Goose: "We're going ballistic, man!"
http://va3svd.blogspot.com/2005/04/defense-of-christian-intellectualism.html
continuing: http://va3svd.blogspot.com/2005/04/response-to-rick.html
check it.
posted by Chelsie @ 12:42 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Kinda long, eh? I admit, I didn't closely read it all.
.. nevertheless.. and though you can probably guess my thoughts on this...
The priesthood of all believers assumes the Spirit is given to all and that all 'relevant' (whatever that is later deemed - by humans - to be) spiritual knowledge is imparted by it. Additionally, it gives believers the power to independently discern and assert the extent of the Spirit’s prompting in relation to a sermon, holy text, etc. (This belief, though expressly formulated during the Protestant Reformation, was also prevalent in the early Jesus movement.)
However, the ONLY possible consequence of this doctrine, if unswervingly followed, is the disintegration of spiritual unity. All subsequent doctrines about teachers/priests/pastors/councils etc, if they give the authority to mandate interpretation or doctrine, are infringements of the foundational concept of truth being accessible and discernable to all.
By suggesting an inner force or guide which predisposes, leads, or otherwise influences a believer's understanding of Scripture - or any other vehicle of truth transmission -, the ability to judge the veracity of that believer's claims is made impossible, and all interpretation is prey to whimsy under the guise of Spirit-fed truth.
It's a wonderfully democratic idea, but it's self-defeating (unless you're going for a sort of limited relativism in regards to Christian truth).
- me
Oh, and I thought the discussions were damn good.
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