The Purpose of the Bible

[Bob Estey]

Who's beating anyone over the head with the Bible? Is this some kind of misdirection? There are many purposes for the Bible, the primary one being to have all men know that God loves them and Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification.

I find that if I disagree with something Paul says, I get insulted.

 

[Bob Estey]

The question is then, are Paul's letters Paul's words or God's Word? I say God's Word, and God is never wrong. Otherwise, how do you differentiate what is true and what is not? I'm actually wondering, that's not rhetorical.

Much love!

I don't think God told Paul to tell anyone that women can't talk in a church.

 

[BarneyFife]

i been repenting for years already.

also, you say total depravity and unconditional election dont apply or matter to you… they do, just in case you didnt know. Just saying.

If you have no assurance of salvation, your repentance is problematic. We've talked about this before. Your extreme application of Calvinism and your dissatisfaction with your own progress in sanctification have you doubting that you might be one of the elect if I am remembering your testimony correctly.

Regarding my own case, I categorically reject the theory that Calvinism and Arminianism constitute the only options for the application of salvation. You can troll and rant and rave all you want. My mind and heart's function and activity are in no way dictated by the narrow and vain imaginings of yourself and your colleagues (who don't even offer you any hope in the discussions you all have). Your non-experienced can of soteriology is of no use to me. I have Jesus. I know He loves me and has chosen me as His own before the foundation of the world. Not because I am worthy, but because He has promised to author and finish the good work He has begun in me.

Christ is yours, as well. The Father has given Him to the human race. You have read all of the verses in the Bible that say this. Do not do injury to your own soul by denying them. It is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should come to the very repentance He provides, and lay hold on the faith, a measure of which has been given to every man. A surface reading of Romans 9 and other similar passages to fashion a god who is arbitrary, tyrannical, and monstrous is not "good theology." It is wresting Scripture to one's own destruction. The extreme Calvinists who have assurance are often people who are genetically and environmentally conditioned to appear and behave externally sanctified. Personalities do not indicate election. Sometimes they portray only a tidy self-righteousness.

You claim, as I recall, that you are not bearing fruits meet for repentance. You can beg God for true repentance until you are blue in the face, but if you do not exercise the heavenly-supplied faith that God receives you even as He puts His most precious ring on your finger and places His finest garment on your shoulders and kills the fatted calf and calls everyone to the feast in honor of your recovery from the hog pen, He cannot save you. Wait no longer. Grieve not the Spirit. Only believe. Only believe. Have faith in the Word of God to accomplish that which it, and it only, says it will do by virtue of the creative power that resides within itself, and itself only. Meditate upon the theme of this last sentence and you will thus cultivate the faith that is the victory that overcomes the world.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)​

 

[Bob Estey]

The Bible gives you the answer 2 Timothy 3:16.
Granted, you don't believe that is Scripture...

That is a self-fulfilling prophecy - except Paul didn't intend for his words to be deified. He was a good man.

 

[Bob Estey]

Because he was under the inspiration of God. Do you believe in the inspired inerrant Word of God? You obviously don't. But you are United Methodist so that makes sense.

Who told you he was under the inspiration of God when he told women not to speak when they are in a church?

 

[Pearl]

To me the purpose of the bible was to gather together words that were written by or about God's people into a book to teach all future generations and guide us by their own experiences into a deeper relationship with God.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

 

[Bob Estey]

Bob,

They do have equal rights--that is before God. But don't discredit Paul for his part, for what he said was regarding unruly women. But he was no male chauvinist...one need only look at his other writings to know this.

However, that is not the reason Paul's correction of those women of that time and circumstance has been entered into the eternal word of God. If we only look at the historic moment--Paul was simply a leader making a hard call. But in the eternal context--it is not Paul making the hard call--it's God. It is God who has since adopted the words for their eternal benefit as being applicable [equally] to men and to women--not just those women, but all women that make up the body of Christ, the Church, the "Bride." Therefore the word is addressed to women--but is equally given to men.

I don't think I am discrediting Paul simply by saying I thing he was wrong to forbid women from speaking when they are in a church. I think Paul was a great man. Does it discredit him to say I don't think he was perfect? I think not.

 

[Bob Estey]

How about standing up for what God thinks is right?

There is a difference between what God knew was right, and what Paul thought was right.

 

[reformed1689]

Who told you he was under the inspiration of God when he told women not to speak when they are in a church?

 

[reformed1689]

That is a self-fulfilling prophecy - except Paul didn't intend for his words to be deified. He was a good man.

So then how do you choose what is Scripture Bob? Why is Genesis Scripture? Why is Psalms Scripture? Why is Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Scripture? Why do you only say the parts you agree with are Scripture? Hmm?

 

[Bob Estey]

So then how do you choose what is Scripture Bob? Why is Genesis Scripture? Why is Psalms Scripture? Why is Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Scripture? Why do you only say the parts you agree with are Scripture? Hmm?

Twice I asked you to define "scripture"? Did you answer me yet?

 

[marks]

I don't think God told Paul to tell anyone that women can't talk in a church.

How confident of this are you? And is the only reason that you don't think He would have? Or is there something else you have in mind?

Much love!

 

[reformed1689]

There is a difference between what God knew was right, and what Paul thought was right.

Yeah and again you are picking and choosing what is Scripture based on what YOU think and agree with. That's so UMC. A heretical church.

 

[reformed1689]

Twice I asked you to define "scripture"? Did you answer me yet?

Yep sure did. I said Scripture is the Word of God once delivered to all the Saints contained in the 66 books of Scripture.

 

[Bob Estey]

Yeah and again you are picking and choosing what is Scripture based on what YOU think and agree with. That's so UMC. A heretical church.

Anything God or Jesus said I accept as fact. I've learned a lot from Paul, but like my pastor, I don't consider him perfect.

 

[reformed1689]

Anything God or Jesus said I accept as fact. I've learned a lot from Paul, but like my pastor, I don't consider him perfect.

And how do you know what God or Jesus said? Hmm?

 

[Bob Estey]

T

Yep sure did. I said Scripture is the Word of God once delivered to all the Saints contained in the 66 books of Scripture.

The Word of God, I believe, are those instances where God and Jesus are quoted. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Bob Estey]

And how do you know what God or Jesus said? Hmm?

God and Jesus are quoted throughout the Bible.

 

[reformed1689]

T

The Word of God, I believe, are those instances where God and Jesus are quoted. Nothing more, nothing less.

That's stupid. Even Jesus did not agree with that.

 

[reformed1689]

God and Jesus are quoted throughout the Bible.

How do you know it is a quote? How do you know it is accurate and true? Hmm?