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Cal · 02-07-2013, 07:39 AM

NFNL,

Thanks for the quote and the warning that even God's people can be deceived.

While I appreciate your warning about the potential deception involved with subjective experiences, the fact is a Christian is supposed to have them. Verse after verse in the Bible tell us of things which can only be understood from the standpoint of experiencing them. Some examples:

Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. Acts 16:7.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1Jn 2:27

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Jn 14:20

So while warnings about the potential pitfalls of taking one's cues from our subjective experience are warranted, the fact is they are a essential part of the Christian experience. And since we are supposed to have them, they are supposed to form something of the reality of our lives and worldview. They are not optional or expendable.

It's also good to be warned that our experiences should never contradict the Bible. The problem with that is that the Bible cannot be interpreted correctly outside of experience. We need the Spirit to guide us into the correct interpretation, and the guidance of the Spirit is a subjective experience. So it's a bit of a Catch-22. You need the Bible to check your experience, but you need your experience to correctly interpret the Bible. The verses above are prime examples. Without experience, there are all kinds of false interpretations one could take from them.

Like all things that really matter, theory is easy. It's application that matters.

02-07-2013, 07:39 AM	#18
Cal Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 4,333	Re: The Building and a Bride in the Bible NFNL, Thanks for the quote and the warning that even God's people can be deceived. While I appreciate your warning about the potential deception involved with subjective experiences, the fact is a Christian is supposed to have them. Verse after verse in the Bible tell us of things which can only be understood from the standpoint of experiencing them. Some examples: Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. Acts 16:7. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1Jn 2:27 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Jn 14:20 So while warnings about the potential pitfalls of taking one's cues from our subjective experience are warranted, the fact is they are a essential part of the Christian experience. And since we are supposed to have them, they are supposed to form something of the reality of our lives and worldview. They are not optional or expendable. It's also good to be warned that our experiences should never contradict the Bible. The problem with that is that the Bible cannot be interpreted correctly outside of experience. We need the Spirit to guide us into the correct interpretation, and the guidance of the Spirit is a subjective experience. So it's a bit of a Catch-22. You need the Bible to check your experience, but you need your experience to correctly interpret the Bible. The verses above are prime examples. Without experience, there are all kinds of false interpretations one could take from them. Like all things that really matter, theory is easy. It's application that matters.