Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
OOOWWWWCCCCHHHH!. Man oh man did I have that one comin!
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Wasn't aiming at you. It is just a perspective.
But I think there is something in a view of the Bible as broadly instructive to us common folk without a need to be memorizing the details of the deep possibilities of theology. Having those who know those things helps keep it all in line.
Remember, we are likened to sheep being led by a shepherd. While those parables about the sheep, shepherd, fold, gate, etc., did have Jesus as the good shepherd, he also made it clear that there are shepherds that are not simply Christ by implying that we need to have some consideration as to the nature of those shepherding us. If it is "simply Christ" and only that, then we just reject all humans.
And we need to be awake enough to hear nonsense, perk up our ears and say "huh? You're crazy! Get out of here!" Then find someone(s) who is(are) not crazy and allow them to help us from falling off cliffs, wandering off after greener-looking grass, etc.
I have been noticing that Jesus spoke one way to the masses and another to those he was sending to continue in his stead. We like the reference to a kingdom of priests, but I'm beginning to thing that even that had a context. Yes, we are all to be ready to preach the gospel. But our primary goal is living the life man was made to live in obedience and righteousness. If we do that, the opportunities for using our mouths will come. But even then, the best part of our "preaching" is what we can say about the changes in our own lives. We do not need to be ready to provide deep theology. Peter said to be ready to give an answer for what you believe, not for how to understand the description of the decimation of entire groups of people (which, by the way, appears to have never happened). Our living is about righteousness, not better understanding of the theology of the Trinity.
Yet, at the same time, we need to recognize that "Christ became the Holy Spirit" is simply not in the Bible. But that should be enough. Recognize the gross error and turn away from such teachers. Not become our own self-teachers.