Traditions are simply the collected beliefs and practices of different Christians over time. The fact that there are so many different traditions (which in some cases reveal some very significant differences), should make us humble. All of us see through a glass darkly. Divine revelation is clear, but we are not. That being said, I think we also need to be careful of another extreme, such as the idea that everyone is flawed except me.
Yes, we all are flawed by our nature as sons of transgression.
Yet, we are not called to remain as such. We are to leave our former paths of error behind and learn and change. Otherwise the path wouln't be called narrow legitimately. And we neither perceive the Christ of God nor any of his appointed ones widening it for error.
But what about all those other believers in all those other traditions? Didn't they believe they were leaving the wide path of error behind while they pursued the narrow way, or is it only you who discovered (and correctly interpreted) Jesus' words? "All we like sheep have gone astray..." (Is 53:6). We go astray in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Thankfully, however, we have a rescuer who bore our iniquities. In short, we're not saved by leaving the paths of error behind, because even Jesus' closest disciples made many errors and foolish mistakes (and in some cases, grave sins). Even our repentance remains imperfect. But our hope is in Christ, who was perfect in our place.
We see it with all: They needed to return in order to receive kingship and priestdom with Him for the coming renewal of mankind. (The churches have thoroughly misrepresented nearly all. Firstly according to Plato, secondly according to pharisaic error, besides Markionism, Manichaism, and finally Cesarean state religion. Just to name a few deviations. Not so many are called and then chosen, too. Which us by no means a surprise. On the contrary, nothing else should be expected. The oneness with God is at stake. That is what Israel was called for (Shəma Yisrael), and obeyed not. Only a remnant, and a minute one it was. And still is. Otherwise the pleroma would have been fulfilled in the day Shimon Kephah called Jerusalem to fulfill the age and the number.
Hans, perhaps it doesn't translate well overseas, but here in the States, calling someone a nerd is a kind of backhanded compliment. It essentially means that a person is studious and informed about the details, etc. So I'm not at all offended by that kind of language, nor do I see it as a kind of veneration. I'm fascinated by countless details throughout the Old and New Testaments, and I'll talk about these things with pretty much anyone who invites me to do so.
Thanks. I can appreciate your assessment. Still, I believe too much enthusiasm often covers a certain insecurity or doubt.
Which is unsurprising. The traditions of the churches are so deeply flawed.
Traditions are simply the collected beliefs and practices of different Christians over time. The fact that there are so many different traditions (which in some cases reveal some very significant differences), should make us humble. All of us see through a glass darkly. Divine revelation is clear, but we are not. That being said, I think we also need to be careful of another extreme, such as the idea that everyone is flawed except me.
Yes, we all are flawed by our nature as sons of transgression.
Yet, we are not called to remain as such. We are to leave our former paths of error behind and learn and change. Otherwise the path wouln't be called narrow legitimately. And we neither perceive the Christ of God nor any of his appointed ones widening it for error.
But what about all those other believers in all those other traditions? Didn't they believe they were leaving the wide path of error behind while they pursued the narrow way, or is it only you who discovered (and correctly interpreted) Jesus' words? "All we like sheep have gone astray..." (Is 53:6). We go astray in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Thankfully, however, we have a rescuer who bore our iniquities. In short, we're not saved by leaving the paths of error behind, because even Jesus' closest disciples made many errors and foolish mistakes (and in some cases, grave sins). Even our repentance remains imperfect. But our hope is in Christ, who was perfect in our place.
We see it with all: They needed to return in order to receive kingship and priestdom with Him for the coming renewal of mankind. (The churches have thoroughly misrepresented nearly all. Firstly according to Plato, secondly according to pharisaic error, besides Markionism, Manichaism, and finally Cesarean state religion. Just to name a few deviations. Not so many are called and then chosen, too. Which us by no means a surprise. On the contrary, nothing else should be expected. The oneness with God is at stake. That is what Israel was called for (Shəma Yisrael), and obeyed not. Only a remnant, and a minute one it was. And still is. Otherwise the pleroma would have been fulfilled in the day Shimon Kephah called Jerusalem to fulfill the age and the number.
Thank you for the chart! I appreciate all you do.
Unfortunately, her hyperbolic all-too-American evangelistic style is somewhat annoying.
She is pushing you to become - as she repeatedly said - a "bible nerd" (which you are not) and now even dares to call you her "resident" one.
I feel you should keep talking to people who have something more to share than slimy veneration.
Hans, perhaps it doesn't translate well overseas, but here in the States, calling someone a nerd is a kind of backhanded compliment. It essentially means that a person is studious and informed about the details, etc. So I'm not at all offended by that kind of language, nor do I see it as a kind of veneration. I'm fascinated by countless details throughout the Old and New Testaments, and I'll talk about these things with pretty much anyone who invites me to do so.