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Funny, I thought ps 119 was about the law. There's either a word like "law" or "commandment" or a figurative synonym like "word" in every verse.

But the nub of the problem, of course, is that while you and I agree, pretty much about "feelings", and hugs and kisses, pretty much, we disagree fundamentally about the place of the Bible in establishing doctrine. We find in the Bible a basis for our opinion, and you do for yours. And if we're going to talk about a "great gulf", that's where I think it is.

To some, the behavior of the Bereans evidently seems like a clear-cut proof of Sola Scriptura. I just don't see it. What I CAN see is that IF one posits Sola Scriptura, THEN one can see the Bereans that way. (and if one doesn't, one doesn't.) And, of course, I think I TOOK a "real, honest", and protracted (more than 22 years) look at Scripture, and became a Catholic.

I don't think the wild accusations I have seen on either side contribute to a process of searching things out any more than fancy type-faces and perseveration, so if you are right about God's plan, I think these behaviors work against it.

To some, the behavior of the Bereans evidently seems like a clear-cut proof of Sola Scriptura. I just don't see it....so if you are right about God's plan, I think these behaviors work against it.

I don't wish to sound preachy but for a while I had part of Ezra 3:13 as my tagline. The text of Ezra is:

Ezr 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezr 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

Most people (and commentators) read this as there were those who could not see what God was doing in peoples' lives. Consequently those who were mourning were focus on things of the past.

I believe this is a misinterpretation. Those ancient fathers who had seen the first temple knew the glory and majesty represented by that first temple. What they saw in front of them in the second temple was a cheap imitation version and they wept. Sure God was working in the people's lives and people were singing songs and having a good time; but the people truly didn't understand the lost they suffered. They didn't remember the glory and majestic of their former temple. The crying of those who did remember could not be heard over the joy, the praising and the giving of thanks. What God had given the people was a diminished version of His glory.

Call me Mr. Sourpuss but there is much truth in this. Christianity has moved on to the second temple. We sing for joy when we should be weeping at what we have lost. We no longer see the beauty and majesty of God's gospel, replacing it with substandard products like pageantry, councils, and bumper stickers. And we're happy.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Sorry friend, frank discussions about the scriptures over the precepts of man do not work against us. They are simply a call reminding people of what we are losing.