How Should We Read the Church Fathers?

[Waiting on him]

No that's not the question, nor is it an answer to what I asked of you. You dodged.


You would do well to do a study on what Paul actually means when he says prophesy.

Simply means to speak the word of God before men

 

[reformed1689]

But anybody who disagrees with you and your interpretation of scripture is automatically wrong, and therefore needs to be your disciple?

Are you claiming to be God?

And you keep projecting things I have not said. You are correct in one thing, you are right that I will not change my positions unless shown to be wrong by Scripture. And yes, that has happened in the past and I changed my position.

 

[reformed1689]

Simply means to speak the word of God before men

Exactly and it is talking about preaching the Scriptures already given to them.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

And you keep projecting things I have not said. You are correct in one thing, you are right that I will not change my positions unless shown to be wrong by Scripture. And yes, that has happened in the past and I changed my position.

Here's my thing:

I know many people who like to sit on God's throne. They view their beliefs as infallible. Everyone should follow them and their interpretation of scripture. Everyone who as a different interpretation-- no matter how well "Steve" studied and prayed and communed with the Lord about it-- is automatically wrong. And then they treat Steve downright horribly trying to convince Steve to follow them instead of what Steve prayed and studied with the Lord.

I see this over and over again. From folks in all belief systems, walks of life, etc.

 

[reformed1689]

Here's my thing:

I know many people who like to sit on God's throne. They view their beliefs as infallible. Everyone should follow them and their interpretation of scripture. Everyone who as a different interpretation-- no matter how well "Steve" studied and prayed and communed with the Lord about it-- is automatically wrong. And then they treat Steve downright horribly trying to convince Steve to follow them instead of what Steve prayed and studied with the Lord.

I see this over and over again. From folks in all belief systems, walks of life, etc.

Steve would have to be able to show that is what the verse means.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Steve would have to be able to show that is what the verse means.

And then we once again devolve into "my interpretation is right and yours is wrong" ping pong matches.

Rather than letting God speak to each person. It is His throne, no one else's.

 

[reformed1689]

And then we once again devolve into "my interpretation is right and yours is wrong" ping pong matches.

Rather than letting God speak to each person. It is His throne, no one else's.

God is not going to tell two different people two different things about His word. There is only one interpretation, many applications, but only one interpretation.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

God is not going to tell two different people two different things about His word. There is only one interpretation, many applications, but only one interpretation.

And GOD shall reveal that to each person.

Not some idiot sinner trying to win an argument (we are all idiot sinners).

It is HIS throne. Not yours or mine or any other mortals.

 

[reformed1689]

And GOD shall reveal that to each person.

Not some idiot sinner trying to win an argument (we are all idiot sinners).

It is HIS throne. Not yours or mine or any other mortals.

Then when is it appropriate, by your standards, to rebuke false teaching (which Scripture commands)?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Then when is it appropriate, by your standards, to rebuke false teaching (which Scripture commands)?

Preach Truth. Speak goodness. Conduct yourself in a manner as He would and let His light shine through you.

Skip the arguing/squabbling/bullying/harassment.

 

[reformed1689]

Preach Truth. Speak goodness. Conduct yourself in a manner as He would and let His light shine through you.

Skip the arguing/squabbling/bullying/harassment.

You didn't answer the question. When is it appropriate to rebuke false teaching/teachers as we are commanded to do in Scripture?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

You didn't answer the question. When is it appropriate to rebuke false teaching/teachers as we are commanded to do in Scripture?

There is no command to bully those that disagree with us. Nor harass or bicker.

Rather the command is to testify of Truthfulness, and walk as His disciple.

A person does not need to chase down darkness. Rather, just show His light.

 

[reformed1689]

There is no command to bully those that disagree with us. Nor harass or bicker.

I didn't say bully, I didn't say harass, and I didn't say bicker. I said rebuke.

You are avoiding this issue for some reason.

 

[Truther]

They thought that the kingdom was going to come in power...that Jesus would return shortly.

But the point is that we each have to have that idea in our own time. They can't make it easier for us. And you are missing the truth that it was the reformation that brought the doctrines of men into the picture...in these end times.
The doctrine of devils is right now! Just look at how the reformation is seen as something good.

The reformation only brought back fragments of truth over centuries. The church is still trying to claw its way out of it. Anti baptism and tithing are just 2 of the many examples of this

 

[Truther]

When we read our printed Bibles, are we not trusting that God guided the efforts of those who transcribed and translated what was first written by down as men were anointed to write. Many, like myself, don't read Hebrew or Aramaic or Koine Greek so who are we trusting when we read a Bible written in English? God alone? What of the translators? What about learning from Teachers, Evangelists and Pastors today who use the same Bibles we read? Yes we do and should sift through their input by the Holy Spirit, and do we never glean anything that we retain?

What about learning from other people on this forum? We today are also "some fella" who write when we post something to this thread on this forum. Does no one here ever write anything worth reading? If not, why are we here?

Just trust your English translation called the KJV. God set us up in these last days. Celebrate it

 

[CharismaticLady]

Here's how things ultimately boil down in regards to the ECF and other teachers:
- Nobody is an island. You are going to be influenced by teachers and the teacher's teachers, etc.
- You can either ignore or acknowledge this, and study that legacy to whatever depth.
- Ideally though your ultimate teacher is the Lord Himself, guiding you directly and helping you discern which teaching are His Truth.

We can squabble all day long on which teachers each person believes is correct. And profit zero for it. the Lord alone is the Master Teacher, and we all best remember to listen to He alone that sits in that Throne.

Yep, that is why I attend church but don't belong to a particular denomination.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I didn't say bully, I didn't say harass, and I didn't say bicker. I said rebuke.

You are avoiding this issue for some reason.

You seem to be using "rebuke" as if it was to harass or bully or argue.

A disciple of Christ has no need to get in somebody's face and say "you're wrong!". No need for spreading hate-spam or other junk I see people do in the name of "rebuking".

No.

Just speak Truth & light with your actions and when necessary words.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Yep, that is why I attend church but don't belong to a particular denomination.

In practice I find that frequently doesn't really avoid the issue, sadly

 

[CharismaticLady]

Though a discussion on what should be included would be involved and possibly rewarding and interesting (if all the noise were filtered out), I agree with you here... But then this goes to point for me. I don't need anyone telling me what is inspired and what is not anyway. When I was a younger Christian, certainly it helped knowing what writings were beyond doubt. But after spending years of studying those, I can now recognize what writings harmonize with the cannon or amplify on it in a way that expounds on it without contradicting it, and receive the witness of the Spirit within me.

But this is clearly an issue where, as Jesus taught, "Wisdom is deemed right by her children."

I agree with you and I also can see one that does harmonize and amplify the Word of God with no contradictions.

 

[Waiting on him]

Exactly and it is talking about preaching the Scriptures already given to them.

That’s why I said word of God.