Is the Bible...

[traveller]

I agree Wayne. I enjoy reading the works of Moody, C.S. Lewis, B Graham, and many others. Sometimes they give me thoughts to think on. Things I had overlooked. I believe the Holy Spirit can cpeak to us through these works, but they are NOT scripture. However, they are ABOUT scripture.

Also, many books bring us insight into the culture and political nature of the times. This is very helpful to me.

[WayneB]

I agree Wayne. I enjoy reading the works of Moody, C.S. Lewis, B Graham, and many others. Sometimes they give me thoughts to think on. Things I had overlooked. I believe the Holy Spirit can cpeak to us through these works, but they are NOT scripture. However, they are ABOUT scripture.

Also, many books bring us insight into the culture and political nature of the times. This is very helpful to me.

Exactly traveller! Well said.

[Wildgraywolf]

The Gospels and the Epistles give first hand testimony of Christ from those who knew him. I think it's ridiculous to believe that the Holy Spirit stopped inspiring folks after Pentecost or that early church leaders stopped writing Epistles after the last apostle died. The chruch didn't come to a screatching halt in 80 AD.

Ah, but this is where you must be very very cautious...and exactly why Bob is very concerned with this thread.

Only those books and letters that made it in to canon should be considered God's WORD. God provided for us the HOLY Bible through the canonization of those books and letters that HE wanted....as His Holy Spirit revealed to man.

Everything else must be tested and measured against God's WORD. If it doesn't match up with God's WORD, then it is a lie...plain and simple.

For me, it is like a courtroom. The Judge has the power to throw out those testimonies that are not 100% accurate and reliable. It doesn't mean that there isn't some truth to them but if there happens to be one fallacy, it must be tossed out and not considered.

The HOLY BIBLE is 100% TRUTH. All the other writings are those letters and books that can give insight to the early church but for whatever reason (and the Judge is the only one who knows for sure), they are not to be considered 100% reliable.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

I'm in full agreement with exercising caution. The New Testament is first hand testimony and should be the standard for any comparison. I simply maintain that the Holy Spirit didn't stop working when the last apostle died. The Holy Sprit continues to work in the present day and after.

The folks that compiled the original cannon had a lot of work cut out for them. It was a monumental undertaking; they had a huge body of writings to sort through. Clearly these men were working under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which I point out didn't stop working after Pentecost. We're talking now about 400 years later. These scholars working under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit compiled and preserved for us this first hand testimony that we call the New Testament.

I like your courtroom analogy... The testimony of an eyewitness is always more credible than any second hand source.

Edited September 1, 2004 by Wildgraywolf

[ServingHim]

I'm SURE that these are worth reading.

Perhaps, these would be worth investigating as well.

EDITED --- removed links

Edited September 1, 2004 by Saved by Grace

[Orr v'emet]

The Gospels and the Epistles give first hand testimony of Christ from those who knew him. I think it's ridiculous to believe that the Holy Spirit stopped inspiring folks after Pentecost or that early church leaders stopped writing Epistles after the last apostle died. The chruch didn't come to a screatching halt in 80 AD.

Ah, but this is where you must be very very cautious...and exactly why Bob is very concerned with this thread.

Only those books and letters that made it in to canon should be considered God's WORD. God provided for us the HOLY Bible through the canonization of those books and letters that HE wanted....as His Holy Spirit revealed to man.

Everything else must be tested and measured against God's WORD. If it doesn't match up with God's WORD, then it is a lie...plain and simple.

For me, it is like a courtroom. The Judge has the power to throw out those testimonies that are not 100% accurate and reliable. It doesn't mean that there isn't some truth to them but if there happens to be one fallacy, it must be tossed out and not considered.

The HOLY BIBLE is 100% TRUTH. All the other writings are those letters and books that can give insight to the early church but for whatever reason (and the Judge is the only one who knows for sure), they are not to be considered 100% reliable.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

Exactly!

I agree with you 100%

[WayneB]

I'm SURE that these are worth reading.

Perhaps, these would be worth investigating as well.

[WayneB]

I'm in full agreement with exercising caution. The New Testament is first hand testimony and should be the standard for any comparison. I simply maintain that the Holy Spirit didn't stop working when the last apostle died. The Holy Sprit continues to work in the present day and after.

The folks that compiled the original cannon had a lot of work cut out for them. It was a monumental undertaking; they had a huge body of writings to sort through. Clearly these men were working under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which I point out didn't stop working after Pentecost. We're talking now about 400 years later. These scholars working under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit compiled and preserved for us this first hand testimony that we call the New Testament.

I like your courtroom analogy... The testimony of an eyewitness is always more credible than any second hand source.

Exactly right...especially the testimony of the eyewitnesses being so important. That is why 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 is so critical to the FAITH...since it was the very first Apostle Creed.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[BobTriez]

Greetings in Jesus,

Let me clarify what I was saying here folks, as to not get too many people wound up here. I am in no way saying that it's wrong to read books; I've read/do read my fair share and there's nothing wrong with them.....as long as they agree with the Bible. The point I was trying to make ( and obviously did not convey ), is that the Bible is THE ONLY Word of God to be trusted! If I read a book by Dr. Graham for example, I expect it to first be Biblically sound and true; and second, I only use it as an educational guide to further my walk with God. To gain someone else's perspective; just like we all do here by reading threads.....but whatever is posted here best be in line with the Bible. If it's not, it needs to be tossed out. Same with books, teachings, doctrines, traditions, etc. We are told very clear in the Bible that we are only to trust the Word as preserved by God. Period. I happen to like certain authors, but to I trust them as having authority ? Absolutely not! Only the Bible has that power.

Are books ok to read ? Sure; as the others pointed out. That is not my issue. My issue is in saying - "hey, look at this writing or teaching/doctrine by so & so....wow - I like that better/it's different than the Bible - I think I'm gonna trust in this instead" Why would you even consider that ? Only the Bible is inspired....how do I know ? 'cuz God says so.

I hope I didn't come off too hard on you Dave ? That wasn't my intention. I felt led to make the truth be know up front - before this thread took off; that way we can discuss under some ground rules & understanding and it will be fruitful instead of it taking off in a downward spiral and then we need to lock it and everyone gets upset

Hope that cleared this up ? If not, PM Wayne and complain

God bless,

Bob

[traveller]

Hope that cleared this up ? If not, PM Wayne and complain

[WayneB]

Hope that cleared this up ? If not, PM Wayne and complain

Just a warning though. I don't listen well!