The curious case of John 5:4
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Ritajanice
Born-Again
Unfortunately imo, many think the written word is God, that in its own right is very dangerous to preach.
The word of God is Alive and Active in our hearts,
.
He is not Alive and Active via the Bible...my opinion/ belief.
He refine our hearts, only the Spirit can do that..the Bible is Gods confirmation ...it confirms what the Spirit witnesses to our heart, does that make sense?
Psalm 26:2. ESV Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. NIV Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; NASB Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test; Refine my mind and my heart.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
It's a long story. I have a thread I will link when I get a chance
RLT63
Well-Known Member
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“Satan wants your mind, and he will fill it with lies. Beat him with the truth. Fill your mind with God’s word.” - Gabriel Hughes
Do we accept this pastor’s premise and admonition? If we do,
“The Bible is unreliable.”
Someone believes this is, or may be, the case. Now what? Do we -
Help the person see that the Bible is reliable?
Refrain from helping the person see that the Bible is reliable?
Tell the person that it doesn’t matter one way or the other because he or he doesn’t need the Bible?
Change the subject?
Do we accept this pastor’s premise and admonition? If we do,
“The Bible is unreliable.”
Someone believes this is, or may be, the case. Now what? Do we -
Help the person see that the Bible is reliable?
Refrain from helping the person see that the Bible is reliable?
Tell the person that it doesn’t matter one way or the other because he or he doesn’t need the Bible?
Change the subject?
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When confronted with a statement like, “The Bible is unreliable,” the most compassionate and constructive response is to engage the person in a way that both respects their doubt and invites them to explore the reliability of Scripture.
Here’s a suggested approach to answering the premise and responding thoughtfully to this person's doubts:
1. Evaluate the Premise: “Satan wants your mind, and he will fill it with lies. Beat him with the truth. Fill your mind with God’s word.”
Assessing Agreement: The premise here is grounded in biblical principles, as Satan is known for deception (John 8:44), and Scripture affirms the importance of guarding our minds with truth (Ephesians 6:17). Filling one’s mind with God’s Word is aligned with instructions like Romans 12:2, which tells believers to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Practicality of the Admonition: Accepting the pastor’s admonition means recognizing that God’s Word is a foundation of truth, helping us resist deception and fill our minds with God’s perspective rather than Satan’s distortions.
2. Addressing Doubts about the Bible’s Reliability
Begin by Listening: People who question the Bible's reliability often have underlying reasons or experiences that contribute to their doubt. Before providing answers, it helps to understand their perspective by asking open-ended questions like, “What specifically makes you question the Bible’s reliability?”
Identify Areas of Misinformation: Misinformation about Scripture’s origins, translation history, or textual integrity can often fuel these doubts. Helping clarify these points can show that the Bible is historically and textually reliable, having been preserved with remarkable accuracy (e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls validate much of the Old Testament).
3. Biblical Foundation for Reliability
Scriptural Self-Attestation: Scriptures like 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirm, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” and serves to equip believers fully. This claim indicates that the Bible was divinely inspired, meant for teaching and guiding.
Jesus’ View of Scripture: Jesus Himself treated Scripture as authoritative and trustworthy, saying in Matthew 5:18, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or tittle will by any means pass from the Law.” His reference validates the Old Testament as enduringly reliable.
4. Responding to the Person’s Need for Reassurance
If we believe the Bible to be reliable, it would be appropriate to help this individual by sharing evidence and personal testimonies of Scripture’s impact, accuracy, and historical preservation. Rather than saying it doesn’t matter or changing the subject, an approach rooted in gentle teaching and genuine concern may help foster a sense of openness toward the truth of the Bible.
This approach meets the person where they are, presenting both logical reasoning and biblical evidence for the reliability of Scripture. It allows for meaningful engagement without dismissing the validity of their struggle or doubt.
J.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Agreed.
The more we can know the better it is.
I also think that knowledge can cement our faith...you know, be ready to give a reason.
These persons I'm talking about cannot do that, but they're still saved.
Eternally Grateful
Well-Known Member
St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
That's good advice if you want to maintain the status quo.
Can you prove the inflated claims that Protestant evangelical fundamentalism makes about the Bible?
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Lambano
Well-Known Member
Rebuilding the claims of inerrancy after they've been torn down is not the goal. Reestablishing the trustworthiness of the witness to Christ is.
St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
That's a great way to state it. Thanks.
I hope those who need to hear this are listening. "Let him who has ears to hear..."
Our witness is to the reality of the Christ, not to the veracity of paper and ink.
Matthew 16:15-16 NKJV
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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Lambano
Well-Known Member
Just remember, everything we know about Christ, who he is, what he did, and what he said comes from the paper and ink. Except for my friend Larry, whom I mentioned earlier. I'm not sure where his Jesus comes from.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Everything we know of Christ, imo , must be delivered by divine heart revelation.
The Bible confirms what the Spirit witnesses to our heart, we can read and read the Bible over and over,...only the Spirit can witness Jesus death and resurrection,to our spirit, the Bible is a means of confirmation ...he reveals his heart to our heart, just as his word confirms.
How do you get to know the Love Of God, just by reading the Bible, no, it’s comes by divine heart revelation...then the Bible confirms what the Spirit witnesses to our heart all day every day,God continually Loves us, by the power that is within us, the Living Holy Spirit..he witnesses the Love Of The Father to our hearts.he never stops witnessing his love to our hearts.
That is where we truly know God..the heart.
The Bible confirms what the Spirit witnesses to our heart, we can read and read the Bible over and over,...only the Spirit can witness Jesus death and resurrection,to our spirit, the Bible is a means of confirmation ...he reveals his heart to our heart, just as his word confirms.
How do you get to know the Love Of God, just by reading the Bible, no, it’s comes by divine heart revelation...then the Bible confirms what the Spirit witnesses to our heart all day every day,God continually Loves us, by the power that is within us, the Living Holy Spirit..he witnesses the Love Of The Father to our hearts.he never stops witnessing his love to our hearts.
That is where we truly know God..the heart.
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St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
Yes, but I would add that the canon was just the beginning of the story, not the end.
The legacy continues in so many ways.
In the long view, it is as if the Bible was the first domino to fall.
What came next is the result, which continues to this day.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 NIV
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St. SteVen
Well-Known Member
Your post reminded me of this for some reason. ???
2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—
not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
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