You responded : 2 Timothy 3:15-16 says that the scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation ... and that they are God inspired, ... and that they are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
That does not answer my question - what IS Scripture and WHO decides what it is? Is ALL "Scriptures" inspired by God? The Koran is called Scripture, as is the Hindu Sacred writings. What is Christian Scripture and who determined it??? The individual components do not indicate that they are Scritpures. For example, if you found Philemon separately as a man living in 100 AD, would you immediately say "hey, that is inspired by God". As you can see, my question addresses the makeup of the Canon more than the already-determined compilation.
Again, it is the Church that makes that determination, not the Bible itself.
Also, in John 10:11, Jesus says that scripture cannot be broken..
What does that mean? That the OT cannot be broken? And again, the question of what IS Scripture is left unanswered.
I believe it ... because the Church believes it.
Me too. But if the Church believes in a third state of existence called Purgatory, you refuse to believe that. Why? Forgive me, but does this not sound like YOU are the final judge on what is Truth and what is not Truth, despite the Scripture calling the CHURCH (not the individual) the pillar and foundation of the Truth?
But getting back to your question ... I do believe that the Church is infallibly led by God. I believe that the Truth always resides within the Church. That said, I do not believe that all Truth resides in any particular segment of the Church.
I agree with your first statement. I do not believe "ALL" the truth is resident in any particular segment, either. However, I do believe that we CAN find what God wants us to know in this era by turning to one particular place, one that is visible and one that has existed from the beginning. I do not believe that God has discontinued His protection of this organization. The Church of the Incarnation is like its leader, Jesus Christ: It is visible and human as well as spiritual and invisible. Thus, I will admit their is a component of the "invisible" Church. However, I believe this is reserved for those who do not reject the VISIBLE Church - perhaps they are unaware of the Visible Church or are not aware fully of its claims. But to pit the Visible AGAINST the Invisible is a mistake, in my opinion, because it does a disservice to its Head, who is visible and invisible WITHOUT dissension.
As always, it is a pleasure speaking with you.
Brother in Christ
That does not answer my question - what IS Scripture and WHO decides what it is? Is ALL "Scriptures" inspired by God? The Koran is called Scripture, as is the Hindu Sacred writings. What is Christian Scripture and who determined it??? The individual components do not indicate that they are Scritpures. For example, if you found Philemon separately as a man living in 100 AD, would you immediately say "hey, that is inspired by God". As you can see, my question addresses the makeup of the Canon more than the already-determined compilation.
Scripture is, simply, the recorded word (or expression) of God.
It is God Who inspires it's writing ... and its God Who brings about its recognition.
Again, it is the Church that makes that determination, not the Bible itself.
It is God that makes that determination. The Church doesn't create or determine scripture. It is used by God as a conduit to present His scriptures to the world.
Actually, I would change my last post thusly ...That does not answer my question - what IS Scripture and WHO decides what it is? Is ALL "Scriptures" inspired by God? The Koran is called Scripture, as is the Hindu Sacred writings. What is Christian Scripture and who determined it??? The individual components do not indicate that they are Scritpures. For example, if you found Philemon separately as a man living in 100 AD, would you immediately say "hey, that is inspired by God". As you can see, my question addresses the makeup of the Canon more than the already-determined compilation.
Scripture is, simply, the recorded word (or expression) of God.
It is God Who inspires it's writing ... and its God Who brings about its recognition.
Again, it is the Church that makes that determination, not the Bible itself.
It is God that makes that determination. The Church doesn't create or determine scripture.
The Church is used by God as a conduit to present His message/expression to the world.