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Originally Posted by Ohio
I'm sorry you feel that this forum is a "safe harbor" for all but you on this thread.
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My comment about being the exception to the 'safe harbor' of this forum was intended to lighten the air. Truly, I am not offended with your attempts to balance out what I am saying which is admittedly extreme. If it is extreme, but true, then I am personally okay with it. I may not be able to communicate it properly to others, but I do know that there are quite a few on this forum who can hear and understand the substance of what I mean. Maybe my 'extremeness' in this area can be tempered by others to something that is more easily digested by those who need help.
For now, let's just see if the substance of what I am saying holds any water or not. I believe it does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
Matt, if we can evaluate all Christianity to the same standard, and not "raise the bar" when critiquing all the things of the LC's, then that's great.
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I'm not here to play the game of equity on this particular subject. I think the LC has done all the 'beating up' of Christianity needed. I don't need to add to that side of the scale.
In my view, let's start with our own house. That's what my family has had to do. We are not done with this process, but God has been good to us in all these things even when it comes to judging us. It starts at home or else it is not a fair game. This was one of the core issues with the LC. It was always pointing at poor, poor Christianity. Well, let's start with the LC (homebase) and focus on it. If we don't get past that, then we don't have to worry about everybody else. I take the reverse view on this point from others. I do so intentionally at this time.
If you point to others, then it's easy to make and keep friends. If you point to your own home it gets a bit more difficult. Judgment begins at the House of God. Let's let God judge us first. He promises to judge us unto mercy if we are faithful to repent. But, He definitely promises to judge. If you fall on this rock, you will be broken. If it falls on you, you will be crushed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I do hope your analysis can be tempered by the substance of the N.T. Perhaps the "wildly speculative O.T. interpretations" I have heard from "the ministry" have spooked me.
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As for the O.T. view of things versus the N.T. view of things I would like to add one point. Nothing in the N.T. has overriden anything in the O.T. Jesus Christ is the
fulness of the Law and the Prophets. At one point in my life the Lord impressed an important fact upon me. Paul could write the N.T. because he knew and understood the O.T. so well. In my reading of Paul, I have found that the O.T. is the key to understanding what Paul says.
Let me solidify what I mean by means of the N.T. and Paul's express statements.
Gal 3:22-25
But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The law is still a schoolmaster. We are not 'under' it, but we still need it's instruction.
1Co 10:1-14
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (5) But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (7) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (8) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (9) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. (10) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. (11) Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (14) Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Paul writes to Timothy, whom Paul discipled in the Lord.
2Ti 3:15-17
And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The holy scriptures that Paul is referring to when he speaks to Timothy are the O.T., not the N.T. The O.T. is able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is to furnish you unto all good works.
Don't leave behind the instruction of the O.T.. I believe it is folly to do so. Sometimes the O.T. is harder to swallow and sometimes men (me included) allegorize it too much. The N.T. changes some things for our benefit, but not God. God does not change. The O.T. gives us more of a window into the full character of God with many object lessons and examples. Without that context, the full meaning and reality of 'Christ in you, the hope of glory' cannot be understood and you can become prey to the evil one.
It has been my study of the O.T. that continues to make the N.T. a more fabulous part of the Bible. The N.T. does not exist without the O.T.
Matt