Wasn't the New Testament written hundreds of years...

[Last Things]

I'm sorry for being vague, let me be more specific. The verse I posted about simply means to me that I don't think research from biblical scholars or whoever you were referring to is the ultimate decider of how I perceive scripture. And while those studies give us an alternate perspective on what the words mean, the Holy Spirit is what I gave ultimate credit for for giving me wisdom when I read scripture and hear other people's research on their meaning.

People read scripture according to their education, desires, experiences, culture, etc. While the Holy Spirit may help us come to discover something while reading scripture, that does not mean we read it infallibly. That is, the Holy Spirit does not tell us what it means, but may help us find a meaning from time to time. We are not infallibly reading by the obvious fact that no two Christians agree.

Your quote above is exactly what I am talking about. The whole act of reading the Bible to me is indeed spiritual exercise, but me personally, I feel as though how I look and approach scripture again has a lot more to do with the Holy Spirit.

And there is nothing wrong with it being a spiritual thing. The problem is when it becomes a 'knowledge' thing. When someone believes God is giving them theological doctrines and absolute truths, instead of simply helping him guide his life.

 

[PrayerWarr1or]

@Last Things ,

Your reply is contradictory in nature, and you are contradicting yourself. In fact, you stated an opinion and then contradicted your own opinion in the same sentence below.

That is, the Holy Spirit does not tell us what it means, but may help us find a meaning from time to time

Also, the below statements are a bit vague.

While the Holy Spirit may help us come to discover something while reading scripture

The problem is when it becomes a 'knowledge' thing

I think the underlying point that you are trying to make here is that while reading scripture, we all need to realize that we are human, and sometimes we can be deceived by the enemy or our hearts while reading scripture, what we think we have learned may not be from ,in fact, God.
But I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth, it's just that your posts are contrarion in nature, and the underlying point of those posts doesn't show very clearly.

 

[farout]

There is so little Scripture being used to support what is being said. Personal opinions mean next to nothing.

In STRANGE FIRE by John MacArthur. He uses the point about how many people "pay lip service to the authority of God's Word, in practice they deny it." page 16 unless we quote the Bible as it is, then we are doing nothing more but giving our translation or even worse a false impression. The Authority of the Bible is the highest trustworthy thing we as human beings have. For those who do not believe in the uttermost trustworthy, and reliability of the Bible, I extend my patients and will not attempt belittle or argue with you. I will only state what the Bible says about it's self.