Knowledge, Belief, Agreement and Credibility

[BigRedBus]

I think a person can have knowledge of the Bible, belief in it, and agreement on the interpretation of it in many different combinations of Yes, No and Partly. Some combinations are more interesting or more likely than others, particularly in the context of this forum.

For example, a person could know it well, but not believe it literally – or even at all.

Or a person could know it well, believe it literally, but then go on to reach different conclusions to another person who also knows it well and believes it literally (and yes, that really is possible!)

Or someone could not know it very well, but still believe it literally.

There is potential for so many different combinations.

So... can anyone be in a position to make a statement about the credibility of someone else’s views and about what that qualifies them to comment on? If so, why?

 

[StormyOne]

I think a person can have knowledge of the Bible, belief in it, and agreement on the interpretation of it in many different combinations of Yes, No and Partly. Some combinations are more interesting or more likely than others, particularly in the context of this forum.

For example, a person could know it well, but not believe it literally – or even at all.

Or a person could know it well, believe it literally, but then go on to reach different conclusions to another person who also knows it well and believes it literally (and yes, that really is possible!)

Or someone could not know it very well, but still believe it literally.

There is potential for so many different combinations.

So... can anyone be in a position to make a statement about the credibility of someone else’s views and about what that qualifies them to comment on? If so, why?

The problem I think is that we too often focus on "being right" as opposed to listening to each other and then deciding what to do with what has been shared... we are entitled to believe anything we wish and no one is under any obligation to believe as we do, however it seems that some of us are on a mission to convince others to believe as we do.... when that happens the issue of who is credible, who isn't, etc becomes a problem...

 

[Byfaithalone1]

The problem I think is that we too often focus on "being right" as opposed to listening to each other and then deciding what to do with what has been shared... we are entitled to believe anything we wish and no one is under any obligation to believe as we do, however it seems that some of us are on a mission to convince others to believe as we do.... when that happens the issue of who is credible, who isn't, etc becomes a problem...

I used to think it was all moot, that no one ever changes his mind while reading posts in an online forum. However, I've noticed that my own perspective has changed over time as I've been exposed to ideas that are different than my own. I wonder whether my change in perspective was due to something another person wrote or in spite of it.

BFA

 

[VictorC]

I used to think it was all moot, that no one ever changes his mind while reading posts in an online forum.

That isn't true in my case.
Some of the information FreeRain and FreeIndeed have brought to the table has shown me items I didn't know in Scripture, and changed my perspective concerning the sabbath forever. I am no longer a sabbatarian because of an online forum.

 

[StormyOne]

I used to think it was all moot, that no one ever changes his mind while reading posts in an online forum. However, I've noticed that my own perspective has changed over time as I've been exposed to ideas that are different than my own. I wonder whether my change in perspective was due to something another person wrote or in spite of it.

BFA

if you are exposed to it then there is a possibility that it may have an effect... and that's not a bad thing....

 

[VictorC]

Or a person could know it well, believe it literally, but then go on to reach different conclusions to another person who also knows it well and believes it literally (and yes, that really is possible!)

I suppose its possible if a veil remains over the eyes of someone who doesn't see the story of redemption in the Bible. But other than that, I take an approach to Scripture as one does to an instruction manual - and it is the responsibility of the Author to convey the message presented, not the reader. Regardless of a "different conclusion" reached by the reader of the instructions, the washer isn't going to fit after the nut has been installed onto the bolt.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

if you are exposed to it then there is a possibility that it may have an effect... and that's not a bad thing....

On the contrary, it is a very good thing.

BFA