RE: Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
July 27, 2012 at 10:53 pm
(This post was last modified: July 27, 2012 at 11:04 pm by spockrates.)
(July 25, 2012 at 4:33 pm)Godschild Wrote:(July 25, 2012 at 12:45 pm)spockrates Wrote: [quote='Godschild' pid='314778' dateline='1343112553']
spockrates Wrote:Yes, but when it is God's word that is unclear about a topic so important as one's eternal state of existence, what am I to do? It seems my prayer for wisdom has been answered by opening my eyes to the scriptural ambiguities. Rather than making the intent more clear, it has become cloudy--not in that the meaning is vague, but in that it seems impossible to determine which meaning is the truth! Speaking to those on both sides of the fence separating Protestants and Catholics has only deepened my conviction that either side might be deceived. So how do I choose? And if you don't mind my asking, what side did you choose?
I chose God's side, I found the answers in scripture, most of those answers came after salvation, as they do for most people.
Paul tells use that salvation does not come through works, neither does keeping your salvation.
Please tell me where he says this.
Quote:Salvation is through belief in Christ through grace and grace only.
I think you mean to say salvation is by grace, through faith, instead of by faith, through grace. Don't you?
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2)
But speaking of grace, what exactly would you say it is?
Quote:Works show others of the salvation we have, works help use grow in a relationship with Christ, scripture is very clear about this.
Yes, but is scripture clear that the good things we say, think and do have nothing to do with getting us to heaven? If so, please explain why? For example, why do you believe Ephesians 2 teaches our thoughts, words and deeds are useless to save us from hell?
Quote:I understand that when you study the scriptures things at times become unclear, that's why I said Christians need to be patient and the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of God's word. I've had many unclear moments, but in time things were made clear, it's not about our timing it's about God's desire to reveal truth to you when you are ready.
Would you believe that many thoughtful
Catholics (who do not believe as you do about good works) tell me the same? You and they both seek the truth from scripture. You and they both trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. Yet you and they disagree about what the Holy Spirit has revealed as the truth about salvation! How can that be? I'd say either you, or they, or both are deceived. So doesn't this mean that trusting the Bible and Holy Spirit does not guarantee freedom from deception?
(July 25, 2012 at 2:06 pm)Undeceived Wrote:(July 25, 2012 at 12:45 pm)spockrates Wrote: Speaking to those on both sides of the fence separating Protestants and Catholics has only deepened my conviction that either side might be deceived. So how do I choose?What differences do you speak of?
Differences regarding salvation.
"If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains (no matter how improbable) must be the truth."
--Spock
--Spock