That is true. But I think in each case, men are blinded by their own opinions of interpreting the Scriptures, don't you agree? People often see things through a very limited point of view and will not accept anything that is "outside the box". Thus, the "scandal to the Jews". Many could not see that the Christ had to suffer. They saw Deuteronomy's point that "those who hang from a tree are cursed". The Scriptures, then, could be used to argue EITHER point of view - that Jesus was the Christ, or Jesus was NOT the Christ. It is only the belief in the witnesses and their explanations, coupled with the Holy Spirit's imbuing one with faith, that will bring one to believe in the Word of God, Jesus the Christ.
The Jews at Thessalonika certainly "knew" the Scriptures that they were going to use as proof-texts against Paul. Thus, they "searched" the Scriptures through their own paradigms and ideas of what the Christ would be - a glorious savior. Jesus didn't fit that description, thus, they and the Pharisees were blinded. It wasn't the Scriptures that blinded them, nor was it the Scriptures that opened the eyes of the Bereans. It was God, working with a responsive man, that enabled the faith to enter into the Bereans, but not the Thessalonicans.
Recall Luke 24 and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? It was only AFTER Christ had opened their eyes to the Word in Scripture and how it applied to Jesus were they able to see all that we now take for granted. Correct?
Thus, the Scriptures were NOT what opened the minds of the Bereans or closed the minds of the Thessalonicans - and why I disagree with some Protestants' use of it in such a way.
Brother in Christ
Recall that Jesus counseled another group to search the scriptures (for evidence of Him) ... but that they, too, were more interested in condemning Him.
That is true. But I think in each case, men are blinded by their own opinions of interpreting the Scriptures, don't you agree? People often see things through a very limited point of view and will not accept anything that is "outside the box". Thus, the "scandal to the Jews". Many could not see that the Christ had to suffer. They saw Deuteronomy's point that "those who hang from a tree are cursed". The Scriptures, then, could be used to argue EITHER point of view - that Jesus was the Christ, or Jesus was NOT the Christ. It is only the belief in the witnesses and their explanations, coupled with the Holy Spirit's imbuing one with faith, that will bring one to believe in the Word of God, Jesus the Christ.
In some sense I would agree.
For it is certainly possible to cherry-pick through the scriptures ... in order to find support for any of a variety of beliefs.
However, the christian who is open to the message of God ... will be disposed to look at all of the scriptural evidence ... and so, can be brought to faith (or a deeper understanding) through study of the scriptures, IMHO.
The Jews at Thessalonika certainly "knew" the Scriptures that they were going to use as proof-texts against Paul. Thus, they "searched" the Scriptures through their own paradigms and ideas of what the Christ would be - a glorious savior. Jesus didn't fit that description, thus, they and the Pharisees were blinded. It wasn't the Scriptures that blinded them, nor was it the Scriptures that opened the eyes of the Bereans. It was God, working with a responsive man, that enabled the faith to enter into the Bereans, but not the Thessalonicans.
And God used Paul's preaching ... and the existing scriptures ... to bring the Bereans to faith.
It is not my belief that the scriptures will have any 'magical' effect ... and convert the resistant soul.
I do believe that the scriptures ... which we both believe in BTW ... set the example for the use of the scriptures (certainly Jesus made much use of them, Himself) ... in conveying the truth of God ... to the soul which is open to hear it.
I think that the majority of the Jews of Paul's day ... were not disimilar to the majority of Christians today ... in that they do not know the scriptures as well as they should.
Consequently ... they know what they have been taught ... by their leaders. In some cases, that works out to the good, ... in others, it is a detriment.
I certainly do not get the impression that those who heard the message of Jesus, and saw His works and evident love, ... and yet, continued to oppose Him ... were, in any way, open ... to believe what God was saying at that time ... whatever the source.
I do not get the sense that these Thessalonican Jews ... who traveled to Berea to stir up sentiment against Paul ... were, in any way, ... truly searching for the truth of God.
Recall Luke 24 and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? It was only AFTER Christ had opened their eyes to the Word in Scripture and how it applied to Jesus were they able to see all that we now take for granted. Correct?
Well ... first I think that we must agree ... that these disciples would already have possessed some undertanding and acceptance of Jesus' message.
I would then go on to say that ... the revelation which these two disciples received ... specifically regarded the recognition of the risen Christ ... and of how the Old Testament scriptures were fulfilled in Him.
Thus, the Scriptures were NOT what opened the minds of the Bereans or closed the minds of the Thessalonicans - and why I disagree with some Protestants' use of it in such a way.
In this case, no, ... and, I would say that in no case ... is it the 'scriptures alone' which effect any increased knowledge of God's truth, ... but rather, God's use of the scriptures.
Scripture is, clearly, ... a tool in the hand of God ... as is any other method of revelation which He chooses.
My view on this issue is one which is much more in line with regarding Scripture as the primary source of God's truth (i.e. in the sense of it being the final arbiter in one's search to obtain the truths of God).
And I certainly would say that God can (if He so chooses to ... and that He likely has) ... used the scriptures solely to bring one to a better understanding of His truth.
Certainly he has done so with me.
I came to Christ through the teaching ministry of those whom God placed in my life ... but I have come to a deeper knowledge of His truth by the study of the scriptures.
Brother in Christ