Do you actually read your own prooftexts?
Search the scriptures, for you think in them to have life everlasting (John 5:39)
Not a word about tradition or salvation by works; but it is the pharisees, who are described, with some irony, as those who think that everlasting life is found in the scripture., when Jesus is sitting right in front of them.
"Do you actually read your own prooftexts?"
Actually it is reading the whole of scripture not just one verse. Here is how Jesus looks at how the Pharisees use tradition to interpret scripture. (Mar 7:13) "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
Now if you understand that you can see understand what He is saying in John 5:38-40, "And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
Why would they not come to Him, because their tradition laden interpretation of the prophecies would not permit it.
it is the pharisees, who are described, with some irony, as those who think that everlasting life is found in the scripture., when Jesus is sitting right in front of them.
= = =
Perhaps reading your own post 25 times would be helpful.
This is NOT an aid to the perspective so often signed by your screen name.
It is an assertion that FACE TO FACE WITH THE LIVING WORD DIRECTLY--IS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH, GUIDANCE, PROGRESS.
INSTEAD
of narrow, rigid, pontifical clamorings about bureaucratic assertions about hair splittings about the text of Scripture from an ancient organizational perspective.
HELLO?