Grace: So Christ gave us an infallible book that we can't be certain of what teachings lay inside? You even admitted that it is "their" interpretation, as if each person's goal in their Christian life is to determine what exactly God is teaching, instead of their being an objective source of Truth. But then you claim that the Bible is an objective source of Truth. But then you say that nobody can perfectly interpret the Bible. But then...
See the circle you've created?
Gina: Nope, I see no circle.
Yes, God gave us his infallible doctrines. No, we are not infallible in our interpretation of each and every word contained in them. It's really not that hard to understand.
Each Christian's goal in life is to go and teach of Jesus crucified, not to perfectly interpret every nuance of scripture. Study is important, but bickering over everything we don't come to perfect agreement on WITHING THE BIBLE is not.
Grace:
In one case we agree that it's not an important matter that should separate us and that it isn't something relevant to salvation.
So where again was it that Christ said that people were to decide for themselves what is relevant for salvation or not? Objective Truth, anyone? Anyone?
Gina: Study to show yourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed. He didn't say to decide for ourselves, he said to seek the scriptures and find the truth there, not to seek out the Pope or other writings as our final answer.
Grace:
Originally posted by Gina L:
In the other, we've agreed that I would not promote the belief.
So you hold dearly to a belief that is unimportant and cannot promote in your Church. That makes a lot of sense.
Gina: Exactly. Why doesn't that make sense to you? There is no church on this earth that is perfect. The belief is not unimportant, it's relevance to salvation and the teaching of it, which is THE most important doctrine there is and the focus of our Christian lives, that is what it is not relevant to.
Grace:
Yeah it's hard to sit there and hear what I believe called false, but there is no human body of believers that is going to agree 100%.
Well there goes the theory that Scripture interprets itself...
Gina: Who gave out that theory? LOL! Don't roll your eyes back too far, they might get stuck like that.
Grace:
Originally posted by Gina L:
There are, however, key issues of importance that cannot be denied, such as the method of salvation and the concept that humans make errors and do not have the authority to claim themselves as the final authority.
Instead, as you have stated, God just expects you to do the best you can with the infallible book that cannot infallibly be understood. That makes sense.
Gina: YES! God expects our best from us, what we can give to him through following him, not through following other teachings and people when they disagree with the plain teachings in the bible.
I'm about the eye thing...
Grace:
Originally posted by Gina L:
Nobody said you weren't allowed to discuss your false beliefs. Discussing them and attempting to turn people on a baptist board away and into Catholocism are two very different things.
I must have missed the part where a bunch of Baptists asked how they could sign up to be Catholics. Last I checked, the post was a discussion of why a Baptist or other Protestant would see the necessity of entering the Catholic Church. It was a doctrinal discussion on what is important to believe, not a membership drive. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Gina: Discussing beliefs and attempting to turn people on a baptist board away and into Catholocism are two very different things.