scriptures in support of an idea

[twin1954]

The only thing about this that raises a question is the fact that SO MANY believers feel differently about what Scriptures say. We even have someone over on GT arguing that premarital sex and divorce are perfectly find with God - and citing Scripture to that effect (although not very convincingly lol)

I have come upon many instances, since I became a Christian, where my personal understanding of truth didn't match up with Scripture. I had to grow and learn the difference between what "I" feel is right and what Scripture says is right.

For instance, when I became a Christian, I was unmarried and living with the father of my child. I disagreed strongly with "this crazy religious notion of no sex before marriage" and so I did some studying on what the Bible says about it, and found that no matter how I felt, I was wrong. My human reasoning - the reasoning of someone who loves Jesus and desires to serve Him the best I can - was wrong. It wasn't because I wasn't saved, but because my mind is subject to the culture of this world, which differs greatly from Biblical commands.

The problem with so many believers thinking different things about the Scriptures is that most of those who call themselves believers aren't. All true believers agree on the essential truths plainly revealed in the Scriptures and the rest we walk in the light given to us. The power of the Scriptures isn't that they can shape our thinking, any well written self help book can do that, but in thier truths which point us continually to Christ. They are sharp and powerful so that they break us and build us up. They convict us and comfort us. They rebuke us and guide us in the way. They feed us and sustain us. They kill us and they make us alive. Their power is the Spirit which teaches us the things of Christ from them.

 

[bricklayer]

The problem with so many believers thinking different things about the Scriptures is that most of those who call themselves believers aren't. All true believers agree on the essential truths plainly revealed in the Scriptures and the rest we walk in the light given to us. The power of the Scriptures isn't that they can shape our thinking, any well written self help book can do that, but in thier truths which point us continually to Christ. They are sharp and powerful so that they break us and build us up. They convict us and comfort us. They rebuke us and guide us in the way. They feed us and sustain us. They kill us and they make us alive. Their power is the Spirit which teaches us the things of Christ from them.

In my opinion, the biggest "problem" in that regard is the assumption that the truths in the Scriptures are self-evident. Such is to lean on one's own understanding.

 

[twin1954]

In my opinion, the biggest "problem" in that regard is the assumption that the truths in the Scriptures are self-evident. Such is to lean on one's own understanding.

I would agree. I am convinced that the Scriptures are written is such a way as to be a stumbling block to those who want a religion from them but notthe God revealed by them. The natural man can easily read the words and understand all the connotations and defintions and never find the message of the Book. The Pharisees had just such a problem as do most "Christians" today.

 

[bricklayer]

I would agree. I am convinced that the Scriptures are written is such a way as to be a stumbling block to those who want a religion from them but notthe God revealed by them. The natural man can easily read the words and understand all the connotations and defintions and never find the message of the Book. The Pharisees had just such a problem as do most "Christians" today.

I agree.

God has hidden the truths of the Bible as well as He has revealed them.
These are revealed truths; they are not self-evident truths.
They are not ours for the taking; they are His for the giving.

The whole idea smacks of a claim of objectivity.

If I had to put it in a nut shell, I'd say that the most common obstacle I encounter in theological polemics is a failure to recognize that, although what is implied by God in scripture is objective, what is inferred by man is subjective.

For years, now long ago, I failed to recognize that I am not objective.
I hope that those years helped prepare me to help others in like error.