No, you're not getting it. Either you believe the Word, or you don't.


No, I get that. I believe the word. I don't always believe your interpretation of the word, for by your own admission you are not an infallible interpreter.


because I don't get the point you are making... I really don't know what you are saying


I apologize if I have not been clear. However, it appears you have not really even been trying to understand me, for rather than ask me questions about what is still unclear to you, you just rant and try to tell me what I believe.


you have no Scripture to point me to


Wrong, Jerry. I am talking about the very same scriptures you are. My point is that because we have different interpretations of those scriptures, we must first come to an understanding on how to determine what is a correct and what is an incorrect interpretation. I can quote scriptures at you all day, and vice-versa, but unless there is an agreed upon standard of interpretation in the first place, quoting scriptures accomplishes little. Imagine a Mormon and a Muslim debating NT scripture: they both quote truckloads of verses at each other, but because they don't interpret those exact same words in the same way, neither accomplish anything.


Until you show me in the Bible that my answers are wrong, I will hold fast to what I know of it.


And how do you expect me to do that unless we talk about interpretation? You said "my answers", and that's my entire point - they are your answers, your interpretations. By what authority should I accept your fallible interpretations? By what authority should you accept mine? It is like you and I trying to give each other a speeding ticket. Unless there is an external, agreed-upon standard upon which we can both compare our interpretations of the exact same text, you have absolutely no reason to change from "your answers", and I have no reason to change from mine.


you have nothing to learn


I have learned MUCH on discussion boards, including this one.

A few posts up you talked about the body of Christ. Although I don't fully agree with your interpretation on all of that, we are in agreement enough to move forward on that point: even in your view, there is still only "one body" and not thousands. Earlier you asked "You tell me then, in this kingdom you are of, called Christianity, who is in charge of what doctrines are key and essential to be a member of it?" The answer is: Christ himself, the true Christ. Look at it this way: can a Mormon, who accepts "Christ" and uses NT scripture for his views but denies the deity of Christ and believes he is a created angel, be a member of that body? Why or why not? Can a Muslim, who accepts "Christ" and uses NT scripture for his views but believes Christ was just one purely human prophet of God in a long line of prophets, be a member of that body? Why or why not? Can a New Ager, who accepts "Christ" and uses NT scripture for his views but believes Christ is a "cosmic consciousness" that brings one an essence of peace, be a member of that body? Why or why not? These are not rhetorical questions, please answer them clearly and directly, without trying to answer more that what I am specifically asking.

As a side note, I am still interested in hearing why you think it is wrong to have Mary referred to as "Virgin" (with a capital letter).

Brian
Last Edited By: BrianT Feb 13 10 11:48 AM. Edited 1 times.