Posted on 01/23/2010 4:09:32 PM PST by NYer
This is simply not true. Mathematics is a language that describes reality.
An axiom is one of: a self evident truth that requires no proof (ie earth-centric universe), a universally accepted principal or rule (ie bathing and cleanliness in general causes illness), or a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it (no assumption about its validity - indeed many axioms are taken to be untrue, to see what comes from their mathematical consequences). There is nothing about axioms that are proven true. Indeed, in the case of mathematical axioms, there are chosen simply because they are proven false.
Gnosticism can be defined as knowledge from within, without proof or indeed, even evidence.
If you wish to switch definitions to belief, then have at it. There is a monumental difference between the two.
It isn't the PSUCHE alone which provides an area of thinking. The unbeliever can still understand many things in his soul (PSUCHE), but not spiritual things. Spiritual life first comes through the PNEUMA, the human spirit, regenerated by God by exercising faith, a non-meritorious trust in Christ alone.
PNEUMATIKOS is spiritual phenomenon understood. God the Holy Spirit teaches the believer with positive volition, PNEUMATIKOS in the human spirit.
Likewise, a believer out of fellowship with God, will not understand the spiritual life only from the PSUCHE.
GNOSIS is simply knowledge comprehended. GNOSIS is the content of information understood in the mind, the NOUS. When GNOSIS, which is pure from God, i.e. Faith, in the form of Doctrine from God the Holy Spirit's teaching ministry, via the PNEUMATIKOS, it flows into the NOUS in the form of academically understood information or in psychological terms, it might be called receptive comprehension.
In 1Cor 2:14 we see the natural man doesn't receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness(absurd) to him. Neither can he know(GINOSKO) them, because they are discerned by the Spirit (or PNEUMATIKOS investigated).
God the Holy Spirit isn't finished, though, as the GNOSIS by itself is insufficient for good works by the believer.
That GNOSIS is processed by God the Holy Spirit into EPIGNOSIS in the KARDIA or heart of the soul of the believer.
Note the language of 1Cor 8:1. Knowledge(GNOSIS) puffeth up, but charity(AGAPE) edifieth(OIKODOMEO).
Both the believer out of fellowship and the unbeliever can have GNOSIS, but not GNOSIS of PNEUMATIKOS. That only comes in the believer through faith in Christ, while the believer is in fellowship with God the Holy Spirit and by the Grace of God.
Consider Mark 2:6-8 complemented by Luke 5:21-22.
Specifically in Mark 2:8
Mar 2:8 (8) And immediately when Jesus perceived(EPIGINOSKO) in his spirit(PNEUMA, human spirit) that they so reasoned(DIALOGIZOMAI) (they had reasoned from the preceding verses, who can forgive sins but God Himself) within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason(DIALOGIZOMAI) ye these things in your hearts(KARDIA)?
Compare with Luke 5:22
Luk 5:22 (22) But when Jesus perceived(EPIGINOSKO) their thoughtsThis is also an outstanding example of the doctrine of Kenosis, where our Lord Christ Jesus receives PNEUMATIKOS from God the Holy Spirit in his human spirit of the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees, then simply asks them why they are reasoning such things in their hearts.
He then by Grace displays for them that He not only had power over the palsy, but also had power upon earth to forgive sins.
Why do you think spiritual truth also isn't consistent or subject to either objective or logical scrutiny, if that scrutiny is PNEUMATIKOS discerned? 1 Cor 2:14 seems to indicate otherwise.
Magnificent insight through faith in Christ. A well developed heart manifesting victory in testing of His doctrines.
We all were condemned prior to placing faith alone in Christ alone, and now believers can see through faith in Him.
No, it is blatantly the Christian way of life. All believers have equal opportunity to Jeshrun status through faith in Him, by the grace of God and the work of God the Holy Spirit in the believer.
No need to change definitions, merely understanding the meanings of GNOSIS and PISTIS. GNOSIS through PISTIS is provided by PNEUMATIKOS.
Pondered it some more.
I still view it at the expense of silly notions.
. . . which . . . is as I intended.
It has been my experience that when we glorify Christ, even though some incredibly ‘personal’ information might be made available to us by God the Holy Spirit, we remain in faith with Him, and are able to focus our thinking upon Him when expressing ourselves to others.
If some unbelievers or those out of fellowship really knew how incredibly ‘personal’ some of the spiritually provided information made known to believers with such gifts,...really is, they might be extremely surprised.
In some respects, when an out of fellowship believer attends a Bible Study by a pastor, with the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher, it is almost as if they are attending the services naked and not realizing it.
Of course, I am probably no better than the worst of us. (all the more reason to remain in fellowship, keep short accounts, and pray continually.) ;^)
On the other hand, I’ve also discovered on many an occasion, that things which people hide, frequently don’t have to be exposed to fellow believers or unbelievers, in order for His Plan to still function, by believers in fellowship with Him, even when they might be unwittingly ‘played’ by the cosmic worldly system.
Those hidden things, though, need to be confessed to God through faith in Christ after returning to facing Him, for forgiveness and return to fellowship with Him. Most times none of need any such personal information to still perform as He has made us. Thankfully, rewards still await the faithful at the bema seat.
I believe in what the Bible says, you believe there is revealed truth outside the Bible, in men’s traditions
for the first two or three hundred years of christianity there was no ‘BIBLE’ as we know it....what did those people do....The Catholic Church was the ONLY source of Christianity and as far as I’m concerned, still is. You have a book about 1 1/2 inches thick and you expct all the truths in the universe are in there.....the bible itself explains that there are not enough pages in the world to describe what Jesus had done while on earth.....why not accept eye witness testimony, objective interpretations and in reality revalations coming about other than those through identified “prophets” remember, Christ promised His church that He would guide it until the end of time...I would interpret that promise as giving the Catholic church the extraordinary gift of being infallible in matters of faith and morals.......for 1500 years all christians were Catholic and lo and behold, along came Martin luther and a whole lot of new interpretations of what the bible really said......the bible warns of false prophets, I think I’ve found a few!!
Another terrible analogy. What we have is a pot that if faithful is promised full heirship with the son of the potter. That's much different.
Given that we are promised to be heirs and, as was previously stated, are in the image and likeness (less than God, now) of God. How do the two relate?
Is our path to Heaven a theosis?
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. – I Cor 12:3
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: - Romans 1:20
you: Yet those who are deprived of the gift are condemned.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? - Matthew 20:13
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. - James 2:10
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. - Galatians 2:21
It really is that simple.
Thank you for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!
Seriously though, it is unlikely we will affect our correspondent's views. But the Lurkers might find a useful tidbit here and there.
Thank you for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!
And so you see where this axiom "bottoms out": God is Truth. No further analysis is possible at this point. For an axiom, by definition, is not separable into lesser parts, of which it can be said to be "composed." So there's nothing more primitive to find and analyze; i.e., by which to "prove" the axiom. That's why axioms are said to possess the quality of self-evidence, at least in mathematical/logical terms. Evidently axioms — "impredicativities" as he called them — drove Bertrand Russell nutz.... He declared them to be prime examples of "circular reasoning."
Maybe so; but still they are to be found at the very basis of human thought, at all times and places....
Man is not the measure of God.
Thank you so very much for sharing your insights, dearest sister in Christ!
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