What has God said? You have to have faith in men, to think you can answer that question: the ones (certain ones, that is) who wrote the Bible, and the (certain) ones who decided which books belong in the Bible.
There is more to it than that. If there is a God, and we both agree there is, and He inspired men to write His will for what He wanted men to know, then we have to realize He had His hand on whatever He inspired to be written. It's more than just asking who determined what should be canon. God is a factor in this. And what is most logical?: -- 1) That God inspired men to write, and then abandoned his concern for us to read those words from that point onward, and left it to chance to determine what books we would have today to read, or (2) that He had His hand on the issue and motivated men to make popular what he wanted us to readily have available at our hands?
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
There is more to it than that. If there is a God, and we both agree there is, and He inspired men to write His will for what He wanted men to know, then we have to realize He had His hand on whatever He inspired to be written. It's more than just asking who determined what should be canon. God is a factor in this. And what is most logical?: -- 1) That God inspired men to write, and then abandoned his concern for us to read those words from that point onward, and left it to chance to determine what books we would have today to read, or (2) that He had His hand on the issue and motivated men to make popular what he wanted us to readily have available at our hands?
Of those two options (there are others!), the second one is more reasonable, sure. But, if God had his hand on the process, one must wonder why he failed to produce, through the process, one universally accepted canon.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Of those two options (there are others!), the second one is more reasonable, sure. But, if God had his hand on the process, one must wonder why he failed to produce, through the process, one universally accepted canon.
If God disallowed there to be more than one canon, while ensuring the most popular would be His will, then God would have to abide by the same principle and disallow sin from so much as existing! That idea opens a can of worms that becomes nonsensical. He requires faith, whether we like it or not. What faith would there be for us if He disallowed any other canon at the hands of man?
I do not pretend to be the sole arbiter of logic and faith, but I try my best to make sense in a manner using faith.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
If God disallowed there to be more than one canon, while ensuring the most popular would be His will, then God would have to abide by the same principle and disallow sin from so much as existing! That idea opens a can of worms that becomes nonsensical. He requires faith, whether we like it or not. What faith would there be for us if He disallowed any other canon at the hands of man?
Oh, that would be terrible! Clarity, from God? Yikes!
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I do not pretend to be the sole arbiter of logic and faith, but I try my best to make sense in a manner using faith.
And you have chosen what to have faith in, just as Muslims, e.g., have.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Oh, that would be terrible! Clarity, from God? Yikes!
You know there is a God. Why do you think he allowed things as they are, or do you somehow think it is absolutely clear?
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And you have chosen what to have faith in, just as Muslims, e.g., have.
Yes I have, in all honesty and sincerity and have seen results as a result!
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
You know there is a God. Why do you think he allowed things as they are, or do you somehow think it is absolutely clear?
Actually, I am agnostic with deist leanings. He hasn't "allowed" anything, or rather has allowed everything. It makes more sense to me than to think he heals some and not others, and leaves us wondering why. For example.
Quote:
Yes I have, in all honesty and sincerity and have seen results as a result!
Your faith is not the only one with results.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Actually, I am agnostic with deist leanings. He hasn't "allowed" anything, or rather has allowed everything. It makes more sense to me than to think he heals some and not others, and leaves us wondering why. For example.
Your faith is not the only one with results.
My faith allows for and explains "results" in other faiths as well. read about Pharaoh's magicians and ...
Deuteronomy 13:1If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."