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To: kosta50
Since the whole Christian system of theology and Scripture is manmade (with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we believe), does that make it any less true?

Muslims could ask the same thing about their theology. One's belief in something doesn't render it either true or false. The veracity or falsity of something is not determined by one's belief either way, no matter how confident or comfortable one may be with it.

If God exists, does our own failures and shortcomings in description of Him, negate Him?

Does a novel prove that the story is true?

My only point being that if our understanding of God has undergone revision, that does not necessarily invalidate that understanding. It is possible that we simply understand God better (not completely, of course not, but better than the fishermen and salesmen 2000 years ago). 'Twas my point. The fact that the Church harmonized Scripture to the extent that it has does not invalidate it. It may mean that it has been nudged towards better description than formerly.

5,934 posted on 12/27/2010 2:31:03 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: MarkBsnr
My only point being that if our understanding of God has undergone revision...

That does not agree with the patristic saying that faith is once delivered and believed everywhere and always.

that does not necessarily invalidate that understanding

It doesn't validate it either. Christianity went from being a Jewish sectarian religion to being an amalgam of a specific flavor of Judaism, Greek Pagan philosophy (Plaotnism, Stoicism, etc.), and Persian (Zoroastrian) dualism. We can say that Christianity gradually (and consensually) evolved, especially in the West, without necessairly being either valid or invalid.

It is possible that we simply understand God better (not completely, of course not, but better than the fishermen and salesmen 2000 years ago).

It's possible, but doesn't seem probable.

The fact that the Church harmonized Scripture to the extent that it has does not invalidate it. It may mean that it has been nudged towards better description than formerly.

Too much deliberate change was required to call it mere harmonization, Mark. That's why I always put "harmonize" in quotes.

As for human understanding of God, how can finite even begin to encompass the infinite? Why, if God is infinite, then the combined understanding of all humanity that ever lived, lives and will live amounts to nothing compared to what God truly is.

6,087 posted on 12/28/2010 5:42:12 PM PST by kosta50 (God is tired of repenting -- Jeremiah 15:6, KJV)
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