This is one of the many reasons there is great dispute in Faith, and thousands of denominations all claiming they have the "Truth".
Men stand up and claim, "God told me", and so people find themselves following an Idea that lives in the Spectral World where proof can't be touched, verified, and deemed valid. We are told, “That’s the Man of God, and touch not mine Anointed”, so fear keeps us in the bay of not questioning such statements.
All Faith's do this. We can pick any one. The Mormons go way out there, into realms and visions that look and sound good and we laugh them off as crazy with False Doctrine. Yet, we do the same thing. We allow men to stand up and say, "God told me" in the Apostolic Church, and because we are committed to our Idea regarding Scripture we give them that liberty.
If you really think about it, telling people that God told you something is probably one of the broadest forms of manipulation on our Planet.
I think you're on to something, NFS.
Without quenching the leading of the Spirit, we must be careful not to make our actions all divinely authorized by God.
I suppose since the foundation of the church is already built, it must be consistent with the teaching given to us as that foundation. Second, these "sayings" are technically in the category of "prophecy" and the church has some ways, as a spiritual community, to filter out false prophecy.
I suppose since the foundation of the church is already built, it must be consistent with the teaching given to us as that foundation. Second, these "sayings" are technically in the category of "prophecy" and the church has some ways, as a spiritual community, to filter out false prophecy.
Does being consistent with the written Word prove that it is authentic? E.g., Brother Truthkeeper says "God says we must disfellowship Brother Timmy." Quite consistent, I'd say. But did God literally give that message to Brother Truthkeeper?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Does being consistent with the written Word prove that it is authentic? E.g., Brother Truthkeeper says "God says we must disfellowship Brother Timmy." Quite consistent, I'd say. But did God literally give that message to Brother Truthkeeper?
No. I don't believe so.
I question anyone, in your example, that just says "God told me." Provide a reason. Let the church judge that. I'm not sure how that's "consistent with Scripture" except someone flipped through a concordance and found where something similar happened (though many ignore the details surrounding the decision to boot someone out of the community and unfortunately make what is an exception to be something is normative practice).
Ironically, not even Paul said "God told me to tell you to kick this bumb out." He appealed to his authority as an Apostle and supported with reasons. Then he qualified what he was doing to talk about love. It most certainly wasn't normative.
I question anyone that says God told them in that instance. Provide a reason. Let the church judge that. I'm not sure how that's "consistent with Scripture" except someone flipped through a concordance and found where something similar happened (though many ignore the details surrounding the decision to boot someone out of the community and unfortunately make what is an exception to be something is normative practice).
The details may well apply in this example!
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Without quenching the leading of the Spirit, we must be careful not to make our actions all divinely authorized by God.
Jeff, I've used the term, "God Told ME", many times throughout my Christian life. Looking back, I realize we can say many things under the spell of emotion and religious fervor.
I steer clear of saying that to people anymore. I might share an opinion as coming from a deep feeling I can't really describe, but to say, "God told or spoke to me", this kind of statement is resting on the border of a lie.
I've had crazy people come to our Church, hearing all kinds of voices in their head. They've stood up and testified that God had spoken to them, and if others didn’t know better they might believe them. In fact, if you’ve been in this movement for any length of time, Testimonial services can be the worst place where this happens.
Maybe we are loose with this term because we are loose with others. For example, "How are you today? Fine." We may feel downright rotten, but we still say fine. "God told me" may be more of a quick description of being deeply moved, and we don't know how else to describe it, or just don't think about what we are saying.
because saying he is three and he is one can mean anything. Unitarians can believe that. The other things are flat out heresy. Either God/Father can be seen or not.
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Tritheism is heresy and I will not agree to hold hands with people who believe that. Well I saw "________" as mentioned above is heretical. Teh well you are not praying to X and not enough of Z and should more to Y is HERESY! No, I won't hold them with the same esteem as I do others.
Those were admittedly goofy examples and were intended to show some extreme instances of the "God told me..." kind of manipulation. Personally I'd be a bit hesitant to "hold hands" with someone who was found to be visiting prostitutes with such frequency, but that's another matter.
"Orthodox" Trinitarians don't truly go for the tritheistic language. They tend to be more careful to avoid that entanglement. How would you feel if someone said, "'God told me' that the Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Father..."?
Are you trying to say something like: The Bible says not to eat things strangled and Timmy is serving "Pressed Duck" - then someone might say, "God told us not eat dinner at Timmy's house tonight..."?
Instead of "God told me so" being one of those "voices" in some one's head, it's really just someone's reading of the Bible.
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