For My Own Eyes

[My Own Eyes]

Originally Posted by tbpew

In reading your OP litany I was only immediately saddened by one thing:

I don't believe that the Bible is inspired, the Word of God, or authoritative

I am really convinced that this conclusion is the an extension of being discipled by men rather than the spirit of God.

If yours was like mine, your primary interaction with scripture was the pre-digested "feed the birdie" kind of teaching/instruction. "This is what it means", "I read and study....YOU FOLLOW ME."

After weeks, months, and finally years, the scriptures are just some kind of tool used by people to manage outcomes among a group of people. They never have occassion or circumstance to become living, or a sought-for and discovered treasure....just more vomit from the some pre-digesting, disciple- maker of men.

Just for kicks, why not try petitioning God for some specific understanding on any specific topic of importance to you and then be open to use the scripture in whatever means you know how to search them for answers.

Scriptures are a witness of spiritual things. Please reconsider how you might handle them and see if spiritual understanding can be received as a refreshing to your spirit.

Actually it really wasn't like that. I am a totally book worm. I always have been. I read hundreds of books a year. (I actually keep track of them on a spreadsheet....in case you didn't understand just how big of a nerd I am )

I like to know things. I like information. I like to learn. When it came to church and the Bible, no one could have stopped me! In my first 6 months in church, I read the Bible through 3 times, read David Bernards Basic theology series, BUT read many more Trinitarian Non-Apostolic books.

I would scour my Bible for hours a day! No one ever had to encourage me to read my bible. (Now praying...that was another thing completely, lol)

I never even had a Bible study, well, until I taught one

So what was the problem? Anytime I came across an apparent contradiction, I believed that those who had been saved longer than I, were more spiritual, and wiser, and must be right.

The biggest problem, I would say, is that I feel like I was taught that either the Holy Spirit wasn't strong enough to speak to/teach/guide me, or that I wasn't smart enough to hear it. So I always trusted others over what I thought.