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It's interesting to see the contrast between the youthful, green, trained, churchy responses, and the more mature, educated, well-rounded responses those who can see the big picture. The first remind me of when I was just a "babe in Christ", and the church ruled my thinking. Praise God I got beyond that! The Holy Spirit - though quiet and requiring inward listening, respect, and attention - always leads in the right direction compared to the churches and man-teaching.
Bottom line: The bible - as we have it - isn't representative of what Jesus would have for us, and most "churches" around us are not representative of the spiritual church he initiated. Mankind has failed on both sides, though some (on the narrow path) still get it right. That's still possible, despite the odds.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 09-16-2022 at 11:52 AM..
I asked this on another thread but maybe that drags that thread off topic so....
If you believe God inspired or literally wrote the Bible why do you think He did that?
It's a recorded history of the creation, fall, and redemption of mankind.
He inspired it. He did not directly write it, or dictate it. He allowed human writers to use their personal styles and he inspired them to communicate the exact message he wanted. Why? Because it glorifies him. As God, he is worthy of any glory we can give to him. He is the ultimate being in the universe, and deserves it.
It's a recorded history of the creation, fall, and redemption of mankind.
He inspired it. He did not directly write it, or dictate it. He allowed human writers to use their personal styles and he inspired them to communicate the exact message he wanted. Why? Because it glorifies him. As God, he is worthy of any glory we can give to him. He is the ultimate being in the universe, and deserves it.
What does that wisdom give you? That is pretty much how I see it too. I just don't think it's any more inspired that any other book that contains wisdom.
It's a recorded history of the creation, fall, and redemption of mankind.
He inspired it. He did not directly write it, or dictate it. He allowed human writers to use their personal styles and he inspired them to communicate the exact message he wanted. Why? Because it glorifies him. As God, he is worthy of any glory we can give to him. He is the ultimate being in the universe, and deserves it.
I really don't get this God wants glory hypothesis. Jesus came to earth as one of us and died a sinner's death. I think the Bible shows that was because since He "owns" humanity He knew it was on Him to protect us.
It's interesting to see the contrast between the youthful, green, trained, churchy responses, and the more mature, educated, well-rounded responses those who can see the big picture. The first remind me of when I was just a "babe in Christ", and the church ruled my thinking. Praise God I got beyond that! The Holy Spirit - though quiet and requiring inward listening, respect, and attention - always leads in the right direction compared to the churches and man-teaching.
Bottom line: The bible - as we have it - isn't representative of what Jesus would have for us, and most "churches" around us are not representative of the spiritual church he initiated. Mankind has failed on both sides, though some (on the narrow path) still get it right. That's still possible, despite the odds.
The fear of God and the conditioning was too strong from the indoctrination of the fabled wrathful and vengeful God who kicked us out of Eden and cursed us for our first and only act of disobedience (and eventually wiped us all out but one family). It was too strong a belief system for even Jesus to overcome with His personal presence and Divinity.
I despair that it can be overcome given the predominant thinking within the churches. They keep trying to rationalize all the contradictions and inconsistencies in the Bible to pretend it is the inerrant and infallible word of God instead of Jesus who IS the ONE and ONLY Word of God (Logos). It is a travesty!
Jimmy John Churchmaster states that the BIBLE is to be carried around to thump people with, and flash in their faces. It shall serveth as a weapon for bullying and tormenting the godless Heathens, sayeth the Lord
Last edited by Thoreau424; 09-16-2022 at 02:17 PM..
I really don't get this God wants glory hypothesis. Jesus came to earth as one of us and died a sinner's death. I think the Bible shows that was because since He "owns" humanity He knew it was on Him to protect us.
Good thread
There is that ownership of the generic Adamic humanity and His creation being under His control
However I think that the glory God wants is His own people being able to reflect His nature throughout the personal human creation
What happens is the religious tend to over-focus on the physical, ritual, traditional things that they do and believe and is there for the purpose of gathering like with like in one place and is public and have overstepped or misunderstood the boundaries that exist between the public and the personal
It’s like with our literal, physical children, most of us would want them to be responsible, respectful, independent adults and to also pass on those qualities on to their own children - not as owners or masters of them
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