[Sean]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Sorry if you think all I was doing was poking holes, sometimes poking holes is the first step before explaining things.

I have not had as much interaction with you as with Sean so not too sure where you are coming from yet.
Here is part of the thing for me, I have taught and explained things is the past but if the person being taught is set in their mind they will like Sean not even consider or study that which disagrees with their theology.

Wait a minute Loren.....What do I have to study?....A bunch of COMMENTARY?
That is exactly what preterism is loren....COMMENTARY.
It does not allow someone to think for themselves as they see a verse clearly tell them something, but intruduces 2nd and 3rd meanings to half of the Bible!

Study that????



The other thing is most people get their beliefs by indoctrination, rather that personal study. They were taught their beliefs over and over then began to teach those beliefs the same way to others. If one does not have reason to question those doctrines, they will continue to believe and teach them as God inspired. Thirty five years ago while I was pasturing a church, someone questioned two standards of holiness, that caused me to take another look. Although I thought I had studied them many times before, this time I looked at many outside resources outside the church. Also I began to study history and the context before and after the passages used to teach those standards. For me I could not reconcile the teachings taught by my organization. I also found that there were others in my organization that also agreed with the same understanding I was coming to.

Loren, I am indoctrinated by the Bible I own. It clearly teaches me my doctrines to believe. The last thing I need is someone telling me it means something else, other than what I am reading........Capeesh?


The point to this is I now try to stay away from trying to persuade others to my way of thinking by giving my understanding. Because in doing so, all I am doing is indoctrinating others to my way of thinking rather they them finding it on their own. Therefore I will poke holes in doctrines, in the hope that it will cause others to question what they have been taught, and dig deeper in study.

I believe truth is truth and when someone studies to find truth with an open heart, truth will prevail. Paul told Timothy to study to show himself approved, he did not say go to the elders of the church to get your doctrine. The bible has always been and always will be my go to book for answers to life's problems, and it also holds the answers to the questions to prophecy, but one must study.

My last thought is don't look to other to teach you truth, study for yourself to find truth, truth will prevail. If there is one question, one contradiction in your mind then it cannot be truth.

Yes indeed, study ONLY the Bible and believe it as you see it. Not like others' tell you to see it. Study YOUR BIBLE!