That of course is far more positive than I can sign off on. But my post was meant, like yours, to comment on what claims are justified. So I was just pointing out that the positive atheist claim was likewise not justified.
That doesn’t mean I’m ready to join your statement of faith. I have my own faith commitments, thanks anyway.
Neither does authored.
As the Holy Spirit has no corporeal form, how else does it author?
Richard
A Holy Spirit can author through a medium, like Joshua, using automatic writing or verbally through a deep trance medium. But after that, all is left in man’s hands. The editing, translating and publishing is all in the corrupt hands of man.
How does God work through providence? That would be a comparable question.
There is no justification for such notions. The Bible does not read as one author. here are many different styles let alone two languages. Besides. the words themselves are from the human perspective not God, unless actually quoting Him.
No, it is a human tradition, and a false one.
Richard
I can assure you, If you are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you know it. If not at the time, straight afterwards. Besides, If the Bible was authored by the Holy Spirit it would be inerrant. And it is clearly not.
Richard
On what basis?
Maybe there is more going on then you can see.
Dear Richard,
As I said, what we have today has the hand of men all over it and this is an experiment that can easily be replicated. Tell the same story over different times to different cultures and you end up with many different man-made religions. This is how the inspired books have come to us, and you can examples of this today if you are interested.
Best Wishes, Shawn
I have read the conversations in response to this suggestion. I think I understand most of them.
I would start with my understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit in my life. When He works with me, I know it. What happens as a result of His prodding or actions is always well beyond what I am capable of doing or imagining. It is this reliable mark of inspiration that convinces me that I have been inspired. Some may call that circular reasoning. I do not. I assume He worked in the same way with the authors of the books of the Bible, but, of course, I have no proof of that.
I also know when I look in the Old and New Testaments for the full counsel of God, I find consistency with complexity. I have learned to not think I understand what God wants me or others to know about a particular topic until I have examined His full counsel on it and even then, I realize I have likely missed much or at least part of it.
I suspect you are going to want an example of what I am suggesting, so I refer you to my book, “The Trouble with the Trinity.” In it I collate all passages I could find that contain a word for God and a word for one or more of the members of the Triune Godhead. I found over 1000 that met this criteria from 54 of the 66 books of the Bible. The insights they provide into the complexity of the Three-in-One nature of God are remarkable.
No, but I will not try and dissuade you. I have no desire to go swimming with a mill stone. But, anyway, if your faith relies upon inerrancy you will not accept anything I say. You will have long since “harmonised” any discrepancies you know of and will quickly resolve anything else. (in your, mind at least)
Been there, don’t want the T shirt.
Richard
If God had taken the trouble to ensure the accuracy of what was originally written He would not let a few translators or other humans ruin it. That is as ridiculous as thinking God would not protect a vital tree and rely on man resisting temptation.
Perhaps you should credit God with more intelligence?
Or maybe understand what Scripture is rather than what we might like to to be.
Richard
Just to say that I concur with your view of the Holy Spirit, but, as I have no problem with the Trinity I have not examined your writing. Perhaps I should, but, forgive me, I do not really wish to spend the time at present.
Richard
Dear Richard,
If wanted to serve us the Bible on platter He would have written it in granite for every generation to see. But He didn’t. The reason is seen in the words of Jesus:
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock , and it shall be opened unto you: (Matt 7:6-7)
We have to search for the pearls that He has hidden for us before we can find them. Instead of writing the Bible in granite, He promised to keep sending the Spirit of truth to keep His word alive. But these too we have search for…
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
I don’t want your T-shirt either.
Richard, I get the issue with time. I understand perfectly. No need for forgiving, but I do anyway. Have a blessed day. Carl
Richard
How is this remarkable or a demonstration that this could not have been written by men alone? Many people in Biblical times (especially before the exile) were familiar with other gods existing and it wouldn’t be unusual to describe the activity of these gods or some kind of divine council in nonsingular ways.
Sorry I am not sure what you are driving at.
Richard
It is not much of a search when you have someone that guides you to the treasure.
The only Spirit of Truth that can “be with you forever” would be the Holy Spirit. Which is what these verses are talking about. We are not promised a string of spirits but one Comforter.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:6
This is a place for gracious dialogue about science and faith. Please read our FAQ/Guidelines before posting.