Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I find the above two statements a little odd. First, you suggest that the Bile ought to be taken very seriously, and that it serves as a "moral compass", but readily admit that it is beyond the comprehension of most people. I have no problem with this position—in fact, I find it more appealing than that which treats the Bible "plainly"; as if it should be read from cover to cover like any other book. It is what follows that seems to present an inconsistency:
First, the purpose of the Church was NEVER to serve as "the voice of the Bible". The Church always has and still does serve a much deeper sacramental purpose; the purpose of the Church in its most basic function was always to celebrate Christ: through prayer, through worship, and through the sharing of a communal meal, which eventually became the eucharist or it's protestant equivalent, communion.
Second, if the Church was always so critical as an institution to good biblical interpretation, then to declare it as irrelevant is to cut your own position off at the knees. By your own admission, the Bible is not easily understood, and because the Church has historically served as the vehicle through which the Bible is read, in removing it, you have removed the efficacy of the Bible as well, despite your confession that it is important enough to serve as a moral compass.
The Bible bears witness to the Word of God, and is revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible is authoritative because of who Christ is, and because of how it is read in and by the Church. One cannot be removed from the other: the Church and the Bible are religiously symbiotic.
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The Chuch has nothing to do with the Bible - they are in my view completely different. Church today is no more than a perverse social club that uses the bible as the drug to get people to attend on Suday mornings.
The path of the Bible is not a Sunday 9am-11am tea party so I can get home and watch football event. It is a 24/7 365 day commitment to bettering youself and hopefully a few people around you.
As per heaven/hell. I believe in personal responsibility and I like to believe that those who arent properly punished in this life, are in death. Heaven to me is nothing more than the realization before you die that you were a good person and did what you could to better yourself and the few people around you that you care about.
This is a personally important issue for me, I know its not the same for some on this board (in fact its a joke) so before this discussion turns negative, this will be my last post on the issue as I dont wish to be banned. Thank you.