MEGoody wrote: “The only true interpretation of scripture does not come from self but from the Holy Spirit. (Even scripture says that.)”
Scripture is writing by humans, whether the writers were guided or not by the Holy Spirit. Scripture needs human beings to read, interpret, and apply in new contexts and circumstances. From a Rabbinical standpoint, the scriptures originating in Hebrew can have their meanings changed if a character is out of place — that’s why Torah copyists use a numerical checksum at the end of each line and page before they’re even willing to insert any of the names of God. What then of translations when the King James can’t even get right one of the ten blessings conveyed to Moses, substituting the English word “kill” for the word “murder” which would be closer to the original Hebrew?
In other words, even if “the only true interpretation of scripture does not come from self but from the Holy Spirit” it takes considerable chutzpah for you to set yourself, your clergy, and your sect up as arbiters for the rest of us as who was listening to the Holy Spirit and who wasn’t. Call it hubris, pride, or the sin of the Pharisees — it all comes down to one human being bullying another human being with the statement: I know what God meant and you don’t.
As it happens, I have had direct contact with the Holy Spirit, which I’ve documented in an audiobook which you can read about and hear excerpts from at http://www.IMETGOD.com. Email me a private email address and a promise not to publish the secret link I’m willing to give you and I’ll let you listen to the audiobook, or read a text transcript, for free. My email link is jneil[at]jesulu.com — substitute @ for [at].
I’ll make this offer to anyone emailing me with the request and referring back to this thread on Free Republic.
Neil
Yes, but God breathed. Of course, you may not believe that. If that's the case, then you can't expect those who do believe it to lend any credence to any interpretation you come up with.
In other words, even if “the only true interpretation of scripture does not come from self but from the Holy Spirit” it takes considerable chutzpah for you to set yourself, your clergy, and your sect up as arbiters for the rest of us as who was listening to the Holy Spirit and who wasn’t.
Since you pretty clearly stated that you are doing the interpreting yourself, it doesn't take any 'chutzpah' whatsoever. I'll take listening to the Holy Spirit over listening to you every time. It isn't me who is the 'arbiter' but the Holy Spirit, and he's already shown you are out on a limb with your 'interpretation'.
As it happens, I have had direct contact with the Holy Spirit, which I’ve documented in an audiobook. . .
Interesting then that you've only now bring this up after I point out that scripture tells us that the true interpretation comes from the Holy Spirit. Sorry, but I'd rather spend time studying scripture than listening to your audiobook.