[zeek]

Originally Posted by zeek

One is free to accept the traditions that have been passed on by the historical church. But then of course one isn't going only by the scriptures. And one has to decide how much of the historical church tradition is "Christianity". The result is that different schools of thought, denominations and individuals cherry pick the parts of church history that they like. Hence the many denominations including the local church movement. I don't see any way to get around it. Obviously one is going to claim divine inspiration for their viewpoint. But as far as the Church of all believers is concerned that perpetuates the problem.

In other words simply be aware that when you interpret the Gospels as the works of the apostles Matthew and John or their immediate followers Mark or Luke you are not following the Protestant hermeneutical rule of faith which says that scripture is to be interpreted by scripture. Rather you are following the practice of traditional Christianity. Not that there was anything wrong with that except to one who strictly follows only the Bible like Witness Lee and other fundamentalists claim to do. I have yet to meet anyone who really does.