Why Choose the Church over the Bible

Butch5 · Apr 15, 2025

bdavidc said:
The statement you made sounds noble on the surface, but it exposes a dangerous error already creeping in, questioning the clarity and authority of Scripture itself under the guise of “interpretation.” Let me be direct: the Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and it is not up for revision or redefinition based on anyone’s opinion, whether yours, @Butch5’s, or anyone else's. God does not stutter. Psalm 119:160 declares, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” The Word is not some riddle requiring human opinion to validate its meaning, it is God’s eternal truth revealed to man.

Yes, the Bereans were noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily to confirm that what Paul preached aligned with God’s Word (Acts 17:11). But they weren’t judging the Scripture, they were judging the teaching by the Scripture. There is a vast difference. You’re twisting the example of the Bereans to suggest that the Bible is unclear or requires personal reinterpretation. That’s not what they did. They didn’t search the Scriptures to change what was written, they searched to make sure what was being taught matched what God had already said.

Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone, is the standard by which all teachings and opinions must be tested. Not feelings. Not tradition. Not majority opinion. Proverbs 30:5-6 warns, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” So if you’re already questioning or modifying the Word of God based on human reasoning or group consensus, you’ve already started falling into error.

As for me, I will decide what I believe and how I act by the unchanging Word of God, not by your or @Butch5’s attempt to reinterpret it. God's Word doesn’t need your edits. It needs your submission.

Are you really this naive? Do you really believe that your understanding alone constitutes the word of God? Is it even in the realm of possibility that you may misunderstand something?

You, just like everyone else, must interpret the text. The Bible doesn't speak to you. It's doesn't say Jesus said xyz and this is what He meant. You must read and interpret just like everyone else. You're claims that you believe the word of God are based in your INTERPETATION. You only believe the word of God if you correctly understand the text. If you misunderstand the text then what you believe is error and not the word of God. As such it behooves each of us to examine the text closely and to reject that which contradicts the text.

I've pointed out things you believe that contradict the text. You didn't reject those held doctrines. Instead you rejected the text. So, please tell me how it is that you say you believe the word of God when those beliefs contradict what is stated in Scripture.

complete · Apr 16, 2025

bdavidc said:
The statement you made sounds noble on the surface, but it exposes a dangerous error already creeping in, questioning the clarity and authority of Scripture itself under the guise of “interpretation.” Let me be direct: the Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and it is not up for revision or redefinition based on anyone’s opinion, whether yours, @Butch5’s, or anyone else's. God does not stutter. Psalm 119:160 declares, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” The Word is not some riddle requiring human opinion to validate its meaning, it is God’s eternal truth revealed to man.

Hello @bdavidc,

I believe the Bible to be the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), I believe it to be the sum of all revelation. I also believe that it should be rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15), and application made according to it's relevance, taking into consideration to whom it is addressed etc.,

'It will greatly help you to understand scripture if you note - not only what is spoken and written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows.(Myles Coverdale)

bdavidc said:
Yes, the Bereans were noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily to confirm that what Paul preached aligned with God’s Word (Acts 17:11). But they weren’t judging the Scripture, they were judging the teaching by the Scripture. There is a vast difference. You’re twisting the example of the Bereans to suggest that the Bible is unclear or requires personal reinterpretation. That’s not what they did. They didn’t search the Scriptures to change what was written, they searched to make sure what was being taught matched what God had already said.

* I am sorry that you believe that I have twisted the example of the Bereans, for that certainly was not my intention: for I agree that the reason for the Bereans search was for the reason you have given. To make sure that what was being taught matched what was written in the Old Testament Scriptures

bdavidc said:
Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone, is the standard by which all teachings and opinions must be tested. Not feelings. Not tradition. Not majority opinion. Proverbs 30:5-6 warns, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” So if you’re already questioning or modifying the Word of God based on human reasoning or group consensus, you’ve already started falling into error.

* I agree.

bdavidc said:
As for me, I will decide what I believe and how I act by the unchanging Word of God, not by your or @Butch5’s attempt to reinterpret it. God's Word doesn’t need your edits. It needs your submission.

I agree, @bdavid. I pray that I will never be guilty of doing that. May God's perfect will be done in both you and I, for His Name and glory's sake.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Garee · Apr 16, 2025

complete said:
Hello @bdavidc,

It is not the Bible or it's content that @Butch5 questions, but man's interpretation of it. That is a justifiable and honourable thing to do, as is shown in Acts 17, and what is spoken of the Berean's who received the word preached with all readiness of mind, but searched the Scriptures daily to ensure that what was being spoken was indeed so. That is the way to ensure the we do not fall into error.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

What makes you think your understanding is not the same as bdaividc ?

Butch5 · Apr 16, 2025

bdavidc said:
The statement you made sounds noble on the surface, but it exposes a dangerous error already creeping in, questioning the clarity and authority of Scripture itself under the guise of “interpretation.” Let me be direct: the Bible is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and it is not up for revision or redefinition based on anyone’s opinion, whether yours, @Butch5’s, or anyone else's. God does not stutter. Psalm 119:160 declares, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” The Word is not some riddle requiring human opinion to validate its meaning, it is God’s eternal truth revealed to man.

Yes, the Bereans were noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily to confirm that what Paul preached aligned with God’s Word (Acts 17:11). But they weren’t judging the Scripture, they were judging the teaching by the Scripture. There is a vast difference. You’re twisting the example of the Bereans to suggest that the Bible is unclear or requires personal reinterpretation. That’s not what they did. They didn’t search the Scriptures to change what was written, they searched to make sure what was being taught matched what God had already said.

Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone, is the standard by which all teachings and opinions must be tested. Not feelings. Not tradition. Not majority opinion. Proverbs 30:5-6 warns, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” So if you’re already questioning or modifying the Word of God based on human reasoning or group consensus, you’ve already started falling into error.

As for me, I will decide what I believe and how I act by the unchanging Word of God, not by your or @Butch5’s attempt to reinterpret it. God's Word doesn’t need your edits. It needs your submission.

@bdavidc

I'm not trying to be harsh. I'm pointing out that you're being inconsistent. You told me I should study scholars and then when @Rhema mentioned some scholars you rejected them. That leaves me wondering why I should study scholars. You said you believe in God's word. Calvin believed he did. Wesley believed he did. The OSAS believer claims he believes God's word as does the non-OSAS believer. The Pretribulationist believes he's the one who correctly understands God's word, but so does the Post Tribulationist. All of these, like you, believe that they believe God's word. How can two people with opposing views both be believing God's word?

We all think that what we believe is the truth. However, if we're not willing to challenge what we believe we won't grow.

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