Audacity wrote:abelcainsbrother wrote:OK but you come into a Christian forum and expect not to hear preaching?
Yup. But it looks like my mistake, and I'll have to go into ignore mode when it pops up.
So apparently I'm the humanistic, PC version of Christianity so I guess I don't preach but apostate
So by that standard, you can trust me, cause I'm not preaching rather giving a different approach?
Look I'm not too fond of the a stringent approach to scripture because theologians have argued continuously over history. Which is why there are such different trains of thoughts in regards to interpretation.
I have my opinion, but I am very open to the principle that I am biased, not because I'm a bigot but because human nature dictates that I will align to kindred ideals.
Looking at scripture, it is a collection of biographies, history, stories and prophetic revelations.
When you translate between languages, cultures and centuries there will be error.
Especially when Ancient Hebrew is a very different language to English. One word may have several applications. It is then left to the discretion of the translator to interpret the correct application.
There are discrepancies
Different ideas of interpretations.
But that's not unique to scripture,
Historical accounts of ancient or modern history is always dependent on the author and reader.
Ancient history is argued among historians as to the exact context or linguistic meaning, but the text isn't thrown out as authentic due to a discrepancy in interpretation.
Even modern history has different interpretations. None of which discredits the account but is more of a testament to our diverse understanding.
Religious text that isn't open to diverse interpretation I would actually be more wary of, as that is a sign of conformity, not truth.
Believe this or else.
I actually think that diverse thinking breeds truth, although it's a convoluted path.
But the alternative is a principle, that we may like argumentatively but in reality is just not wired to how we think or exercise free thought or will.
We are subject to our limitations.
We instinctively digress against absolutes.
We don't want a dictatorship on thought or belief. We may argue when it comes to God and revelation it may be the ultimate way to do away with confusion and dissent but I think it may be quite the opposite because we can't escape our makeup.
People want choice, regardless whether it's material or spiritual. Nothing becomes so absolute it takes away freewill.
Not even God, regardless of whether we were present when Jesus walked on water or made water into wine because people witnessed such and still disbelieved.
Freedom, is a notion we speak of quite selfishly at times without realising how intrinsic it is to our existence. So much so, that not even God would impede upon because without it, we really are reverted to nothing but compliant robots. Which firstly doesn't honor us or God.