Puzzled

[Ioustinos]

I don't know what it is but I find it difficult to understand how Christians who claim to believe in the Inspiration of Scriptures can hold to a view that places certain sections or books of Scripture on different "levels" of inspiration.

For example I just read in a thread on the General Theology board two members say they trust Jesus' words more than those of the Apostle Paul. This is not the first time I have seen people state that they trust or prefer Jesus' words more than someone like the Apostle Paul. Yet this greatly puzzles me and makes me wonder if these people understand the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture or if they truly belive in this doctrine at all.


What are your thoughts? Is this the effect of post-modernism? Or is it just the result of the lack of doctrinal teaching within the Church today?

God Bless

 

[tigersnare]

What are your thoughts? Is this the effect of post-modernism? Or is it just the result of the lack of doctrinal teaching within the Church today?

God Bless

Wouldn't that be more of a moderism view? Attacking the credibility of Paul the person... I might be way off, need to pick up my world view book again.

I'd say it's just the by product of poor doctrinal preaching these days. I turned on Joel Osteen today and watched him preach to THOUSANDS without ever teaching one single verse, not to mention not even saying the name "Jesus" until the very end of the sermon when he leads a "sinner's prayer". When you have that many people under that kind of teaching, I'm 'sure there are winds of doctrine being blown all through that place....I mean who's gonna stop it?

 

[Tertiumquid]

I don't know what it is but I find it difficult to understand how Christians who claim to believe in the Inspiration of Scriptures can hold to a view that places certain sections or books of Scripture on different "levels" of inspiration.

Hi Jesaiah,

Without having read the post (or wanting to), I wouldn't argue for different levels of inspiration, but I would argue for different levels of importance. For example, one of the major keys to unlocking the Christological meaning of Scripture is Paul's letter to the Romans. It really is the heart of the Bible, and presents what a sinner needs most to know: salvation by grace through faith alone. I've read George Orwell once said something like, "all the books of the Bible are equal, but some are more equal than others."

On the other hand, I think modern-day Bibles are in error for putting the words of Jesus in red, in order to distinguish them from the other words in Scripture.This sets up the situation in which the words of Jesus are more important than the other words in black. But think for a minute: who is the author of all of Scripture? Simple yet profound answer: The Holy Spirit. How could anyone argue for levels of inspiration if this fundamental point is grasped? The Lord said all scripture was about him anyway.

I Wouldn't want to be involved with a thread like the one you're reading. In the words of Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "RUN AWAY!"

God Bless,
James Swan
http://www.ntrmin.org/rccorner-reformation.htm

 

[Ioustinos]

Wouldn't that be more of a moderism view? Attacking the credibility of Paul the person... I might be way off, need to pick up my world view book again.

You may be correct there on it being more of an effect of modernism rather than post-modernism.

I was thinking that it is funny how that Jesus was not the human author that wrote the Gospels. Rather it was men inspired by the Holy Spirit such as Matthew, Mark, Luke (who was a close friend to Paul) and John, so though they may not realize it they are trusting these men more than Paul....not Christ.

Just a thought....

 

[JJB]

I have seen similar ideas posted and talked about, too. It does puzzle me as well. Another puzzler for me is Christian's not believing the same thing Christ did: namely, the flood, Adam and Eve, etc....

I probably place blame on churches' doorstep, as well as modernism. If churches had classes on doctrine, I think people would flock to them. But since "doctrine" can now be viewed s divisive, churches tend to shy away from such topics. Does that mean they are ashamed of theology? I don't know. Still wrestling with this whole topic of why churches do not wrestle over their own theology.

I have noticed that it has become more prominent since I now attend a non-denom. When I was in a Presbyterian fellowship, things were clear cut!

 

[Ioustinos]

Hi Jesaiah,

Without having read the post (or wanting to), I wouldn't argue for different levels of inspiration, but I would argue for different levels of importance.

I agree with that statement. One can definately find higher levels of doctrinal teaching in the book of Romans than say the book of 3rd John. Yet we must hold that while one book may hold deeper levels of revelation about God and his redemptive plan, they are all equal in that they are given to us by the Holy Spirit.

On the other hand, I think modern-day Bibles are in error for putting the words of Jesus in red, in order to distinguish them from the other words in Scripture.This sets up the situation in which the words of Jesus are more important than the other words in black. But think for a minute: who is the author of all of Scripture? Simple yet profound answer: The Holy Spirit. How could anyone argue for levels of inspiration if this fundamental point is grasped? The Lord said all scripture was about him anyway.

Although I like Christ's words in red (mainly because that was how my first Bible was...so it's more of a comfort thing) I agree with your assesment. If we truly understand the Inspiration of Scripture then we would know the words in red are just as inspired and as important as those in black ink. No matter what color they are in...as you stated...they all speak and point to Christ.

I Wouldn't want to be involved with a thread like the one you're reading. In the words of Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "RUN AWAY!"

Run....run away...you and your K-nigits!!!!

 

[Ioustinos]

I probably place blame on churches' doorstep, as well as modernism. If churches had classes on doctrine, I think people would flock to them. But since "doctrine" can now be viewed s divisive, churches tend to shy away from such topics. Does that mean they are ashamed of theology? I don't know. Still wrestling with this whole topic of why churches do not wrestle over their own theology.

I have noticed that it has become more prominent since I now attend a non-denom. When I was in a Presbyterian fellowship, things were clear cut!

I believe that some of the blame can be placed on the "seeker sensitive" agenda that has taken over today's Evangelical churches. As you said, I believe it is the whole issue of not coming across as devisive and trying to be sensitive so they do not want to offend anyone by taking a definite stance. I know that there is a sincere desire amongst the churches to see people saved, yet we must present the truth of Scriptures and trust God to draw men unto himself through the proclamation of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[cygnusx1]

I have just finished several days of intensive discussions with an Orthodox Christian in Soteriology ....... final conclusion .......


I can now see what the Reformation was all about , it was all about Authority !!

The Doctrines of Grace came out once men were free from the 'Authority' of the "church militant" and discovered the only true place for authority , God's sacred Word alone.

Thank God for the Reformation.

 

[Knight]

All Scripture is God-breathed.

"All Scripture" means all Scripture.

 

[Donald1818]

they are poorly taught.
they dont recogonise the authority jesus gives to the apostoles. they are true ists. jesus was sinless so just go to the source, forget about mans involvement. i hear that a lot. inspiration is not the key its sola scriptora, and the sole authority of the whole word.
jesus quotes a lot of the OT
david, job, moses, and many others. were thay to be ignored as well b 4 jesus got on the scene?
Don

 

[Jon_]

(John 5:39 KJV) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

(2 Tim. 3:16 KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Soli Deo Gloria

Jon