I don't think the bible is the be all and end all to our search for truth, however I accept the limitations here for it to be the basis for our discussions.
Hi Feat and I lurk for I worry about you all here at this forum.
Your quote disturbs me so let us see what the WORD of God has to say about your comment.
Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Psalm 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Psalm 119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
bobby
Hello Bobby,
Thank you for those quotes. I appreciate and take some comfort in them. However, I don't see anywhere in the quotes that says to rely only on the bible as the only source for His word but to heed the word that is written there. Perhaps I just am unable to see the limitation.
I apologize for making you feel uneasy or uncomfortable by expressing my opinion. Frankly, I am surprised that you find it disturbing to believe that truth and understanding can also come from sources other than the bible. I quote you from your previous post...
"When God speaks through us with His Sprit I am thankful to HIM that I have those eyes and hears opened to see it and hear it."
Did you truly mean it when you said the Holy Spiirt speaks to you? Is this not a source of truth outside of the bible?
I truly believe that the bible is a very significant tool for us but not the only source of truth. I apologize in advance if this offends anyone but it is where I am. Please understand that I agree with much of what Ray interprets from the bible. I am still studying and am not yet quite in total agreement.
As far as the bible goes here are a few hypothetical questions that might help me to explain myself.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE ANSWERED BUT ONLY TO HELP YOU TO SEE WHERE I AM.-The bible is a collection of scripture which has been badly or inaccurately translated. Much of what we have been led to believe about eternal torment results from it. true or false Does that mean we should discount the whole thing?
-God chooses who He chooses. Do we expect that God will limit his choices to only those who have read the bible?
-When we are inspired by the Holy Spirit, does His inspiration bring truth to us? Does the Holy Spirit inspire only those who read the bible.
-Are there sources of God's truth told to us from outside the bible? Do we experience brotherly love by reading the bible or interacting with them?
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Enough with the hypotheticals or someone will accuse me of trying to teach. These kinds of things run through my mind whenever anyone trys to limit my thinking or create a basis for me to start excluding others as my brothers. Someone else tried to make the point of asking whether there has been anything else of God's inpired word given to us in the last 2000 years. I found the question intriguing because if everthing.... is, was, and will be ....then why wouldn't God be speaking to us today?
Getteing back on topic, I still need to listen to the tape. Perhaps someone knows which tape discusses the concept of conceiving vs rebirth.
In any case, Bobby, I hope this eases your concern. If you or any of the other moderators believe that, from what I have said that I am not like minded (however you define it) with the rest of this group then please delete me from the membership rolls. I have no wish to a source of divisiveness.
feat