AK4
Well-Known Member
sojourner
The Bible isn't a Model T. A closer analogy would be the inclusion of several makes and models of the most exemplary cars in a collection that displays the history of the automobile and its impact on human society.
What?!!! You was good until you said that displays the history of the automobile and its impact on human society. Now if you replace that with is under the one control of one CEO or Supreme Head person (no other investors etc.) and they follow his instructions for that whole company under one goal/plan and they follow his instructions to tee.
Human intellect allows us to engage in two important aspects of "understanding the Bible." One is exegesis, as I've pointed out. This closely resembles what you say in your second sentence. The other aspect is gaining a theological understanding. The second, in order to be true, depends upon the first. Exegesis does not give us theological understanding. But it does provide a base upon which theology is built.
You seem to be skipping the first, foundational step. Therefore, your theology is skewed, because you're trying to understand something you haven't measured or appreciated for its social or literary merits.
First off even human intellect is given by God so God had given this intellect to do massive readings and study and even do as the prodigal son did and follow religions and beliefs that I thought were right (hint hint---sell all your possessions and follow me). It took all that intellect to be able to see how the lies of the church either got started, got into the church, has its roots etc etc. It took all that plus His spirit to come to the knowledge of the truth. Its kinda axiomatic to know what the truth is you have to know the lies are. To know what hot is you have to know what cold is
And your methodology takes you further and further away from your fellows and creates deeper and deeper division. The Bible was never meant to do that.
You are speaking unscriptural again (well at least for this age)
Mt 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Also all the parables show this. At the consummation of the ages though there will be no division