Chris4Blues wrote:BobdoB wrote:My question is based on the fact that by using that example, you EMPHASIZE Craig's point about men being involved in deciding what books are in the bible
My view again, as summarized in the WCF, is that God involves men (the Church) in the preservation of His word. God does the preserving by means of fallen man and providence - not un-aided, autonomous man.
Per the apocrypha, et.al. The apocrypha contains elements that if held, would be internally inconsistent with the whole of the Bible. Because God cannot lie, elements that result in internal conflict can be assumed to be extra-biblical, which is one reason why it was excluded.
I understand the meaning you present, and I am not disputing your argument, but I am saying that if God aided in making the men who were involved in making the bible messangers for Himself, then why exclude the possibility that he may send messengers into our lives even today whose truth may not hold with some, but may resonate with others? It happened even in the time of Christ. The very people Jesus came to save rejected him, and to this day continue to reject him, while the gentiles, you and I and most Christians, took the message and ran with it. Now, however, zealots continue to pervert the word and en mass take whole congregations into the gates of hell if you believe that we would be punished for the misinformation of our teachers.
Lord knows arguing religious practice is as foolish as washing your car in a thunderstorm, but each of us should remember that even in this forum, we are in his church. We should respect each other as Christ respected those he knew would never truly understand his message.
someone used the analogy of washing feet. I agree, Christ lowered himself to the lowest rank to show his disciples that to be an effective leader, you must always show the utmost humility and patience.
