not the point of this thread. thr burden of proof is on you since you are the one who is telling us to theologically support the nation state of Israel. if you wanna know our take on interpretation, fine, but that is another thread.
so, I'll ask again, how do you know you are reading the Scripture correctly?
Matt, I have told you why I believe it is important to support Israel based on a number of texts in the Bible, I have also explained that as Christians we have a debt to the Jewish people, and strongly suggested if we understood the heart of G-d to the Jews whom He chose, then we would align ourselves with His attitude.
If you don't believe that is what Scripture says and need to be 're-explained' then that is up to you...if you believe I am theologically out in left field, that is fine, but I have sincerely given you the evidence, and will happily lay more before you.
In this thread one can't help but touch on other issues, that are not so much a side-track as an addenda that form an integral part of discussing and arguing about the issues at stake...you have ducked out of explaining to me how the Scriptures you gave clearly demonstrate the 'teaching of the Church is perfect'...it is relevant, because it sets a precedent of how and why you view things the way you do.
I exercise faith when I read the Bible...in other words I trust that the Holy Spirit is going to illuminate my understanding. When I get to some deeper issues I consult books by learned and gifted men, or I ask those that have a degree of spiritual authority or the wisdom of study and experience...I also discuss things the whole time with my brethren...just like I am doing now. So in answer to your question (again) I do my best to check and double check everything, but more importantly to live out the Bible and be obedient to the Word of G-d.
I don't ever claim to be right....what I claim is to teach what I have been taught from the Bible myself, and if I am wrong on an issue I expect the Holy Spirit to make it evident to me at some stage possibly through any of the methods I have already mentioned, including friends, reading and ministries. I like that bit in Acts 18:26 where the very gifted teacher Apollos was taken aside by Priscilla and Aquila and explained the Word more accurately, and I find that through the years ones understanding on certain things get better rounded, has more depth and better clarity.
I won't get onto the Cult thing again as you are too ungracious in your reply and don't seem to grasp the differences.
you said....
no, that promise was given to the Body that Christ started, which is a historic Body, that is visable. people are not just Christians and then a part of that Body because they think the Spirit is moving them.
I don't think again you have an understanding of Scripture on this point, because your argument is against what is clearly stated again and again.
1 Cor 12:27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
Rom 12:4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one
body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body
You have some very weird ideas about Christians that don't come from the same tradition as you do, its almost as if you don't see us as part of the Body of Christ because we don't happen to be Orthodox...which if you follow it to its logical conclusion...means you are right in everything and everyone else is not. (this is the strong impression I get, and have also had with some Catholic brethren).
You ask for evidence of Christianity being divided since its inception...well just look at Paul castigating the Corinthians and trying to sort out their mess...or at Galatians where he despairs of them getting back under the Law...or have a look in Revelations where 7 Christian communities are pin-pointed by the Spirit and already they have major issues.
Ecc 7:Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."
lastly you say....[QUOTE]no it isn't. all things are possible with God. we are talking about dogmatic differences, where is it in Scripture that some doctrines are improtant, and some are not?[/quote]
You have doctrines within Orthodoxy that I do not accept regarding Mary, Angels and the Saints...that is not a salvation issue, I believe you have been misled by the traditions of men, but should I let an issue like that stop me from accepting you as my brother in Christ...whereas if you said you believed Jesus was an angelic being and not the Son as expressed throughout Scripture, then that would be a doctrine that differentiated between us on the very nature of our salvation and we would not be of the same faith.