So who DO you agree with?

I agree with the Bible. It is my sincere wish that all discussions on this topic would disappear from the BB. I see that that the Baptist Theology and Bible Study forum is now studded with such topics. Sad.

 

I am saying that even now, our finite minds could never fully comprehend the magnitude and wisdom of God or fully understand the great intricacies of salvation. That only when we have the mind of Christ will we truly understand. Until then, each of these is merely man's feeble attempt to describe an infinite God and his mystery of salvation. While we are busy arguing the finer points, lost men are passing us by and we are missing opportunities to share the hope of Jesus.raying:

 

What can I add to the last two posts? Spot on! Since no man is infallible, no system is infallible. I can agree on SOME things from each of the systems in the OP. Why the need to "belong"?

 

"A man must have a stout digestion to feed upon some men's theology—no sap, no sweetness, no life, but all stern accuracy and fleshless definition. Proclaimed without tenderness and argued without affection, the gospel from such men rather resembles a missile from a catapult than bread from a Father's table. Teeth are needlessly broken over the grit of systematic theology, while souls are famishing. To turn stones into bread was a temptation of our Master; but how many of His servants yield readily to the far worse temptation to turn bread into stone! Go thy way, metaphysical divine, to the stone-yard, and break granite for McAdam, but stand not in the way of loving spirits who would feed the family of God with living bread." ---Charles Spurgeon, Feathers for Arrows

 

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To say, "I agree with the Bible", and then wish that all discussions of theological views and systems would disappear, sounds very good, very noble, even very holy, but it is very flawed and wrong.

Even the J.W.'s say that! The question is what do you believe the Bible is saying? And the moment you begin to answer that question, you have a "theological system", however simplistic or involved it may be. But you still have one.

 

So you have a hybrid system. But you still have a 'system' by which you interpret the Bible. And if you read what you wrote you would see that you have in a sense elevated your learning above the combined understanding of the theologians of the Christian church for 1900 years.

I can't wait to read your book.:thumbs:

 

For those who don't like labels at all ... I suggest the next time you go grocery shipping, ask the store manager to rip all the labels off the products. Your shopping experience will become a good example of what it would be like if there were no 'labels' on belief systems.

 

Are you asking "who is infallible"? Are you asking "who has complete understanding of the mind of God"? It seems that you want us to identify that person or that system that is perfect. It seems that you have chosen one that you think is perfect and that explains everything. I have not identified that perfect person or perfect system. Therefore, I agree with Marcia. I believe the Bible, though I do not profess to understand everything that is in it.

 

Nice backhanded Ad Hom I never claimed to be more "elevated" than any theologian...but you know what? We all have the same Holy Spirit. You may have "heroes" who you think are infallible, but I don't hold anyone to that standard but God.

Don't hold your breath on the book...I don't see that as being necessary to be strong in one's beliefs.

 

Problem is, a systematic theology that is already in place cannot be changed. I have (and will) change my views on a number of things over time (including TULIP) at the Holy Spirit's direction...something that is an impossibility for a system already in place. I'ts quite arrogant to think that only one system is infallible, and one "ism" is immutable truth.

 

The fact that so many church forefathers have differing views on scripture is a testament to the fact that the full wisdom and understanding of scripture cannot be fully contained or completely understood by the mind of fallible men. This should come as a comfort to all of us, that there is no need for us to have such an understanding of scripture in order to have right faith or doctrine.

If anyone here says they've got it all right, that person is wrong.

If anyone here says they've got it all right, and that anyone who holds a different view is not a bible believer, that person is not only wrong, but unrighteously wrong.

 

Some think they have God and the Bible wrapped up in a neat little theological box with a ribbon on top. Personally, I don't think it's quite that simple.