Originally Posted by
Axe
MJ,
All this is interesting. My question to you is, can you put forth all of these ideas using only the Bible?
If so, I would be happy to hear more. I hope you understand that my response to the "serpent seed" was in no
way a condemnation of different ways of interpreting Scripture.
There are rules of logic and interpretation. Why?
I can hear you respond, "rules close the mind and bind to the lie."
Yes, well without a sense of context and structure minds will be open to anything.
I give you Jim Jones. Harry Krishna. Mao.
So, if you can, are willing to, or even have the inkling to put forth your "structure"
of interpretation before hand, just so we know that someone is not just making things
up as they go, well then there is room for delving further.
But without said structure, (predefined) there is no way for another to verify independently
assertions that are put forth, or build further theories of their own based on said structure.
In other words, you have one person, saying things are this way. How do they know?
Because it was "revealed" to them and only to them. That IS Jim Jones.
Hopefully you understand what I'm saying. Likewise hopefully you also understand that
I'm not calling you Jim Jones :-)
Thanks.
P.S. There is nothing wrong with putting forth assumptions or opinions that one draws from
ideas that are put forward but not specified in the Bible.
When I teach the Bible to my kids, they ask questions that sometimes are not specifically
answered in the Bible. How do I answer?
I say, well the Bible doesn't say specifically, so specifically, we can't be sure. But my OPINION
is (such and such), but remember, that is MY OPINION and not from the Word of God.
When there is a specific answer, I cite the answer and read it to them right from the Word.
My stress is always on "the only thing we can be SURE of, is what is specifically put forth from
The Lord himself.
I know The Lord will hold me responsible for ANYTHING that I teach them regarding His Holy Word.
That is a responsibility I take VERY seriously, as should everyone.
Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (NASB)