Should I get this book?

[ScottF]

I am relatively new to this forum and I have noticed that quite a few of you own and quote from this book often enough in some of your posts that I have taken notice of it.
So I am wondering if maybe I am missing out on something and should get my own copy. I figure it must be good if everyone keeps quoting from it. Maybe someone could explain to me why this is such a favorite?

 

[tinytim]

I would suggest for you to snoop around on their website to see if you agree with their theology before you give them your hard earned money. If you agree with Way of Life, then by all means go for it.

But if you are like me, and disagree with the legalistic attitude of Way of Life, then don't.

Snoop around and you decide.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I would suggest for you to snoop around on their website to see if you agree with their theology before you give them your hard earned money. If you agree with Way of Life, then by all means go for it.

But if you are like me, and disagree with the legalistic attitude of Way of Life, then don't.

Snoop around and you decide.

Agreed. I have seen some useful information on the Way of Life website. But for the most part, they tend to use exaggeration and out of context quotes to demonize people who disagree with their theology and cultural expression of theology.

Edit: I didn't realized they were Ontarians too until I just looked at their about page.

 

[El_Guero]

sounds like a troll trying to get free advertisement for that website.

The Book is the Bible - and if you use any other book [edited to be 'PC'].

 

[Gold Dragon]

sounds like a troll trying to get free advertisement for that website.

I don't think he is a troll. I agree that many have been referencing wayoflife like it is some kind of encyclopedic authority when it makes no attempt at presenting unbiased information or views.

The Book is the Bible - and if you use any other book [edited to be 'PC'].

I hope people read more books than just the bible. Other books help in the education process on topics the bible does not cover, like Calculus, World History, Biology, etc. And there are also many books to help us appreciate the bible like commentaries, lexicons, encyclopedias.

 

[Samuel Owen]

I don’t agree with buying any study tools that are doctrinally biased. There are many good reference tools out there that are not, such as "Holmans Bible Dictionary", or "Bakers Encyclopedia Of The Bible". Plus others that are not based on any certian doctrine, that are available.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I don’t agree with buying any study tools that are doctrinally biased.

What do you mean by that?

 

[thjplgvp]

Let me see? I am not Calvinist but I have in my library books on and by Calvinists, I am not secular in my reasoning but I have books written by secular humanists, I am not KJVO (technically) but I have a few books concerning the KJVO stance. But you are right "I would never have a book that is doctrinally biased" .... I have never heard such hypocrisy.


thjplgvp

 

[Gold Dragon]

Let me see? I am not Calvinist but I have in my library books on and by Calvinists, I am not secular in my reasoning but I have books written by secular humanists, I am not KJVO (technically) but I have a few books concerning the KJVO stance. But you are right "I would never have a book that is dcotrinally biased" .... I have never heard such hypocrisy.


thjplgvp

Samuel was talking about bible study tools, not books in general. I don't know if I would never have one that is doctrinally based, but I agree that I would avoid bible study tools that obviously spun a particular doctrinal view at the exclusion of all others.

 

[Jarthur001]

I don’t agree with buying any study tools that are doctrinally biased. There are many good reference tools out there that are not, such as "Holmans Bible Dictionary", or "Bakers Encyclopedia Of The Bible". Plus others that are not based on any certian doctrine, that are available.

humm

yes..I would like to know what you mean by this?
Doctrine has the idea of.."teachings"...so we could remove the Bible if we go by this statement.

As far as not being biased...that will never happen. The post above is biased toward doctrine. Al of us are biased and we cannot help it. We have to read though the biased ideas to get the truth.

As to Way of Life...Cloud is one of the most legalistic persons i know..and yes that is biased.

 

[Samuel Owen]

Webster's Definition of Doctrine: A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school.

I can teach someone simple truths, without complicating it with my opinions (which is Doctrine). When I used the term of doctrinally biased, I mean without any Religious Organizations input. DUH!. :BangHead:

 

[Tom Bryant]

Maybe I'm the silly one who doesn't get the "duh" comment. What kind of simple truths are you teaching that don't have your own particular doctrinal spin to them?

And doctrine is not my opinions. Teaching doctrine is biblical
Romans 16:17 - Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them;
1 Timothy 6:2-6 - Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slanders, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among men whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

 

[Amy.G]

I think people are missing Samuel's point. There are study guides/books/commentaries ect. that have a definite doctrinal slant as is also true of study Bibles. Then there are study aides/dictionaries that don't have a bias. They are just informational. Personally, I use the Holman Bible Dictionary and have never seen any sort of bias in it. I think he's trying to say it's best to use something to aide your study that has no bias one way the other.

 

[Samuel Owen]

Well if you want to consider anything that you or I would say to someone, on a broad term as being considered a doctrine you could. But what I term a doctrine is a dogmatic one, either you have to believe what I say or you are not accepted.

So what I was referring to way back at the start, was Organizational Dogmas. Those taught with certain religious over-tones to them, whether Baptist, Methodist, RCC, or whatever.

 

[thjplgvp]

Samuel Owens,

Your profile says that you are non-denominational; I will give you the benefit of doubt even though you are posting in a Baptist section.

It is interesting to me that while you “would not agree with buying any study tools that are doctrinally biased” you promote Spurgeon’s devotions on your web site. Aren’t you concerned he is a little biased?

The following statement is copied from your web site.

[FONT=Times-New-Roman, Times, Serif]The doctrinal views of this web site are fundamental (Not Fundamentalist). Based on the teachings of the Holy Bible, without Denominational influence.[/FONT]


These comments seem to be a little biased to me, are you sure they should be made public.


BTW I am unashamedly a fundamentalist and I am not legalistic nor bigoted but I am narrow minded and it seems to me that historically I am in good company.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I am just making a point here Samuel there is no such animal as unbiased. :laugh:

thjplgvp

 

[Samuel Owen]

If you read some of my earlier posts, you would have seen I was raised in a Baptist family, also was saved and baptized in a Baptist Church. But prefer to remain simply Christian, and adhere to no certain denomination. The statement on my website is correct - I am fundamentally a Bible believing Christian, but not a fundamentalist or of any other organization.

If its taught in scripture, or is supported by the same I accept it, but if its opinions of men, or doctrines of the same I do not.

 

[mountainrun]

Both Baker's and Vine's dictionaries are in my library.
Whatever you go with it is important to "test the spirits."

Have several references and always compare them and check the biblical references they give.

As several posters have spoken against it here, I probably wouldn't buy the one you asked about.

MR

 

[Pipedude]

It doesn't hurt to have a one-sided book in your hands unless it fools you into thinking that there's only one side to the matter you're researching.

If, on the other hand, you already know that there's only one side, then by all means get a book that explains your side to you and parrot what you find there. At least you'll make sense and your teaching will provide an anchor point for people who are looking for some system to follow.

But if you believe that people who differ from you might actually know more than you know about the matter, then stick with good, established reference works that will explain the various positions and the reasoning behind each. A book that claims that no one can disagree unless he is (1) a knave or (2) a fool is not a scholarly book.

There's nothing particularly wrong with being unscholarly until you do it while claiming otherwise.

 

[Jarthur001]

It doesn't hurt to have a one-sided book in your hands unless it fools you into thinking that there's only one side to the matter you're researching.

If, on the other hand, you already know that there's only one side, then by all means get a book that explains your side to you and parrot what you find there. At least you'll make sense and your teaching will provide an anchor point for people who are looking for some system to follow.

But if you believe that people who differ from you might actually know more than you know about the matter, then stick with good, established reference works that will explain the various positions and the reasoning behind each. A book that claims that no one can disagree unless he is (1) a knave or (2) a fool is not a scholarly book.

There's nothing particularly wrong with being unscholarly until you do it while claiming otherwise.

I agree fully. If I got rid of the books I disagree with, my books would but cut by 20-30%. If I disagree with the writer, I just write this on the inside cover and place back on the shelf. But one can gain infomation from every one. If you have the truth, you should not fear error. Holy Spirit works in us to give understanding. Not that you should study just error, but when you do this, you will dig deep to make sure you are right. In the end, your faith grows.

To remove such studies only makes you weak or maybe a parrot.
I have found more people as of late, that do not know why they believe what they believe. Take a stand for something and know why!!! Many today only take a preachers word for it. This is sad.

And I'll say this again...To think one is not bias, means they know very little, or they live in a world of their own...or maybe both.

 

[tinytim]

Remember the little stickers with a face on it that stood for poison? I used to use them to put on the front of the books I disagreed with. Like the Book of Mormon, or the NWT, etc. That way, If I die, the ones cleaning out my library will not be confused about the books I have in it.