God's Desire to Save Everyone and Predestination

[theblueprint_Ni]

I sure hope that is not what I said or at least relayed in my writing. What I am saying is that, yes, John is relaying a spiritual principle about what true Christians look like....but he is doing it because of the issues at the time. The issues he brings up are directly applicable to the situation at the time.

So yes, John is relaying a spiritual principle about what true Christians look like, but this needs to be read in the context it was written.

What I am trying to say is this: The Bible is Gods word....no doubt.....but it is also important for us to understand the nature of the Bible. The Bible is both divine and human. In other words, it is divinely inspired, but it was written in the words of men....it is not as if God just faxed it down straight from heaven. But rather God used human words, and human situations to express His truth. Putting too much emphasis on either one or the other, I think, can lead to a misunderstanding the Bible.




There are a lot of things that would be misunderstood without understanding the culture or situation.....think head coverings, braiding of hair, women speaking in church, etc.

These of course are not essential issues either. I would agree that all the essentials can be clearly understood with or without much other context.




See above: The Bible is both human and divine. It is a compilation of writings written at a particular time, to a particular people, etc. (they dealt with very real situations). To neglect the human side of the Bible, IMO, would be a mistake.

I think we probably agree much more than we disagree. Thank you for bearing the difference and providing an enjoyable exchange.

[Phat8594]

I think we probably agree much more than we disagree.

Yes, that has been my sense as well.

Thank you for bearing the difference and providing an enjoyable exchange.

My pleasure. I enjoy diologuing about issues such as this....if nothing else, to sharpen our understanding and increase our precision in which we understand and express our theology.

You might like the following book:

http://www.amazon.com/Read-Bible-Cha...7786245&sr=8-1


Its a fairly easy read, and I think its a good addition to the library of most semi-serious (to serious) Bible students. It is written by one of the leading scholars out there today....Plus you know its gotta be decent when DA Carson gives it an endorsement.