Direct textuality

[fellowshipseeker]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share something with you all that I've been coming to understand over the last few months, to do with how we present the faith.

I come to see how very easy it is for us to learn our faith INDIRECTLY.

That is to say, from Christian materials other than the 4 Gospels. There are obviously all kinds of Christian devotional books, church documents, creeds, Christian charities, worship songs etc. etc.

Although these things are all CONNECTED to the Gospel text, they are not the text itself.

It's quite easy to fall into the trap of being in Christian CULTURE without ever having taken the time to properly read the SOURCE TEXT of the faith, the 4 Gospels.

I've come to believe that we need to be taken directly through the 4 Gospels when we first begin to explore the faith, to ensure we are GROUNDED IN THE TEXT.

Has anyone else ever felt/experienced this?

 

[Greg J.]

I've come to believe that we need to be taken directly through the 4 Gospels when we first begin to explore the faith, to ensure we are GROUNDED IN THE TEXT.

To say we need to be taken through is consistent with Jesus' command to make disciples. If the person is ready for it, then what you suggest is great, but a lot of people aren't ready to have the gospels explained to them. Even explaining one chapter may bring up so many issues that they will be overloaded with information. What would be best for a person needs to be a judgment call. For some, placing any burden on them would push them away. For some it might be best to tell them that they can read most of Jesus' own words in the Bible in the gospels, and for them to take a look at something in them, then a couple days later ask them what they think of what they've read (to urge them to read it if they haven't already, as well).

IMO, it is profitable to give them the most basic instruction verbally. "You need to get to know Jesus, who has forgiven your sins through dying for you." The most important avenues are to read the Bible, be obedient (but they'll need help interpreting some of what they read), pray to God, and whatever else is on your heart to tell them.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (Acts 15:19, 1984 NIV)

I bolded some of the Great Commission below, not necessarily because it should be emphasized to a new Christian, but because so many Christians forget Jesus commanded us to do this.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (bold and underline mine, Matthew 28:19-20, 1984 NIV)

 

[Commander]

It's called revelation, and the more you read the New Testament the more that will be revealed.

 

[Ken Behrens]

I think you are absolutely correct. A person who follows Jesus by following someone who is following Jesus will miss a great deal of Jesus, because the person in front of him, between him and Jesus, is blocking his view of Jesus. Non-Scriptural readings are great motivators, but only the actual word of God is sufficient as a foundation to build a life on.

I find the same problem with translated bibles also. When you get far enough a along, you simply must learn enough Hebrew and Greek to get all the tenses and nuances right.

 

[MWood]

And after your students get a good understanding of Jesus' life and message, start them on the letters of Paul. He is the only one that explains what Jesus' death on the Cross did for the whole world and where we are today in our standing with God.

 

[seeking.IAM]

...It's quite easy to fall into the trap of being in Christian CULTURE without ever having taken the time to properly read the SOURCE TEXT of the faith, the 4 Gospels.

I've come to believe that we need to be taken directly through the 4 Gospels when we first begin to explore the faith, to ensure we are GROUNDED IN THE TEXT.

I understand what you are trying to convey and do not disagree with it, but when reading your post I wanted to rearrange some words.

• I prefer "The FAITH is the source text of the Gospels" for the faith did not spring forth from the Gospels, but the Gospels sprang forth from the faith.
• We are not called to be "Grounded in the text." We should read the text because we should be "GROUNDED IN THE FAITH."

It works better for me that way.

Blessings.
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[DPMartin]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share something with you all that I've been coming to understand over the last few months, to do with how we present the faith.

I come to see how very easy it is for us to learn our faith INDIRECTLY.

That is to say, from Christian materials other than the 4 Gospels. There are obviously all kinds of Christian devotional books, church documents, creeds, Christian charities, worship songs etc. etc.

Although these things are all CONNECTED to the Gospel text, they are not the text itself.

It's quite easy to fall into the trap of being in Christian CULTURE without ever having taken the time to properly read the SOURCE TEXT of the faith, the 4 Gospels.

I've come to believe that we need to be taken directly through the 4 Gospels when we first begin to explore the faith, to ensure we are GROUNDED IN THE TEXT.

Has anyone else ever felt/experienced this?

Your point is valid, should you hear from the Lord Himself or what someone says about and thinks He says. The Lord God does a lot of direct speaking about the affairs of man in His Presence in the Torah also. Hence the difference between revelation within the relationship mentioned in 1 John and theology what man thinks.

The example of this is what did the Lord God say about the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and what was said by the serpent about what God said.

But it comes to trust, who do you trust, is it what God says, or what someone says about what God says that appeals to your wants or want to believe to justify one’s own judgements of what is good.

I recommend you should read the Gospel according to John KJV first. John was a Beloved in the Lord's site and a direct witness of the things he wrote about, and is explicit on who and what the Lord Jesus Christ is.