Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm reading a book which says that when the Gnostics and the Orthodox Christians debated the nature of God, they at the same time debated spiritual authority. What is meant by spiritual authority here? Is it: 3. Of, from, or relating to God; deific. Authority from God? Is it meant divine? Thanks
I think we'd probably need to see the context to be sure.
Having said that, the gnostics believed that there was some sort of "hidden knowledge" - meaning that they can get some kind of special revelation from God. Christians have historically held to the idea of Scripture, and the apostle's teaching as historical. So I guess, the debate would be.....what is authoritative? The feeling inside you get? Or scripture?
[quote=Vizio;34628002]I think we'd probably need to see the context to be sure.
Having said that, the gnostics believed that there was some sort of "hidden knowledge" - meaning that they can get some kind of special revelation from God. Christians have historically held to the idea of Scripture, and the apostle's teaching as historical. So I guess, the debate would be.....what is authoritative? The feeling inside you get? Or scripture?[/quote]
I think there is a lot more to it than a simple dichotomy. Is there really any well-defined "authority" in scripture? Well, no, except that we would be guided by the Spirit. The point then is to examine any question using ALL the tools avaoilable with a mind and heart open to the leading of the Spirit.
What the Gnostics and the more mainstream were debating needs to be better defined. Perhaps more context from your source?
I think we'd probably need to see the context to be sure.
Having said that, the gnostics believed that there was some sort of "hidden knowledge" - meaning that they can get some kind of special revelation from God. Christians have historically held to the idea of Scripture, and the apostle's teaching as historical. So I guess, the debate would be.....what is authoritative? The feeling inside you get? Or scripture?[/quote]
I think there is a lot more to it than a simple dichotomy. Is there really any well-defined "authority" in scripture? Well, no, except that we would be guided by the Spirit. The point then is to examine any question using ALL the tools avaoilable with a mind and heart open to the leading of the Spirit.
What the Gnostics and the more mainstream were debating needs to be better defined. Perhaps more context from your source?
We know that we read in scripture that all scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for instruction and correction. So yes--there is an authority -- it's the words of the apostles as recorded in scripture.
Spiritual authority is the power Jesus gives all Christians who get convert to Christ.......... See Jesus inherited all the authority of Heaven and earth, and then He gives this authority to the body of Christ , as Jesus is the head and this authority come from the name and identity of Jesus Christ ............ See Jesus will not rebuke the devil for any Christians , as He expects Christians to rebuke the devil in unity with His name and identity to remove the devil , demons and fallen angels in Christians and prayer for others ............... See why the devil ? , see the devil will bring sickness and disease , and death and sin to people and even Christians , , which Jesus wants His children's to be free of these world spirits and be blessed , so when you see Christians who are ill then unusually they do not exercises the authority in Christ ........... See some will see this and say this is only for the gifted in the Spirit of Christ , where Jesus spirit wants all His Children under this authority Jesus give Us as Jesus said in Mark 16:15-18.....``Go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature ..He that believes and is baptized will be save , and he that believes not will be damned ...........And these signs will follow them that believe , in My name they cast out devils , they will speak with new tongues ...They will take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it will not hurt them they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover ......``....See NOWHERE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT DOES IT SAY JESUS WILL REBUKE THE devil FOR BELIEVERS
We know that we read in scripture that all scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for instruction and correction. So yes--there is an authority -- it's the words of the apostles as recorded in scripture.
Dear vizio,
That begs the question as to who are the apostles, and who recorded what. Who wrote Hebrews, Acts, Luke, and a lot of the epistles whose authors are in question. For that matter, there are questions as to the authors of the gospels, as well as the integrety of their content. Who compiled the first canon which matches what you use, and who published the first bible, and what did it contain? As for your "scripture" which states "all scripture is God-breathed", did it actually refer to itself, and was all the bible even written at the time of that statement? Are there the same number of books in the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox church? When Yeshua referred to "Scripture which cannot be broken", what was he referring too? Was the Protestant canon original derived from a Protestant, or a Roman church bishop in the 4th century?
I'm reading a book which says that when the Gnostics and the Orthodox Christians debated the nature of God, they at the same time debated spiritual authority. What is meant by spiritual authority here? Is it: 3. Of, from, or relating to God; deific. Authority from God? Is it meant divine? Thanks
Spiritual authority would be that given to the oversears/bishops in regard to the congregation. As an example they can judge and individual and expell him from the congregation based on that authority. That expulsion is not a judgement of his salvation per-se but of his conduct and danger to the ekklesia.
I think there is a lot more to it than a simple dichotomy. Is there really any well-defined "authority" in scripture? Well, no, except that we would be guided by the Spirit. The point then is to examine any question using ALL the tools available with a mind and heart open to the leading of the Spirit.
Dungeons and dragons have consumed the hearts and minds of certain men.
We know that we read in scripture that all scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for instruction and correction. So yes--there is an authority -- it's the words of the apostles as recorded in scripture.
That would be Inspired by God . . . NOT dictated, Vizio. and it is ONLY USEFUL (profitable) . . . NOT definitive. That is WHY the Comforter is with us and can guide us to the truth God has "written in our heart" under the New Covenant. The Comforter is the spiritual authority . . . NOT words "written in ink." Christ abides with us and it is His spiritual authority that governs . . . NOT the interpretations of men about words "written in ink."
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What is meant by spiritual authority?
