So, of course, the Holy Spirit does, in fact, unfold already existing scripture to us, and leads, guides, and comforts us with those same scriptures.
I SaidSo your contention is that the Holy Spirit now only testifies of the Gospel in the past tense? If you are receiving Guidance day by day isn't that new guidance?
U SaidThe gospel message itself won't change ... or be added to.
If you are a Catholic, this change or be added to makes sense.
Do you believe that the Catholic church has never added a new doctrine, and that it has never changed a doctrine that was held before?
(The Nicene Creed, the Assumption of Mary, sale of indulgences and the creation of "Saints" that can be prayed to come to mind)
If you are a protestant, the very nature of your church belies your argument for Protestants "protested" changes in the Catholic church and were created as reformations to the Catholic church
This simplified chart shows what I am talking about, all protestant churches by very definition agree with us that the Catholic church messed up and lost their way. By their very definition, the Gospel at one point needed to be restored, because Man can't reform the church of God.
U SaidThe Holy Spirit helps to understand the gospel which was once given ... and helps us to live consistently as believers in the gospel.
Then why are there so many churches? that you accept as Christian? Again, you are occupying two positions, all these churches which are "Christian" argue and bicker among themselves (I've seen some of the Catholic threads here, and looked at one on Baptists, participated (because I was asked) in one where "Christians" tried to define exactly what it means to be "saved", that was fun to watch. and you want to tell me that because you are all "Christian", and all have the Holy Spirit indwelling you are living consistently as believers. I am a truly amazed that you think that Orthodox Christianity is consistent.
U SaidIt's like learning to use mathematics.
There are many branches of mathematics...
If you stick with Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division and stay away from anything resembling higher mathematics, your assertion might hold a little water, but as soon as you start applying math to the real world, there's a new theory every day. Then we cold talk about Quantum mechanics, String theory, or Nuclear physics...
U SaidMathematics itself doesn't change ... the teacher simply helps you to understand it ... and how to apply it.
So now we just threw all your prior logic out the window, there is the Gospel and it's complete because God knows all, but we mere mortals need to have pieces of it revealed to us. At this point there can be a complete and constant Gospel plan and new revelation to man every day as God reveals what we need to know today (closer to what I believe than what you were just saying...)
Try this: The Gospel does not change, but there are parts that you don't understand.
Let's play with that, and I'm going to use some things I know you will disagree with because I am specifically trying to get your perspective. The Book of Mormon for example has not changed, you just didn't know it was God's word before, God is now introducing you to it.
Are you happy with that?
I didn't think so.
How about this: All the prophecies of Joseph smith about his death, the Civil War and where it would start, the church moving west, God knew about all of that long before the world was created, he just told Joseph and it was new to us.
Happy with that?
That all fits within what you are now saying with your example of math, yet you are sure there can be no such thing as a new (to us) witness for God. You are sure that the Holy Spirit can inspire you every day, but he can't tell me something he has not told you.
The only way that makes sense is if you know everything.
That's why I am confused about how you can say, logically what you just said.
Either the holy spirit does not talk to Man, Or the Holy spirit reveals things that man didn't know before. If the Holy Spirit reveals things man didn't know before, how can you say it won't reveal something you don't know now?
By definition, you are occupying two incompatible positions, the Cognitive dissonance from my perspective is amazing!