this as my view, I am merely saying that it could be an argument that could be put forward)

But all issues of which is the correct interpretation aside, I think it is enough to hold onto that the living Word of God is still relevant to our lives today, and that God's Spirit can change our preconceptions when we least expect it, so it is best to remain humble and to admit we do not have all the answers but instead we are working on what we understand, and that we may be totally wrong

I agree wholeheartedly. But if people want to know what God's Word means, they need to ask Him. remarkably, if this was done, people would be amazed at how on the same page everyone would be.

 

[KomissarSteve]

I agree wholeheartedly. But if people want to know what God's Word means, they need to ask Him. remarkably, if this was done, people would be amazed at how on the same page everyone would be.

Really? Strange...I continuously ask God what His Word means, and He never tells me that it means what you say it means in this thread.

Is it possible that you're being deceived by a spirit other than God?

 

[Zaac]

In other words, I've completely deflated your argument and you're completely unable to respond at this particular period in time.

Yeah. If that's what you think, pat yourself on the back and go get a cold one.

I've aligned myself as best I know how, and a big facet of that is to try to never put God in a box.

In regards to what I was talking about, you may need to schedule some time with a spirtual chiropractor.

 

[ArchaicTruth]

holy shiznits, I think I finally get you Zaac....you see, what he's really saying is, HE IS GOD!! This all makes sense now, so what would you have us do your godly lordlinessness? Shall we slaughter gays in the streets? Or maybe we could distribute pamphlets of your almighty biblical translation....

 

[bunced]

I agree wholeheartedly. But if people want to know what God's Word means, they need to ask Him. remarkably, if this was done, people would be amazed at how on the same page everyone would be.

I agree - but it might mean that we all - me included, you included - have to leave behind our most cherished pre-suppositions about God and what His priorities are in the light of His understanding. Sometimes the same page isn't our denomination, however much we may like to think of it as so. It might mean we have to accept that some things have multiple layers of meaning, that the Bible is sometimes not clear but instead sometimes speaks in shades of grey to different people. The Bible is like a many-faced diamond - every time you think you understand it, you turn it again and see something new, something that makes you change your mind all over. It might mean we still have to follow, not so we can know the answers, but follow, even when things are unclear and muddied and there seems no clear explanation.

I know when I spend time with God He blows away my preconceived ideas. And I also know that sometimes his answers to my questions are "trust me".

The Bible is the Word of God. But it is not God, and we should be careful about putting it on a pedestal and pretending it is the ultimate answer to everything - sometimes, instead of the instruction book to life, it feels like the instructions to a flat pack kit where half the pieces are missing.

But I still follow, because, I know, despite the questions, despite the bits where there seems no one answer, that God still speaks through His Word, and it is still relevant, despite the fact I could study from here to eternity and still have bits to learn.

 

[Zaac]

Really? Strange...I continuously ask God what His Word means, and He never tells me that it means what you say it means in this thread.

Is it possible that you're being deceived by a spirit other than God?

God doesn't lie.

Perhaps you need to test the spirit that you think is god.

 

[quatona]

Are you out of breath, q, ?

No, more like frustrated.

 

[Zaac]

I agree - but it might mean that we all - me included, you included - have to leave behind our most cherished pre-suppositions about God and what His priorities are in the light of His understanding. Sometimes the same page isn't our denomination, however much we may like to think of it as so.

I agree with that too and often times tell them as much.

It might mean we have to accept that some things have multiple layers of meaning, that the Bible is sometimes not clear but instead sometimes speaks in shades of grey to different people.

Right here is where we part ways. God is a God of order, not confusion. If people are going to Him for understanding of the same Word, He is not going to give conflicting interpretations.

How He intends for them to use HIS interpretation in application in their lives may vary depending upon their situation, but the meaning will be the same.

The Bible is like a many-faced diamond - every time you think you understand it, you turn it again and see something new, something that makes you change your mind all over

Now why would this be the case for a God of order? If you're going to Him FIRST for understanding and not leaning on your own, He's going to give you truth every time. If you're going to Him, your understanding should grow, but the foundational truths that He initially gave should remain the same.

It might mean we still have to follow, not so we can know the answers, but follow, even when things are unclear and muddied and there seems no clear explanation.

Absolutely. Lots of times if you're not getting an answer, do something. if it's the wrong thing, He will let you know.

I know when I spend time with God He blows away my preconceived ideas. And I also know that sometimes his answers to my questions are "trust me".

Yep.

The Bible is the Word of God. But it is not God, and we should be careful about putting it on a pedestal and pretending it is the ultimate answer to everything - sometimes, instead of the instruction book to life, it feels like the instructions to a flat pack kit where half the pieces are missing.

Absolutely. But in knowing that it is the Word of God, we should also recognize that there is no disorder in it and that if we want an understanding of it, we need to ask Him first.

But I still follow, because, I know, despite the questions, despite the bits where there seems no one answer, that God still speaks through His Word, and it is still relevant, despite the fact I could study from here to eternity and still have bits to learn.

And it will always be that way until we come into a perfect knowledge of understanding with our glorified bodies. Until that time, the truth that He gives and upon which we stand is the standard. And that standard, if we have gotten HIS interpretation, will maintain the cohesiveness of the FULL COUNSEL of His Word.

 

[KomissarSteve]

God doesn't lie.

I know. That's why I'm wondering if it's God who is telling you to read the Scriptures in a way that is totally out-of-sync with the spirit of love embodied by the Gospels.

 

[LouTheWicked]

Isn't wrath one of the seven deadly sins?

 

[Peach81]

Isn't wrath one of the seven deadly sins?

Yes, but tyrants don't follow their own rules.