Posted on 07/15/2002 9:48:49 PM PDT by JMJ333
The apostles are the ones who wrote the books and letters. Before they were put together into the bible in the second/third century they were preaching and teaching, and this has relevance because what they taught was that the Trinity is one person with three divine essence. That holds weight with me.
Uninspired speculation is a natural human tendency, yes, which some in later generations will call doctrine, others heresy.
How do you know what was inspired and what wasn't? Many letters, teachings, and books weren't included included. However, the teaching that were promulgated before they put the books and letters together only back up the assertion of what the Trinity is composed of. I'll go back and list the verses again.
You find that out when God sends another apostle to the earth.
There have been plenty of apostles and great theologians since early times. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Bonaventure, Alphonsus Liguori, Theresa of Avila...heck..there are so many I could take up several posts. The literature on this topic is vast and it has always been upheld that there is but one God.
LDS Articles of Faith 8-9 8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
This goes back to the point about the people who put the bible together are the ones who put forth the doctrine of the Trinity as one in three.
The Eastern Orthodox churches may quibble with you just a bit on that. I am not sure you really want to put it quite that way either. After all, the compiler of a volume of English Literature doesn't become the author of the contents.
They can quibble all they want. The eastern church is well known for holding their centuries old grudges. The fact remains it was the Catholics who put the bible together and decided what went where.
What to include in the canon of Scripture is not a proper subject of debate. That is evidence of a lack of authority and inspiration.
I'm rather glad the early Christians devoted time and energy to decide what was proper. They were guided by the Holy Spirit, and that is inspiration enough for me.
When you have inspired apostles and prophets upon the earth, as in the days of Peter, James, and John, and as in our day, the Lord tells them what He wants in the canon of Scripture, and He directs them to lay that before the Church so they can accept it as binding upon them, in matters of faith and doctrine, as the Word of God.
You must be saying that there was no inspired prophets from the time of Christ until Joseph Smith. Too many saints and doctors disprove that notion. And it should bother you that Smith rewrote Christianity, as clearly his vision differs dramatically from the previous 19 centuries.
Thanks for the good discussion.
No kidding....
Defending the faith is always timely:>)
I had forgotten this thread..good bump
This basic believe is what seperates the visible church of Christ from the cults..
At the seminary I attend they keep the Song of Solomon commentaries locked up in the "Professional" room. ;^)
BTTT!
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