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Some smart reasoning there... (James Voelz, "What Does This Mean?")

The only valid way to read the Gospels is by a believing Christian. If one rejects the Christian worldview outlined within the Gospels, "his attempt to read [them] as the implied reader will be of intellectual or historical interest, but perhaps nothing more." (Jeffery Gibbs, Concordia Commentary on Mark).

Some smart reasoning there... (James Voelz, "What Does This Mean?") The only valid way to read the Gospels is by a believing Christian. If one rejects the Christian worldview outlined within the Gospels, "his attempt to read [them] as the implied reader will be of intellectual or historical interest, but perhaps nothing more." (Jeffery Gibbs, Concordia Commentary on Mark).

(post is archived)

[–] • 1 pt 6y

That's an interesting quote in many ways. What is creedal understanding? What is the historic Christian church?

Based on my own personal study in this area as a believer, we are told the Spirit of God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit will guide us in truth. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A12-15&version=NIV

So then we are left in a quandary aren't we? What if the creeds of men, are in opposition to what the Spirit of God is telling us? What if the actions of the Historic Church are in opposition to what the Spirit is telling us.

John also tells us to test the spirits if they are of God or not.

I think this is one of the main reasons we have so many different sects and denominations. Someone has a different understanding from the Spirit, then sees no one else believes exactly as they do, and creates their own thing. Like Martin Luther for example!

[–] • 1 pt 6y

I appreciate the response. I'm just starting out a very deep dive into my faith as a Lutheran and this stood out in Gibbs' commentary.

You start to hit on the issue of free will as well (if Holy Spirit works in all men, why are men at odds?) and many theologians have attempted to address it over the ages. We'll all find out one day, what the truth was, I'm sure.

[–] • 1 pt 6y

That was actually a HUGE red pill for me in Christianity. So many Christians say "it's God's will" or "God has a plan" or "It's up to God" etc etc.

I encourage you to really think on this. Example. Is it God's will that we be taught a lesson by cancer / car accident / losing a job etc? If so, then he is one evil SOB. Or, is it God's will that we be happy and healthy and fruitful, but the details are left up to us?

Based on many years of studying a variety of texts (mostly I mean translations of the Bible, along with concordance or similar study aids), I've come to this conclusion. Just my own personal believe which you can take or leave.

God exists in 3 persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We also exist in 3 "persons" so to speak - Mind, body and spirit (or soul). We are made in His image. Father represents the mind. Son the body and Spirit the spirit.

In the new testament they talk about receiving his Spirit (being born again), using gifts of the Spirit (healing, speaking in tongues, prophesying etc). They also talk about renewing our minds to the Word of God which means both Jesus (the Word made flesh) and the Bible (God's Word expressed through his select). We are also told to take care of our bodies as they are the temple of the Spirit.

Why would so much emphasis be put on those things if God was already in full control and had everything planned out? If God can still interact in the physical world, why would the whole Jesus thing be such a big deal? He could show up any time and stop a train, kill a hurricane etc.

But what if, the only way he could interact physically with the world was through Jesus and when the ultimate price for sin was paid, his ability to interact with our physical world ended? And now the only way he can interact with us is through His Spirit? And the only way to fully realize His will, through His Spirit is for us to be born again, which is an infusion, intermingling of God's Spirit with our own spirits? Then the only way for us to fully realize that gift of the Spirit is to have a solid physical foundation (temple for the Spirit) and a renewed mind so that the will of God can be expressed THROUGH us.

If what I've written is interesting to you at all, take a look at Curry Blake of JGLM, Joe Funaro and Andrew Wommack among many others. They have some very exciting teaching that explores the Bible in ways many churches do not consider.

Even if you think I'm loony or whatever, good luck in your search for truth and understanding. It is a worthwhile journey!

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[–] • 1 pt 6y

What's great is that my congregation is very knowledgeable and grounded in faith, and are great partners in that search...