There is NO proof text in scripture.

[ScottA]

Agreed. A "Theologian" skilled in the art, can get all sorts of creative stuff out of Scripture. Just look at Roman Catholic, LDS, Campbellite Church of Christ, or Jehovah's Witness "theologies" for a demonstration thereof.



I.e. The scriptures are being used as "Proof Texts" to confirm one's beliefs. You said so yourself.



Which is how "theologians" work: Scriptures that SUPPORT one's belief are their "PROOF TEXTS", and Scriptures that refute one's belief are their "PROBLEM TEXTS" - which have to be "Explained away" in an "Acceptable" fashion. Skilled "theologians", and their Denominations, can generally find "Workarounds" for whatever gets in their way.

Two out of three isn't bad.

However, in your second comment here above, you persist in leaning toward the written word rather than the Spirit who inspired it. That of course, has been the point of this whole thread.. Which is greater, the word or Him who inspired it?

"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?" Matthew 23:19
​

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Two out of three isn't bad.

However, in your second comment here above, you persist in leaning toward the written word rather than the Spirit who inspired it. That of course, has been the point of this whole thread.. Which is greater, the word or Him who inspired it?

False Dichotomy. you're saying that God's WORD is inaccurate, and He really, through the HOLY SPIRIT, DIDN'T SAY or MEAN that which HE said, and inspired to be RECORDED. That gives "Denominational Theologians" licence to create all sorts of religious foolishness (like The Catholic "Blessed Virgin" thing, or "Purgatorial sanctification".

 

[JunChosen]

No, that would be missing the point..

The point is that would-be prooftexts can be assumed and used to prove anything one has a mind to believe, whether right or wrong.

Scriptures as a confirmation do not to prove anything to anyone, but rather confirm what one believes to themselves...which is then subject to "corrections" as Paul told us. But one scripture pit against another is not correction or proof, but the two must be reconciled and agree...and those who cannot reconcile all scripture only prove themselves wrong.

YES:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reprove, for correction , for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[ScottA]

False Dichotomy. you're saying that God's WORD is inaccurate, and He really, through the HOLY SPIRIT, DIDN'T SAY or MEAN that which HE said, and inspired to be RECORDED. That gives "Denominational Theologians" licence to create all sorts of religious foolishness (like The Catholic "Blessed Virgin" thing, or "Purgatorial sanctification".

No, that is not at all what I am saying.

I am saying exactly what the scriptures say: that God confused all language [including scripture]...which is NOT to say that the scriptures are "inaccurate." But rather, that God has intended it that way, working all things together for good for those who love Him, including the weakness of men and their inability to discern the scriptures rightly-- and many are way in over their head, hook, line, and sinker.

But that is not all I have been saying. I have also been saying that we were not suppose to stop at the written word, but to "press on" as Paul advised, and as Jesus promised: to be led unto all truth-- not by the scriptures, but by the Helper, the Holy Spirit, or as He told Peter, "by your Father in heaven."

But many must surely hate the Spirit, for they resist the very idea of entering in.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." Matthew 23:13​

 

[stunnedbygrace]

No, that is not at all what I am saying.

I am saying exactly what the scriptures say: that God confused all language [including scripture]...which is NOT to say that the scriptures are "inaccurate." But rather, that God has intended it that way, working all things together for good for those who love Him, including the weakness of men and their inability to discern the scriptures rightly-- and many are way in over their head, hook, line, and sinker.

But that is not all I have been saying. I have also been saying that we were not suppose to stop at the written word, but to "press on" as Paul advised, and as Jesus promised: to be led unto all truth-- not by the scriptures, but by the Helper, the Holy Spirit, or as He told Peter, "by your Father in heaven."

But many must surely hate the Spirit, for they resist the very idea of entering in.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." Matthew 23:13​

Also though, many men have harmed themselves for a good length of time, thinking they absolutely know what God is saying when they don’t.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

as Jesus promised: to be led unto all truth-- not by the scriptures, but by the Helper, the Holy Spirit, or as He told Peter, "by your Father in heaven."

However, if the "guiding spirit" (and there are many of them - satan has a good supply) (2 Cor 11:14) lead in a direction, or in a manner CONTRARY to the published Word, or the tenor thereof, then the written Word must be the determining factor to discern TRUTH, or LIES.

Knowing that the Phony Phantasms of "Mary", or the "Angel Moroni" or the teaching of Charles Russel are satanic lies is easy for those KNOWING what the Bible says.

 

[ScottA]

However, if the "guiding spirit" (and there are many of them - satan has a good supply) (2 Cor 11:14) lead in a direction, or in a manner CONTRARY to the published Word, or the tenor thereof, then the written Word must be the determining factor to discern TRUTH, or LIES.

Knowing that the Phony Phantasms of "Mary", or the "Angel Moroni" or the teaching of Charles Russel are satanic lies is easy for those KNOWING what the Bible says.

If you are trying to define the positive by using negative examples in contrast, you have done a pretty good job. But our hope is not in the negative, but in the positive, which is the Way of Christ Jesus.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

If you are trying to define the positive by using negative examples in contrast, you have done a pretty good job. But our hope is not in the negative, but in the positive, which is the Way of Christ Jesus.

And Jesus invariably leads according to Scripture as illuminated to us by the Holy Spirit. After all He DID say that we'd recognize HIS voice.