Scripture the Greatest Gift to Mankind,pt.2

[Iconoclast]

You havent. Jesus saved people prior to The Bible. Which is most important?

WHo was saved prior to the bible Reynolds?
I just want you to clarify this for me?
I think I know what you mean, but I do not want to assume. Could you clarify that? Thank you.

 

[JonC]

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The issue with this thread is no member is denying the value and importance of Scripture. It is God breathed, a revelation of God to man.

The problem is there are some who are devaluing God and the love He gifted us in the person of Jesus Christ.

No member has rejected Scripture supporting the use or value of the Bible.

 

[JonC]

WHo was saved prior to the bible Reynolds?
I just want you to clarify this for me?
I think I know what you mean, but I do not want to assume. Could you clarify that? Thank you.

Abraham. Peter. Mark. And without establishing Scripture as true in witnessing, the pagans at the Acropolis and the early Gentiles.

 

[JonC]

@AustinC,

Do you believe that God giving us Scripture is greater than God giving us His only begotten Son?

Is Scripture a greater gift to humanity than the Christ laying down His own life for us and dying for our sins?

 

[Iconoclast]

Abraham. Peter. Mark. And without establishing Scripture as true in witnessing, the pagans at the Acropolis and the early Gentiles.

I have not gotten there yet, but I will.

 

[JonC]

@Martin Marprelate,

I think I know the answer based on your previous reply, but I have the same question for you.

No member is minima zing Scripture. The Bible is God's own words, God breathed.

The issue of the OP is in its weighing the greatness of gifts (Scripture tells us the greatest is love, and God gifting humanity with His Son is God's love).

Do you believe that God giving us Scripture is greater than God giving us His only begotten Son?

Is Scripture a greater gift to humanity than the Christ laying down His own life for us and dying for our sins?

 

[Particular]

Several passages have been offered directly disputing Iconoclast's claims. The results of Pentecost rejects his claim. Peter's sermon in Acts proves him wrong. Paul's witness to the pagans and its result stands in contrast to his claims. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians proves him wrong. He just ignored them and kept on keeping on, not even hesitating to consider the Scriptures of which he is speaking.

Sometimes people get their minds set on one thing. Like here, perhaps a very good and holy thing. But then they push a doctrine beyond proper bounds. Sometimes they have committed themselves to the point they will never be dissuaded.

If Iconoclast t can ignore Scripture in defending his posts then I have to say we have no chance of correcting his error.

Isn't it ironic that "scripture" is used to make a claim. Shouldn't a mere assertion carry the same weight and authority?

 

[Particular]

@Martin Marprelate,

I think I know the answer based on your previous reply, but I have the same question for you.

No member is minima zing Scripture. The Bible is God's own words, God breathed.

The issue of the OP is in its weighing the greatness of gifts (Scripture tells us the greatest is love, and God gifting humanity with His Son is God's love).

Do you believe that God giving us Scripture is greater than God giving us His only begotten Son?

Is Scripture a greater gift to humanity than the Christ laying down His own life for us and dying for our sins?

Your final question is answered by saying that both are necessary. Without Christ Jesus atoning for the sins of those who believe, we would remain dead in our sins. Without the knowledge of Christ Jesus atonement, as written in scripture, we would never know of Christ Jesus atoning sacrifice. We would die in our sins.
God has ordained that both should work to lead his chosen ones to salvation.

 

[JonC]

Isn't it ironic that "scripture" is used to make a claim. Shouldn't a mere assertion carry the same weight and authority?

Scripture does carry that weight and authority. No one is denying that!

@Iconoclast 's argument is that God's gift of Scripture is GREATER than God's gift of His Son. That is the issue.

But Scripture is not a greater gift to humanity than is God's love in giving of Himself and sending His Son.

I'll ask you as well -

We know that in the first century there were Gentiles saved by Paul's preaching of the Gospel (Paul did not, as @Iconoclast claimed, have to witness by first establishing Scripture as true, as God's Word). Paul preached Christ and Christ crucified. Likewise, in the Old Testament Scripture was not always there. God certainly has used Scripture. And God used prophets, visions, and the fullest revelation of Himself to mankind - His Son. No one is downplaying the role of Scripture.

Do you believe that God's gift of Scripture to mankind is greater than God loving us by giving of Himself, by sending His Son?

We are not talking "necessary" but "greater".

Scripture is necessary (that is why God has given it to us.

BUT so is the work of the Spirit guiding and explaining to us Scripture (the lost cannot understand that which is spiritual).

So even here God is greater than Scripture because without the work of God in the lives of believers humanity could not grasp the spiritual truths of Scripture.

 

[JonC]

Your final question is answered by saying that both are necessary. Without Christ Jesus atoning for the sins of those who believe, we would remain dead in our sins. Without the knowledge of Christ Jesus atonement, as written in scripture, we would never know of Christ Jesus atoning sacrifice. We would die in our sins.
God has ordained that both should work to lead his chosen ones to salvation.

I agree. Both are important. Scripture is not "necessary" for salvation (the gospel, however, is). I have known people who were saved by God through a summary of the gospel on a bible tract. Salvation is the work of God. And it is God Himself who testifies to the validity of Scripture (God working in our lives).

My objection is to @Iconoclast insistence that God's greatest gift to humanity is Scripture and his continued argument that Scripture is even greater a gifting than God's love in giving His Son.

Iconoclast's intentions may have been well at the start, but he has gone off the rails with arguing that Scripture is greater than God in terms of what has been given to mankind. God is the greater gift. The gospel brings us to the Gift. The Gospel is the power of God to salvation. So here the actual Gift is again God. And God draws men, works in their lives and hearts.

Do you not find it a little troubling to read that Scripture is a greater gift than God giving His only Son, than Christ laying down His life?

 

[Iconoclast]

Your final question is answered by saying that both are necessary. Without Christ Jesus atoning for the sins of those who believe, we would remain dead in our sins. Without the knowledge of Christ Jesus atonement, as written in scripture, we would never know of Christ Jesus atoning sacrifice. We would die in our sins.
God has ordained that both should work to lead his chosen ones to salvation.

Yes...

 

[Salty]

THIS THREAD IS CLOSED