I believe in Jesus as much as any Christian, maybe even more than some. What I doubt are the teachings and doctrines that come after Jesus. (See first post)
Hebrews 3:1: Therefore, holy brothers who share in the heavenly calling, **FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON JESUS**!!
Hebrews 4:12,13: The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword... It judges the **THOUGHTS** and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. **EVERYTHING** is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or **BAD**!
2 Corinthians 10:5: We take captive **EVERY THOUGHT** and make it obedient to Christ!!
Romans 13:14: Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and **DO NOT THINK** about how to satisfy the desires of the sinful nature!
Matthew 22:37,38: Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with **ALL YOUR MIND**!! This is the first and **GREATEST** commandment!!"
Colossians 3:2: Set your **MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE**, not on earthly things!
Romans 12:2: Be transformed by the **RENEWING OF YOUR MIND**. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will!!
Romans 8:5,6: Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their **MINDS** set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the **MIND** controlled by the Spirit is life and peace!
Philippians 4:8,9: Finally, brothers, whatever is **TRUE**, whatever is **NOBLE**, whatever is **RIGHT**, whatever is **PURE**, whatever is **LOVELY**, whatever is **ADMIRABLE**,**THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS**... And the God of peace will be with you!!
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with His angels and **THEN** He will **REWARD** each person according to what they have done!"
I Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a **CROWN** that will not last; but we do it to get a **CROWN THAT WILL LAST FOREVER**! Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize!
Due to the interference of lengthy irrelevant irreverent irrational and self-obsessed postings, I feel it necessary to select and isolate, by copy and paste, any post I wish to reply to directly.
So here we go.
Here I’ve copied and pasted your (sadlup) post with my responses sandwiched between. Hope this makes sense as follows:
Quote Sadlup:
“LittleDavid,
Welcome back! It is a pleasure to sharpen iron with iron.
From what I think I know of you; you are now slouch when it comes to referencing Scripture. Therefore I often assume you know what Scripture I am referencing especially when I quote them partially word for word.”
L’David response:
Thank you!! I’ve taken on some extra responsibilities outside these forums walls so until I adjust, my responses might vary with regard to frequency and content.
Quote Sadlup:
“I appreciate your offer to start over and accept wholeheartedly. You must know by now there is a huge chasm between our beliefs. Yet I don't judge or doubt your salvation or relationship with God. While knowing the truth is valuable; it cannot save on its own. All knowledge will pass away - 1Cor 13:8. Our disagreements may seem to be about what is or is not true. But I assure you our disagreements are more about which truths are important as in effecting God's offer of eternal life”.
L’David response:
Yes, you’re right, there’s a huge chasm but we both have access to the same information. I agree “knowing the truth cannot save on its own” as even the demons “know” things about God but it doesn’t save them.
I also can’t judge people in respect to the secrets of their hearts and their ultimate salvation but I can ask information seeking questions.
Quote Sadlup:
“You asked; "However, I wasn’t exactly sure what you meant by the “New Testament writings ‘about’ Jesus” as opposed to the “teachings of Jesus”. And how is the later, if this is your opinion, “keeping the main thing the main thing.“"
This will be no doubt hard for you to accept, nor is my intention to convince you. However we can talk about it. To answer:
I will preface: I view the New Testament (NT) much as Othrodox Jews view the Old Testament (Tanach =TNKH). As a Jew, the books of the TNKH are divided into three levels of authority or inspiration. In descending order:
#1)T=Torah
#2)N=Prophets
#3)KH=Writings
I view the NT in a similar fashion:
#1) The Gospels *specially Jesus' teachings
#2) The letters of those who personally knew Jesus; John, James, Peter, Jude
#3) The letters of Paul, which I view as Midrash.”
L’David response:
It’s really not hard for me to accept that you have different beliefs than me.
I’m more interested in **why** you hold certain views, not so much interested in the fact you hold them.
Quote Sadlup:
This should explain why I value Jesus' teachings over Paul's teachings about Jesus. Not that Paul is wrong, but his teachings should always be interpreted in light of Jesus' teachings. And the teachings of Jesus should always be paramount.
“I am well aware most believe every word of the Bible is the dictated word of God. I used to be in that camp. I do believe the Bible is inspired by God, not dictated. Therefore we must realize this and interpret it according to the historical context in which it was written.
L’David response:
Not sure how you what you mean by inspiration and dictation.
Quote Sadlup:
“To some, according to their beliefs; this is heresy. I think different; I think this is coming closer to the truth.
“This then begs the questions; Who is Jesus? Who is Paul?
Jesus IS Messiah; we must listen to him.
Paul taught about the work of Messiah; he has valuable insights.”
L’David response:
How you answer these questions outside the revealed Word of God?
Not sure if you are still monitoring this thread, if you are; What questions are you referring to. As to dictation vs inspiration; dictation=akin to automatic handwriting; word for word. Inspiration=God prompted men who had strong a relationship with Him to write using their own words.
If you want to select a particular topic from your post and address the “why” you've chosen to accept it, that might be a good start.
I’m starting to narrow down subjects responded to in posts to about one-at-a-time because of the amount of study and reflection required to offer a qualified well reasoned response.
