Has anyone out there (in cyber-land) felt like they weren't getting the complete story? Feeling that, maybe, they were being given a shovelful of denominational junk? What does the Bible say about everything? Does the Bible support the Roman Catholic view that the Church and her traditions take precedence over the Word? Does the Bible support speaking in tongues as the primary evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit, as the Pentecostals believe? Do you have free-will or is your salvation at the whim of God?
I would love to find a religious text that takes a verse-by-verse look at every single word that is written, translates it according to it's actual meaning, and then compares the result to the King James Version and a modern version of the Bible (such as the World English Bible). I would also like to see this from someone who doesn't try to interpret the words according to their creedal dogma. Someone who doesn't hold a Ph.d or D.Min degree. Someone who uses the resources that are freely available to everyone, documents the resources used, and keeps the process completely transparent.
Since I have not found that text nor have I found someone who is willing to do so, I believe that I will have to step up to the plate and do it myself. To that end, I will first have to come up with a Statement of Belief. I think that I will take the Niceane Creed as the basis for my Statement of Belief. It seems to be the least tainted by doctrine and dogma. Of course, I will acknowledge that before it was put to paper there was a lot of jockeying for position of view points and thus does have some doctrinal and dogmatic baggage. I just feel that it is less strenuous baggage to drag behind me than a lot of other creeds and view points. I will also need to figure out which resources are best used. I don't want to use original texts that are not considered accurate or acceptable for use as a foundation. Of course, I will need to do a lot research into which ones are the best and for what reasons. That will go a long way toward producing a text that is accurate and useful. We will have to see.
Cheers
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1 comment:
Jim,
There are so many things I can tell you about how Satan attacks the Word of God. As you know, God is mightier than that old devil. We get caught up in wanting to find the correct book or doctrine or denomination, when in reality Jesus, who has ALL POWER in Heaven and Earth (and eyes that see all things) wants us to seek Him first. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. It's really that simple. The God who designed us, knows our weaknesses, provided His Son as the Perfect Sacrifice to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, made the GIFT freely available. It's man, being tricked up by the devil (just like in Eden), who puts all the flaming hoops in our way. Salvation is God's finished work, and therefore a GIFT to us, which we don't deserve (God's GRACE). If we seek Him first, and delight in Him, He will give us the desires to serve Him, and you'll know peace like you've never known.
The signs of tongues, etc., were exclusively imparted unto the Apostles, because the Word was still being written. It was given to them so that they could prove they were of God. The Bible clearly shows this (when the reader rightly divides the Word of Truth, comparing scripture to scripture, which itself is a Biblical principle). Best,
Eric
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