Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
Another objection might be that there's no way to know the true context of the writing. We only have the "plain words" in front of us. True, but we have interpretive assets not available in centuries past, and we might avail ourselves of them. They are often located in WL's disdained "cemeteries", where people with actual training and skills can do quite a lot with the "plain words" of scripture, if you'd be willing to humble yourself and listen, and if you'd display a shred of curiosity instead of a self-sated "We have already arrived" attitude.
|
I am definitely a fan of the studied theologian, working in conjunction with an entire school of theology, in concert and discussion with other schools of theology, as they pour over pages of both modern and ancient manuscripts. Despite the flaws in virtually every group, they are lead by men and women who are well-versed in the sound teachings of the "fathers" who are more accurately those who were there with Christ or learned directly from them.
And speaking of the flaws that every one of us has, I am slowly becoming convinced that the flaws that we mostly look at and talk about are the least important things about us. Transubstantiation, consubstantiation, believer's baptism v baptism of the whole household, Arminianism v Calvinism (btw: Calvin didn't believe what is taught as Calvinism), charismatic v cessationist, communion every Sunday/month/quarter, immersion v sprinkling, "just call on the Lord" v a catechism, sign-on-the-dotted-line salvation v a process of hearing, coming to understand, then to belief, all without any "sinner's prayer."
The list goes on and on.
The real problem is not the differences. We can live with virtually all of them. It is the insistence by some that their differences are so special that failure to agree is almost like not believing. It is the open refusal to participate with those whose thoughts are different.
Christianity is no just shaking hands over the fence. They are joining forces. It may be small in some quarters, but it is a growing thing. We realize that we do not have it figured out. While we may chose to do most of our worship with those who think (mostly) like we do, we are not despising the others.
And then there are the LRCs on the fringes. The groups that think the others just aren't there. There is less division between the Baptists and Methodists than there is between the LRC and virtually anyone else.
And they do it in the name of oneness.
That is what is so utterly despicable to me about the whole thing.