I think this where there can be no reconciliation because there are two completely different ideas about what the Church is. Is the Church merely the teachings of Christ which the Apostles taught or is the communion of the Apostles as well? Does the Church go beyond true teaching to include the community as I and I would say most Christians believe? Apostolocity is not merely the true teaching of the faith it is also the real communal connection between people first in the Apostles with Christ and through those the Apostles likewise formed communal attachments too.
If only true doctrine, correct thought, is what matters then unity is not important, only adherence to a set of ideas which makes Christianity more a Philosophy than it does a whole new way of life which governs our relationship with others as well as our personal beliefs.
Now I'm not exactly sure what you mean by these quotations. Can you clarify your thoughts on the texts you have quoted? I know my opinion of them but what is yours?
***
It comes down to "words" and their meanings and how they are used in the context of what is being said. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT). These languages were and are a lot more fluent/descriptive as compared to English.
What I do when studying the Bible, is look up word in the original languages to determine the definition of what that word means in the original language (i am so thankful for the internet in order to do this quickly). The meaning of words in languages can change or be added to, especially the English language.
Philosophy - a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs. (there are other definitions, you can go look them up). However, but "what" is philosophy based on?
Regarding the Bible = Those who believe the Holy Bible is the Word of God then it is
way way way more than something that governs our relationship(s) with others (meaning mankind). Believing God is the creator. This belief then guides a person based on that belief. It is a historical book. It is also a prophetic book (predicting the future) and in order to do this accurately is beyond amazing. In the end, I really do believe it boils down to what one believes about creation. If God then the Holy Bible, if not God then one can believe, rationalize or use philosophy based on anything.
If God is the Creator, then what was/is his purpose for creating us? If not God then no particular purpose for us being here ... we are just are here.
We humans have a lot of questions about life and are always searching for answers, that's the way we were created .... or not .... we still search for answers. We are very complex and ponder complex things.
Complex: So complicated or intricate as to be hard to understand or deal with:
So, because I believe the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God (all of it) and that is where my conversations comes from. I study it continually to try and understand what is it my creator wants me to know .... why? Because He created me with reasons ... What are those reasons? What is the truth of what He is saying in His Word?
Of course there is a lot more, these are just a few statements.
Back to our topic of discussion:
According to the word "church" biblically it is the "church" that Jesus built on Himself, His teachings. His "church" it is the people that follow His teachings. Those people are found in many denominations (organized church systems) and also not in organized church systems, people who do not attend "organized church" yet study His Word.
With Christianity there are so many different denominations (church systems) because all do not agree on "words" and what those words really mean and how they are applied to us (mankind). But that's a good thing, because it keeps all looking, discussing, searching Gods word, searching for knowledge, understanding of our creator and ourselves.
Daniel 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Yes, knowledge shall be increased on many levels. But what is true?
30 As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.
31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “
If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.”
And so it is ... we all run to and fro, a slow process whether one believes in God or not. ;o)
free - Greek
eleutheros: free, i.e. not a slave or not under restraint
Original Word: ἐλεύθερος, έρα, ερον
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: eleutheros
Phonetic Spelling: (el-yoo'-ther-os)
Short Definition: free, delivered from obligation
Definition: free, delivered from obligation.
HELPS Word-studies
1658 eleútheros (an adjective) – properly,
free (
liberated), unbound (unshackled); (figuratively)
free to realize one's destiny in Christ.
Amen.