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
Of course it is possible. It is natural for people to approach Scripture with SOME preconceived notion of Who God is - because we have all HEARD the Word according to other people. I would find it difficult to believe that someone took the Bible off the library shelf, unknowing of what is was, read it, and come to what GOD intended for it to mean. Proof of that is the many various heresies that Christianity has experienced, seen even in the New Testament (like 1 John or Jude or Colossians or Revelations readily come to mind). I sincerly doubt that man can read the Scriptures without some "Tradition" that came before to intepret it - even Protestants accept much of what has come before.
And God used Paul's preaching ... and the existing scriptures ... to bring the Bereans to faith.
Of course. But it is not the Scriptures that provided the Bereans with the faith. It was God granting faith to men and those men open to God's word. The Scriptures certainly were involved in confirming Paul's proclamation, like when Paul could have pointed to the Suffering Servant passages and say "see, the Messiah, the Christ, was SUPPOSED to suffer and die". Now, it is up to the men to determine if Isaiah REALLY meant this passage refering to the future Messiah OR the nation of Israel. Thus, the Scriptures alone are not enough. One can conceivably argue for or against the Suffering Servant passages as being applied to Jesus. WE believe they are.
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.
I would say they were similar to Saul - before the conversion. They were zealous for God - their idea of God. They saw themselves as the defender of the true faith, the Jewish faith that continued to express itself through the Law, not faith in a slain leader who supposedly rose from the dead. From THEIR point of view, they thought they were interpreting the Scriptures quite correctly! That is the problem with Scripture alone. To read the Scriptures properly, it must be done within the contexts of the witnesses who have gone before us - to the Apostles - who we believe actually witnessed the glorious Christ in person. This is all based on faith, of course. It is not something that is "proveable", although there is plenty of converging evidence that aids our intellect.
Well ... first I think that we must agree ... that these disciples would already have possessed some undertanding and acceptance of Jesus' message.
I am not so sure. I have been involved in Mark lately, so that is my current context - and those disciples were quite confused on who Jesus was, even AFTER the resurrection! I don't think the disciples knew the link between Christ and the Scriptures - remember the words of the Lord? "Didn't the Christ have to suffer and die"? He asked this as if the disciples did not believe or understand this (although Christ had told them that He would).
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).
I am sure you will agree it is a very powerful "tool"! I agree that it is a primary source of God's truth and in a sense, is the final arbiter of doctrine. Thus, you won't find the Church proclaiming that Jesus was in the tomb for a week. Nothing that God has revealed can contradict what is in Scriptures. Of course, Scriptures can be interpreted in different ways. For example, Catholics interpret John 6 in one way, Protestants in another. How does the Scripture become the final arbiter then?
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.
Well said.
Brother in Christ