Steve Ray has a list of 35 loaded Questions for "Bible Christians" (quotation marks his)(link to the whole list). This is number 19/35. I'm trying to provide the answers in a common format, for easy reference.
19) Protestants usually claim that they all agree “on the important things.” Who is able to decide authoritatively what is important in the Christian faith and what is not?
Simple Answer(s):
Everyone, no one, and Scripture.
Important Qualification(s):
1) Which answer to use depends, of course, on the sense of "decide authoritatively."
2) Scripture is the authoritative standard for such a question.
3) Everyone who is a believer is competent to read and understand Scripture and to seek out an answer to the question of which are the important things.
4) No one is infallible.
- TurretinFan
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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The memory I possess is exacting in some detail with some experiences I have had as far back as 54 years ago and minus some too and I am now 56 years old.
I have a memory of being pushed down a set of porch steps. When I ask my Mother and Grandmother about the incident they both witnessed their memory both agree I wasn't more than nine or ten months old, maybe a bit older, but, absolutely I wasn't walking yet. My brother was having fun with me as we were both on the porch sunning in the bright morning sun. He started playing with me and accidently or intentionally pushed my baby carriage off the porch. I have a vivid memory of that event.
I share that to point to the phenomenon of "believing" God exists. Where is our belief abilities with us? As far as I know I have always had a sense of God and His presence all around me.
Now, reading this::::>
TF: "....3) Everyone who is a believer is competent to read and understand Scripture and to seek out an answer to the question of which are the important things....".
Particularly "....who is a believer..." strikes my mind this morning.
Why?
Well, this is for those who absolutely have been touched by the Almighty, having also been sent the Holy Spirit through Christ; and so, believing Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, I quote some verses from Psalm 33 and Ephesians 3:::>
Psa 33:10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
Psa 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psa 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
Psa 33:14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
Psa 33:15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
Now, I assert that those Words of the Psalm is exegeted well with these Words from chapter 3 of Ephesians:::>
Eph 3:8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Eph 3:9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
Eph 3:10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Eph 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Eph 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Now, indeed, there has been a conquest given to God's people among the generation of nations to call out to the Elect in them that they are too a part of the Holy Nation, they too are a peculiar people to be built upon a sure foundation, Who is the same stone of stumbling and rock of offense.
Now, the point is, though I know I have had a sense of God and His presence all my memorial mind these 50 plus years, I can point to a specific time historically when I was "touched", enlightened by the Spirit of Grace and Truth to know Jesus as My Savior and Christ, the Christ and Savior of His people:::>
Mat 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Now it is clear, it is "[H]e" not "[s]he" Who will save His people from their sins.
Psa 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
Psa 46:6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
Psa 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Turretinfan; That is the worst answer ever. Over and over you make the same mistake. The bible is not a "court of appeal". It does not "say" anything. It is read and the reader make an interpretation of the text. You and Jame White think you believe in "sola scriptura". thats right I said "think". You believe in Sola Turetinfan and sola James White. Just like Martin Luther you infallibly declare the Catholic Church fallible. Just admit it!!!!
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