You haven't seen my library or what I do on Wednesday nights.
This somewhat flawed. We've got 500 years of commentary to lean on and our divisions aren't as deep as they may appear. It should be noted that the Reformers attempted to reform...
The only common one I know of off-hand is the Septuagint, however I assume that the Hebrew scripture at the time was widely used, yet not placed into an ordered canon like we think.
I'm guessing that roughly half of all protestants are cessionationist and roughly 99.99% don't know what the term is. Furthermore, until I see a man regrow his arm on Benny Hinn's stage, I shall remain one.
However, the acceptance that the fracturing is okay is the problem. There never was a time where there was one big happy Church, except perhaps the Day of Pentecost. However, there has always been one true Church or else it wouldn't have lasted until the Bible was written.You haven't seen my library or what I do on Wednesday nights.
This somewhat flawed. We've got 500 years of commentary to lean on and our divisions aren't as deep as they may appear. It should be noted that the Reformers attempted to reform...
The only common one I know of off-hand is the Septuagint, however I assume that the Hebrew scripture at the time was widely used, yet not placed into an ordered canon like we think.
I'm guessing that roughly half of all protestants are cessionationist and roughly 99.99% don't know what the term is. Furthermore, until I see a man regrow his arm on Benny Hinn's stage, I shall remain one.
Yes, clearly better than you read this thread.
Again, hopefully you read the Bible better. I've quoted/cited; foszoe has quoted/cited. Perhaps you didn't understand certain references, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.
See... here's the thing. As a human, you are extrapolating what you see into your own expectation. "Confirmation bias" is the fancy phrase. That is a risk when reading the Bible, too.
With all due respect, I'm not sure you're making your point. It seems clear to many of us the text supports one thing, and it seems that you're just making arguments to support the Orthodox tradition.
Libraries are edifying until they simply become tools to prove we are right. Which none of my posts today have been meant to assert, rather they are meant to probe the question could others possibly believe that there are other answers that can be equally supported by the text alone without any preconceived notion.
I'd argue plenty of unity exist in the Protestant church. We can (for the most part) take communion at any church and attend any seminary.
Indeed which is why I find it easy being a cessationist. I hold to this belief, but I don't besmirch anyone who's a continuist.
Yes, clearly better than you read this thread.
Again, hopefully you read the Bible better. I've quoted/cited; foszoe has quoted/cited. Perhaps you didn't understand certain references, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.
Libraries are edifying until they simply become tools to prove we are right. Which none of my posts today have been meant to assert, rather they are meant to probe the question could others possibly believe that there are other answers that can be equally supported by the text alone without any preconceived notion.
However deep the divisions, they are still deep enough that you can't unite with the unity which Christ prayed for. Which is another one of my underlying points. If it ain't worth dividing over, why remain divided? Being in the same church yet expressing different points of view on non essentials is the epitomy of unity with liberty.
I spoke to the LXX vs the Hebrew and Aramaic in another post earlier today. The usage of the LXX was far more expansive in the 1st C. across the empire. The Hebrew and Aramaic were in use mostly in Judea Sola
For those who seeing is believing, how do they attempt to get an atheist to believe in a God whom they can not see.
I have seen miracles first hand. I have experienced them personally. I have heard of them from others whom I trust.
It's easy to be a skeptic, its hard to be a believer.
so you accept at least a portion of my tradition. You hopefully know by now, I type smiling most of the time and never feel insulted. The theology is further expounded upon in all the hymns. However, that doesn't invalidate my point necessarily. I don't mean this disrespectful either but its a realistic assesment. I come here and post an Orthodox point of view. One Baptist, may say hmm that's a good question, maybe I should look further into what I believe, then within another 30 minutes another Baptist posts an statement confirming the beliefs of the first Baptist who then chooses to not investigate based on the "support" he just received for his own. I KNOW this happens Yet the opinion of the first is not informed by further reading of the scriptures but rather simply by the affirmation of another with whom he shares more common ground.
Humans - all of them. There's a lot of doctrine they held to that I'm sure you would disagree with. We've got a lot more knowledge and insight to rely upon.
IKR?
Methinks thou art too haughty with thine tradition.My tradition gave you your scripture
Agreed, but I don't understand why accepting the fact that Mary didn't remain a virgin is "more baggage".
I think the importance here is that, yes, there was a virgin birth. Those that hold a low view of Jesus are quick to attack the virgin birth.
You askin' me?!
That has some appeal. However, tonight I get the distinct notion that tradition takes the place of distasteful or pointless theology. It's as if tradition becomes a millstone around the neck.
There's a whole lot of historical and modern men I'd like to emulate. There's a whole lot of biblical characters that were faithful. However, they were still sinful, still required grace and still died an earthly death.
Makes sense.
Dare I say tradition?
My best answer is that it fits with a plain view of scripture (that is to say, not resorting to Greek gymnastics) and it's the most logic. Without explicit text stating that the case was anything other than the expected result, I hold to the simplest explanation.Is your argument, "if it doesn't matter that much to you, just accept what we say"?
Yeah... we're not really cool with the whole "blessing" thing...
