maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
There are many texts and many translations.
The individual, surviving manuscripts of Hebrew and Greek texts
of the Bible don't differ that much from each other; they all teach
the same doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
The "book" is really a series of many different books, written by
different people in different times, with different purposes.
The Bible is really a series of many different books, written by
different people in different times, but not with different purposes,
insofar as all of the books of the Bible were written under the
inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
We have no original texts.
We have no evidence, and so no reason to assume, that the
surviving manuscripts of Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible differ
in doctrine from the original manuscripts. And true Christians can
recognize God's voice (John 10:27, 8:31b) in the doctrine of the
surviving manuscripts of Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible
(John 8:47).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
What I do read includes many incidents or stories describing horrific
actions purportedly done by God.
The Bible describes no horrific actions done by God; all of his actions
in the Bible (and out) are perfectly righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
God has never answered a single question I have ever asked.
Theological questions are answered by God in the Bible
(2 Timothy 3:15-17).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
I thought I would ask the people who claim to know.
Any theological answer one gets from people must be checked
against what God himself says in the Bible (Acts 17:11b). This is
why some Christians place Bible references after many of their
statements.
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
Understanding is dependent upon evidence and mental capacity.
True understanding is dependent upon the evidence of faith
(Hebrews 11:1) and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-14), both
of which only elect saved people have received miraculously from
God. True understanding is not dependent upon mental capacity,
insofar as it is granted by God to children (2 Timothy 3:15). Those
who think that they have massive mental capacity, and take great
pride in this, must humble themselves as little children if they want
God to miraculously bless them with true understanding
(Matthew 18:3-4).
maddog11 posted in message #102 of this thread:
If it is not possible for Christians to know about and explain
Christianity, then I do not understand the purpose of this forum.
It is possible for Christians to know about and explain Christianity
(1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 2:25-26), through what the Bible itself
teaches (2 Timothy 3:15-16).