[adiaireton8]

I appreciate your post. I wasn't offended by Quix's comment.

I'm not sure why you think it is hard to take me seriously when I talk about a "secret club". I'm not claiming that there really is a secret club. It is just that Pentecostal/charismatic types tend to make everything subjective, including the determination of who is or is not anointed. And as the "computer chip" comment reveals, those who ask how one determines who is anointed are treated as unenlightened uninitiated ones, those who have not yet received the 'gnosis'. The notion implied is, "If you have to ask, you obviously don't have it." That's what makes it seem like a secret club.

One problem with this subjective [gnostic] philosophy is that it fuels religious relativism and pluralism. It eliminates the possibility of Church unity, for it removes ecclesial hiearchy, gives each person the authority to do "what is right in his own eyes", and is in that way part of what foments the proliferation of Christian sects, contrary to Christ's prayer for unity in John 17 and Paul's comments in 1 Cor 1:10-13 and Eph 4:3-5.

-A8

[proud_2_B_texasgal]

And as the "computer chip" comment reveals, those who ask how one determines who is anointed are treated as unenlightened uninitiated ones,..

The analogy was the indescribable hugeness of the mysteries of God, verses our finite ability to try to articulate it.

Please forgive us for having that laugh. It wasn't meant to offend you. Don't allow that offense to take hold.

I'm sure quix's frustration comes from a percieved lack of genuine interest in what we're talking about, it appears you only want to keep it going in circles, while you don't have any interest in seeking God about it. Forgive me if I'm mistaken about that.

I'm done with this conversation too .. (That and I need to get some work done.)

Peace to you, A8

[Quix]

for it removes ecclesial hiearchy
= = =

God was in the habit of REMOVING ecclesial hierarchy throughout Scripture.

[Quix]

for it removes ecclesial hiearchy
= = =

God was in the habit of REMOVING ecclesial hierarchy throughout Scripture.

And He's getting ready to do it wholesale big time before too many more months/years have passed.

[Cvengr]

It might be better to focus on epignosis rather than gnosis, although the gnosis is inbreathed and after made efficacious to our soul and spirit is made useful by our hearts as an outbreathed epignosis.

Gnostics interestingly touched on many truths which would shake up many modern scientific misunderstandings, but they still became heretical in that they left out faith through the Son. I don;t agree with gnosticism, but like many false beliefs, they hinge off of several real truths then slide in deceptive practice.