All scripture is equally true—I would add in its message—as much as was revealed at the time. The full revelation was gradual, and Gospels shed the light that made full understanding possible.
[face to face] means "as a man speaks with his friend
No, friendship is not in this. We are not friends with God. We are His slaves, remember? His tools. Is your hammer or cordless drill your friend? Do you talk to them "face to face?"
Face-to-face means directly, looking at the other's eyes. It's a direct, even confrontational. But the one thing that is always present in this phrase is that we see the other's face.
The issue was also of seeing God and not living or living. When God appeared as a burning bush did Moses stare at it? It was still God. Did people die when they looked at Jesus' face? Did they not look at the face of God?
There is an awful lot of rationalization involved to make the biblical verses explain themselves, to make them "fit." But, then tha's what the lawyer's are for, right? :)
They were hyper-legalistic with their interpretation of the OT, and Jesus told them (in part) to relax and have some common sense
That's what the Orthodox are telling their Reformed friends too. :)
He is above us all, and no one can comprehend Him close to fully
I have been told by many on this Forum that have the mind of Christ. I owuld imagine that comprehension comes with it. So, then what you are saying is tha we have the mind of nChrist, but not fully. Partially. Ten percent? Thirty? Eight nine?
Did the Jews have the mind of Christ? Did they have 10% of it? Do they now have more? ow much (percet-wise) does one have to have the mind of Christ to comprehend God (and believe correctly, and interpret the scripture correctly) to be saved?
How can you say that we must take everything literally in the Gospels?
I wasn't speaking of parables, FK. There is a lot more to the Gospels than the parables. When He said (paraphrasing) "Don't go to the Gentiles but preach only to the twelve tribes of Israel" that is taken literally. When He said "this is My Body" or when He said "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" all of this is literal.
No, friendship is not in this. We are not friends with God. We are His slaves, remember? His tools. Is your hammer or cordless drill your friend? Do you talk to them "face to face?"
I didn't write the verse, I just reported it accurately. :) The point here is obviously not to establish a "friendship". Instead, it's a simile. Verse 20 in Ex. 33 is clear that no one can "see" God and live. Yet, a few verses earlier we are told that God and Moses spoke "face to face". Is the solution to this dilemma to declare the OT wrong, or is it to interpret the passages so that they are both right? I choose the latter.
The issue was also of seeing God and not living or living. When God appeared as a burning bush did Moses stare at it? It was still God. Did people die when they looked at Jesus' face? Did they not look at the face of God?
Sure, there is obviously some manifestation of God that is not for humans to see while on earth. I don't know how it works, only that it does. This just isn't a big deal. The OT is not defeated with this argument.
There is an awful lot of rationalization involved to make the biblical verses explain themselves, to make them "fit." But, then that's what the lawyer's are for, right? :)
Absolutely. Aren't you glad that Jesus is your lawyer? :)
FK: "He is above us all, and no one can comprehend Him close to fully."
I have been told by many on this Forum that have the mind of Christ. I would imagine that comprehension comes with it. So, then what you are saying is that we have the mind of Christ, but not fully. Partially. Ten percent? Thirty? Eight nine?
I have no idea, and I have no idea where you are going with this reasoning. In theosis do you actually achieve a complete understanding of God, i.e. a Divine understanding?
Did the Jews have the mind of Christ? Did they have 10% of it? Do they now have more? how much (percent-wise) does one have to have the mind of Christ to comprehend God (and believe correctly, and interpret the scripture correctly) to be saved?
Why are you throwing this on me, I didn't bring it up? :) The concept of adopting the mind of Christ is Biblical. I think you would say it is part of the process of theosis and I would say it is part of sanctification. I see no reason to criticize the idea of becoming more like Christ. :) I thought we all agreed on that part.
When He said (paraphrasing) "Don't go to the Gentiles but preach only to the twelve tribes of Israel" that is taken literally.
If true, then aren't you violating your own principle of God's impartiality?