What is biblical authority...?

[Clare73]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations
What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

Maybe there's more than one way to skin a cat (in what is not essential to salvation). . .until you discover that your view of a non-essential turns out to impact what is essential?

 

[TedT]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

In my Christian opinion:
Biblical authority means nothing more than the doctrines of each sect are based upon AN INTERPRETATION of the Bible, and not some other holy book. Each interpretation of doctrine then influences the interpretation of other verses by eisegesis and so it goes... Those who claim that their versions and interpretations of scripture prove all others to be wrong are not merey short sighted or full of confidence - they expose their hubris.

As we know, Satan has his own interpretations of scripture which imbue every sect and we also have Paul's admonishment in 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; which was very cloudy indeed given the mirrors of his day. Mirrors also gives a reverse image of the object beheld in them, ie, the truth is not straight forward but must be figured out.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

How many ways does a person read a blueprint for building an aircraft? Is there one correct way to do that? I am assuming so unless there are major problems in flying planes these days because they cannot understand the engineer's plans.

We know that there can only be one correct major interpretation on what the Bible plainly says (Note: I am not discounting secondary meanings to certain verses in the Bible). Anyways, the point I wanted to make is that we have to look at the whole counsel of God's Word when we read Scripture, and not be influenced by outside things like by what men say. To be biblical is to follow what the Bible says and not what man says.

One of the best ways for us to understand the Bible is to... first ask God. When I say to ask God for the understanding on certain tough topics involving Scripture, I am referring to how we need to continually keep asking God for help in understanding what He is trying to say. I believe Cessationism can be supported with Scripture, and yet on the other hand I do leave room that I could be wrong, as well. I do so because I don't want to speak against any real working of God (just in case I am wrong). Yet, on the other hand, there are tons of verses that show that the miraculous sign gifts appeared to have ceased and they were only for the early church. So what should I do? I should keep praying on this topic for God to reveal the truth to me on this topic (if it is His will for me to know). For the Bible does say we do look through a glass darkly. But our authority must always come back to the Bible. That is biblical authority. But some things in life are not always clear, and so I believe it is better to play it safe than to be sorry. But biblical authority is confirming God's Word with God alone and with the Word itself. No man (besides Jesus) can claim to have biblical authority today.

 

[zoidar]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

.

What if everybody got different parts right?

 

[Mountainmike]

Don’t be shy!

in the case of Anglicans it’s something else. Written in Middle Ages.
For anglicans it’s the 38 verses of the gospel of Cranmer.

Which in English is your tradition.
All see scripture through sunglasses.
A Baptist through Baptist sunglasses.
The gospel of cranmer is yours.

Catholic orthodox are the honest ones. They accept faith was handed down. Tradition. And that is needed to give meaning to scripture.

Is the Eucharist real or symbolic? We go back to the post apostolic fathers to see what the meaning was as handed down. So we know it is the real flesh of Jesus. Paul assures us that we should stay true to tradition by word of mouth and letter. Not surprising. It’s all there was for first Christians.

Despite the differences in interpretation of certain verses, it's still the Bible that is being interpreted. And it is considered to be God's word by those doing so.

That's how it is for those denominations, mostly Protestant but of different varieties, which do consider the Bible to be God's word and unequalled by any of the other possibilities you mentioned.

When it comes to the Catholic/Orthodox churches and the cults, however, it is something else that is considered as well when it comes to setting doctrine--Holy Tradition in the Catholic/Orthodox case, and, often, some other sacred writing that is considered also to be God's revelation and, therefore, authoritative by some of the cults.

In answer to the question of authority, then, the choices are far fewer than the number of denominations in existence, but it's right to say that there are at least several different approaches to the issue.

 

[fhansen]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

Due to the limitations of the human interpreter, on many important matters of the faith Scripture simply cannot answer with a degree of certainty apart from the lived experience of the church, which we should all benefit from as I see it. Otherwise we often end up engaging is a sort of best-guess theology. It's one thing to discern God's voice in Scripture, and to be inspired by it. It's another thing, however, to understand the full gospel truth-His will for man- based on Scripture alone.

 

[Clare73]

Due to the limitations of the human interpreter, on
many important matters of the faith Scripture simply cannot answer with a degree of certainty apart from the lived experience of the church,

Such as?

We are talking about taking Scripture at its word in light of the whole counsel of God, right?

which we should all benefit from as I see it. Otherwise we often end up engaging is a sort of best-guess theology. It's one thing to discern God's voice in Scripture, and to be inspired by it. It's another thing, however, to understand the full gospel truth-His will for man- based on Scripture alone.

 

[chad kincham]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

Some people don’t get it - God puts the responsibility on each individual believer to study the scriptures for themselves and determine the truth - not some priest, church, or denomination.

He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us to the truth as we study scripture diligently.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew YOURSELF approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth.

Scripture is the sole arbiter of truth.

2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[fhansen]

We are talking about taking Scripture at its word in light of the whole counsel of God, right?

We're talking about Scripture as being inerrant for the purposes God set forth for it to achieve: the salvation of man. But God uses the church, to, for example, determine and assemble the contents of New Testaments Scripture (the canon), and, as another example, to set forth the doctrine of the Trinity as the deity of Jesus was once hotly contested back in the day, with Scripture having passages that can plausibly enough support either position. Either way, the experience of the church, in both the east and west, including teachings that were received and practiced from the beginning shed light on matters that only became controversial later, by strictly relying on Scripture, such as baptismal regeneration, how man is justified, or the Real Presence.

 

[Tree of Life]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

There are different denominations because they differ on their interpretations of Scripture. They are still all broadly Christian, but they disagree on secondary matters so they choose to do church separately.

 

[Clare73]

We're talking about Scripture as being inerrant for the purposes God set forth for it to achieve: the salvation of man. But God uses the church, to, for example, determine and assemble the contents of New Testaments Scripture (the canon), and, as another example, to set forth[/ the doctrine of the Trinity as the deity of Jesus was once hotly contested back in the day, with Scripture having passages that can plausibly enough support either

position. Either way, the experience of the church, in both the east and west, including teachings that were received and practiced from the beginning shed light on matters that only became controversial later, by strictly relying on Scripture, such as baptismal regeneration, how man is justified, or the Real Presence.

Thanks. . .I find Scripture clear on those matters.

And remember, there was error and controversy in the beginning, some of it received, practiced and handed down, which is corrected by the Word of God written.

 

[Clare73]

Some people don’t get it - God puts the responsibility on each individual believer to study the scriptures for themselves and determine the truth - not some priest, church, or denomination.

He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us to the truth as we study scripture diligently.

He also appoints teachers for the same (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:7).

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew YOURSELF approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth.

Scripture is the sole arbiter of truth.

2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[chad kincham]

He also appoints teachers for the same (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:7).

And the bereans are called noble in scripture for not taking Paul’s teaching as a fact, until they searched the scriptures, to see if it be so.

The onus is on the believer to study and come to the truth.

 

[Clare73]

And the bereans are called mole in scripture for not taking Paul’s teaching as a fact, until they searched the scriptures, to see if it be so.

The onus is on the believer to study and come to the truth.

Noble? Yep, and they found it was true.

 

[fhansen]

He also appoints teachers for the same (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:7).

Yes, and that's an important point. There's still a question as to who is actually given that appointment. Many are called but apparently a lot more answer-as is suggested by the variety of teachings we may hear.

 

[Clare73]

Yes, and that's an important point. There's still a question as to who is actually given that appointment. Many are called but apparently a lot more answer-as is suggested by the variety of teachings we may hear.

The Holy Spirit gives the "appointment."

Do they claim to be teachers?

 

[Loversofjesus_2018]

Maybe there's more than one way to skin a cat (in what is not essential to salvation). . .until you discover that your view of a non-essential turns out to impact what is essential?

Why do people say essential and non essential. And who have anyone the authority to label parts of scripture as such?

 

[AubreyM]

@Saint Steven : Question, what is biblical authority.

In a sensical view it seems that you would desire to look at the who, what, why, when, and how scenario in scripture.

Along with the introductions of all the new testament letters.

Then also get a sense of the audience of the surrounding context, then supplement your view and perspective of what is really being said.

If you ask me personally who has authority, it would not be us human beings. For we are fallible, we are not the chosen disciples nor are any of us apostles.

The authority would be God.

The spirit of Christ, and holy spirit that works in people who believe would be of God.

The reference would be the word of God.

What do you see biblical authority as?

 

[fhansen]

The Holy Spirit gives the "appointment."

Do they claim to be teachers?

I'd certainly think that an appointed teacher should know it if that's what you're asking. But what I'm saying is that, even though James says in chap 3, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly", many non-appointees nonetheless apparently consider themselves to be teachers anyway, just going by the obvious: the many different and sometimes false teachings and disagreements on teachings that are promulgated out there. This is similar to the way one person claims to be Spirit-led in his/her interpretation while another disagrees completely while likewise claiming to be Spirit-led, probably both sincere in their claims, BTW.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What is biblical authority when differing denominational interpretations are based on tradition, experience, and even rational thought? (decision of a council)

Consider what 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen mean to a:
- Charismatic/Pentecostal/Continuationist
- Baptist/Calvinist/Cessationist
- Catholic/Orthodox
- or any other denominations

What is the basis for these denominational differences? What is the biblical authority in these cases? (since none of them agree)

Biblical Authority means in some contexts Bible = God.

Biblical Authority in some contexts means My interpretation = Authority.

It tends to translate to every individual being their own pope.