Do you deny Paul's words in 1 Corin. 2?
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." -- 1 Corin. 2:12-16"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Do you deny that believers have "the mind of Christ?"
Do you deny Paul is speaking to "brethren," his fellow believers?
Do you deny God alone gives ears to hear and eyes to see and a new heart with which to believe?
Do you deny God has given the Holy Spirit to Christ's sheep in order for them to "know the things that are freely given to us of God?"
Do you also Paul when he tells us...
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." -- Titus 3:5-7"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Kosta, you seem to deny so much of the Bible I have a difficult time believing this is Orthodoxy.
It almost seems as if your answers go beyond even those of Rome which believes the Holy Spirit is only given to the church hierarchy and that God's gift of grace through faith is transmitted by the sacraments of the church.
You seem to challenge even those beliefs by questioning the very foundation of Christian revelation; by doubting the existence of the indwelling Holy Spirit; by denying that it's God who changes hearts and minds; by reading the words of God in black and white and still demanding "proof;" by blithely labeling much of holy Scripture as "gnostic."
We may all question whether or not someone is truly being led by the Holy Spirit, but we've been given pretty substantial guidelines that help us to know if someone is among Christ's sheep or not. Christ Himself told us how to identify them. He said to see if their fruit is good or evil, and part of good fruit is a God-given understanding of His word and will.
So we tests the spirits, and rightly divide the word of God, and study to show ourselves approved.
And in doing so, our good or evil fruit is made known to the world.
It's just not that difficult. Read His words and obey His words, by the will and purpose and good pleasure of God alone for His glory.
So do you believe anyone has the "mind of Christ?" And how do you know that?
The primary and most damaging difference between the Christian theologies is that some are rooted in the “historical-critical method” of reading ancient manuscripts - Biblical ones, in particular – while others, the Spiritual hearing of the words of God.
The "historical-critical method" is much like science's “methodological naturalism." In science, the method accepts that science cannot "measure" God and thus cannot say whether or not He exists; and then proceeds with the assumption that nature is knowable and predictable and therefore, whatever the explanation for a thing is, it will be natural, or material, or physical.
Likewise the “historical-critical method” excludes the power of God on principle in reviewing ancient texts. It is thought to be scholarly and secular - but I assert that it is useless in Spiritual understanding. And, worse, it can be harmful to new Christians.
My testimony is that the words of God are alive – they are not merely text (or language symbols) – and the only way to comprehend them is spiritual per se.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. - I Corinthians 2:14
(b) testing the words of God by the rules of “methodological naturalism” and/or
(c) testing the words of God by man’s rules of logic (e.g. Law of the Excluded Middle, Law of Identity)
Man is not the "measure" of God.
Great points very well put.
This statement is a total misrepresentation of Catholic belief, as usual.
Wonderful reply, Dr. E. Thank you.
Wonderful reply, Dr. E. Thank you.
Wonderful reply, Dr. E. Thank you.
Yes, exactly. Outstanding post, Dr. E.! Holy Spirit is real, and He does indwell us, and He does give us gifts He does not give to those who are not His children.