Interactions Are Key: Appendix 1
Let me add something to that last post:
I do not mean the post below to say that there is more revelation that God will give outside of scripture or some knowledge of God that is beyond what is inside of the Word. (specifically the section where I said: "The same with our relationship with God. Yes, there is this base level knowledge we can come to.")
To say that is (in my opinion and via what I have gleaned from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation) biblically wrong. I do believe that in the context of our life experiences, that we will further understand Scripture and the point(s) that God would have us understand about Him and His character. But not to the point of basing life principles on something that Scripture does not speak on clearly/contextually.
So please, don't think of me as a heritic; I do watch a lot of cartoons and have gotten plenty of parable-like wisdom comparing cartoons and the Word. And I will therefore not go to cartoons before going to the Word. In no way will I ever state, or walk, that there is knowledge of God that can be gain outside of scripture. Everything in our lives should be judged by the standard/context/text of Scripture. If it is not clear to me via the Word, I know that I must spend more time in prayer until it becomes clear. And then check my clarity with the Word that I have been given; even going so far to asking people who have more wisdom (not just knowledge) than I as to what their take is on the matter.
I just wanted to make that clear, before I would receive any emails that state otherwise. Blessings to all.
I do not mean the post below to say that there is more revelation that God will give outside of scripture or some knowledge of God that is beyond what is inside of the Word. (specifically the section where I said: "The same with our relationship with God. Yes, there is this base level knowledge we can come to.")
To say that is (in my opinion and via what I have gleaned from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation) biblically wrong. I do believe that in the context of our life experiences, that we will further understand Scripture and the point(s) that God would have us understand about Him and His character. But not to the point of basing life principles on something that Scripture does not speak on clearly/contextually.
So please, don't think of me as a heritic; I do watch a lot of cartoons and have gotten plenty of parable-like wisdom comparing cartoons and the Word. And I will therefore not go to cartoons before going to the Word. In no way will I ever state, or walk, that there is knowledge of God that can be gain outside of scripture. Everything in our lives should be judged by the standard/context/text of Scripture. If it is not clear to me via the Word, I know that I must spend more time in prayer until it becomes clear. And then check my clarity with the Word that I have been given; even going so far to asking people who have more wisdom (not just knowledge) than I as to what their take is on the matter.
I just wanted to make that clear, before I would receive any emails that state otherwise. Blessings to all.
posted by Antoine @ 6/30/2005 12:52:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hello! Been checking this page once awhile... Good job updating us, and continuing with the thoughts.
Some comments on this entry:
1. There is a difference between knowing God and experiencing the presence of God. For example, some might like to go to quiet areas, or visit a beautiful cathedral, and they feel like there is a presence of God. Do they learn anything more about God? Probably not! It might not be a bad idea to study the bible in those places, but it is the study of the bible that helped the person know God better, not the beautiful cathedral or the likes. (except for natural revelation, such as the beauty of nature, or the ingenuity God has given men to make the cathedral, etc... reflecting a beautiful, loving God. I guess that shows that they are not mutually exclusive, rather, they can help each other, but still, experiencing and knowing God are different things?) Not sure if making this distinction helps to "formalise" your thoughts and how your post doesn't show you as a heretic?
2. The bible is sufficient, but not meant to be complete. (Ok, before I become a heretic, hear me out :P). For example, it gave arguably only one verse of creation (Gen 1:1), and two chapters on the forming of the world and living things (the words are different in Hebrew, and I believe some translations use only "create" in verse one, and "make" or "form" in verse 2 onwards.). Do we get much detail on how it all happened? (Perhaps the better question, is how does that help us the reader's faith, especially when people in Moses's time won't even know physics as we do today!) Or Jesus, what little is there on his childhood! The reason is simply because the bible was for us to know God and believe in Him. In that, it is sufficient, and the only reliable resource. Which brings us to the next point...
3. Verses such as those that says that man is without excuse not to believe as all of creation shows that there is a God, tells us that there ARE other modes of revelation, in this case, a natural revelation. But as the bible is the only reliable source of word, which is sufficient (and complete in the sense that it is all we need, and no further revelation is necessary), all other potential revelations ought to be checked by the Word. To test all spirits and teachings...
Yeh, do test and check what I say here too, as I am just a mere seeker, with potential to be wrong! Hope all that I said here encouraged though!
Again, good job... keep it up!
Hmm... sorry if my comment didn't too much sense since you already mentioned everything in your articles. :P Too early for me. I just read the original article and the previous one again...
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