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There is no private interpretation of Scripture. As GSHS(R) has pointed out for us, Scripture is interpreted by Scripture.

Jesse, this statement is an absolute absurdity. Scripture can't "interpret" scripture. Only a mind can interpret anything. Interpretation is a cognitive act; and scripture is not "cognitive." It is information -- divinely inspired and absolutely true -- in search of a knower, a mind, a soul.

Earlier you suggested that Christ's revelation to us was the complete revelation of the Mind of God. I strongly doubt this view is scripturally valid. For the great theologican and spiritual writer, Francis Schaeffer, observed that, in the Holy Scriptures, God has told us of Himself "truly, but not exhaustively." That is to say, He did not communicate everything about Himself -- likely because there would be no way for the human mind to take it all in, to understand God's Mind, Will, and Purpose.

That is why the more mystical spiritual traditions of Christianity invariably posit a "cloud of knowing" or a "dark night" as being betwixt the human mind and God's Love and Truth. The closer we draw to Him in meditation, the more we notice this "cloud." But its very presence means God is near. I imagine that "cloud" is there to protect man; for God cannot be comprehended -- God the Father is the Unseen God of the burning bush, the I Am That Am. Man cannot contemplate Eternal Being in full -- his mind is not capacious enough, and the effort likely may destroy him.

Plato's daimon can't help you and no amount of rocking in your room, with your eyelids turned up twitching, helps either.

My word you have do an active imagination, Jesse! But making me the butt of a silly joke doesn't help your argument.

Thank you so much for your excellent post!

Man cannot contemplate Eternal Being in full -- his mind is not capacious enough, and the effort likely may destroy him.

Oh, absolutely! Whereas we know God through the indwelling of the Spirit and by abiding in Christ - becoming One according Jesus' prayer for us in John 17 --- we can never fully comprehend the Father, not ever! That would be to make oneself of equal or greater stature.

I shudder to think of what happened to one who tried:

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never [shalt] thou [be] any more. - Ezekiel 28:16-19

And then there was Job who only dared to reprove God:

Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one [that is] proud, and abase him. Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; [and] bind their faces in secret.

Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee. - Job 40:6-14

I didn't mean you personally. It was a reference to mystics. However, now I have received a message from Jim Robinson to remove my comments elsewhere. The forum is now all yours, all the time. Now you can present your gnostic Christianity without any fear of correction. So much for honest and open discussion, thanks a lot, on behalf of true bible believing Christians everywhere