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To: MarkBsnr; Mad Dawg; kosta50; P-Marlowe; Dr. Eckleburg; blue-duncan; hosepipe
God’s interference on earth now is much more subtle. He created and left His Church in order to speak, teach, etc.

I do not reach the same conclusion. Jesus said:

John 16:7 : But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

In the realm of God's "interference", Jesus effectively replaced Himself with the Holy Spirit, Who is just as active today in all of our lives as Jesus ever was with those He interacted with back then. Miracles are commonplace and happen every day in all parts of the world. In fact, Jesus even implies here that God's influence is even GREATER now since He has returned to Heaven. I would agree.

God certainly did leave HIS Church to speak and teach, etc., but in no way does this diminish God's very active role in the lives of believers around the globe.

So therefore, everything except for His direct actions (miracles etc.) could be considered to be man made.

What is a miracle, i.e. in what things does God not have direct action? I would consider everything that was truly man-made to be sin.

In the same way, the Bible writings were man made, the Bible assembled was man made, the writings of the Church are man made and the Church doctrines are man made.

I don't understand this at all. :) What is the meaning of "God's inspired word"? I think that absolute miracle was paramount in both the writing of and the assembly of the Bible.

We don’t say that the Holy Spirit forsakes the laity; we say that individuals are more prone to Scriptural error than the deliberative body that we call the Magisterium.

Yes, which is why I tried to be careful to include something to the effect of "on matters of interpretation". I know you don't believe in a total "shut-out". But I do see a barrier there that is very concerning, and appears to impede a close, intimate, and personal relationship with God.

We don’t think of God as lending authority since it implies that He would take it back.

I would agree with you if you are saying that God never took back the powers He gave the Apostles. I was thinking more in terms of the ability to pass them on. :) If my buddy lends me his wrench, then it wouldn't be right for me to then lend it to someone else without his blessing. :)

6,937 posted on 09/21/2007 10:54:18 AM PDT by Forest Keeper (It is a joy to me to know that God had my number, before He created numbers.)
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To: Forest Keeper
Jesus effectively replaced Himself with the Holy Spirit, Who is just as active today in all of our lives as Jesus ever was with those He interacted with back then...In fact, Jesus even implies here that God's influence is even GREATER now since He has returned to Heaven. I would agree.

AMEN! What a profound and comforting truth. Fear has no hold over those who are His.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" -- Romans 8:35

6,942 posted on 09/21/2007 11:15:58 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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