The Bible Focus

[Woody]

Please excuse me but I have to put up a disclaimer. I would like to have a discussion on a certain topic. However ... I am after opinions of faith. I am not after a theological exchange of arguments with proof texts and the like with Ellen White and the Bible.

I realize that this is hard for some ... but others would welcome this exchange of ideas of faith. Again I must announce if this turns into a discussion between just two people on CA ... then I will leave. But it is my wish. And I am allowed to wish on CA ... that this thread does not turn into the usual fight like we have seen in the past with heated issues.

Also ... I need to say that this may be misunderstood by some. That is the risk I take. Let it be clearly stated that I love and believe in the Bible. I just want to focus on what the focus of the Bible is. And how should we use it today. And what is the end result.

Please folks this topic will take some stretching of the mind. Also I hope it will encourage some "tolerance" for all views that are stated. And like I said ... I do want and am looking for "views" of faith and not "proof" of the faith. If you have to post "proofs" then do so very briefly.

Here goes ...

Let me throw out a few teasers .... Is the Bible for our generation here in 2007. If so, what is it's purpose? We could ask the same about Ellen White. One was written over 2000 years ago and the other was written over 100 years ago. Neither seems very relevant to us in 2007 . I don't speak Greek or Hebrew. And I don't speak or understand Ellen Whiteish from the Victorian age.

Look at all the centuries that didn't have the Bible. How did they manage. Look at the thousands of years that didn't have Ellen White. How did they cope?

I will propose to you that throughout all the generations of this earth ... that there has been one message ... that is the Redeeming Power of Jesus through His sacrifice on the Cross. It was pointed to ... it was predicted and it is now remembered.

This is the center of the Gospel. What else matters ??? Not much. We have been predestined to be saved by the blood of Jesus. It is a done deal. We are saved. We can decide to reject it. But it is done and sealed and delivered to our doorstep.

This to me is central. This is the Gospel. The other is fine for some. We can sit and argue about points of doctrine until we are old and gray ... which I am now starting to get to ... but it will not change the centrality of the Gospel. We will not come to agreement. But it does not matter. All that matters is that I accept the saving power of my Redeemer.

The Bible was written for a specific time period for the fruition of the Gospel and the growth of the Christian church. It was written by the men of that time period to reach ... yes ... the men of that time period.

Now ... an all knowing God could have made it easy to understand for all people for 2,000 years. But HE DIDN'T. He made it clear enough for one message. That Jesus is our Redeemer. That is clear. But the other messages not central to this are not clear. This will be evidenced by joining the thread on the Law in their ongoing disagreements over such issues. There is NO agreement in their discussion. Only confusion.They can't even agree on what the context is. The same can be found in sincere Christians of other denominations. I happen to believe they also are predestined to be saved. Despite our lack of knowledge ... we are saved.

We are not saved by the Word of God. We are saved by Jesus who IS the Word.

Now ... please don't shoot me. I am not ready to throw away the Bible. I hold it dear. I will do my level best to understand and follow it. But, this is a minor issue. The major issue is to accept the simple centrality of the message of salvation. This is all about the blood of Jesus. Through His blood we are predestined to be saved. If only there was more focus on this and less on the disagreements of the doctrines ... we might attract more believers. We might then truly represent the message of our Saviour.

Instead we isolate and alienate ourselves by our rigid focus on doctrines and works. Folks ... the doctrines and works are secondary. They may come for some and not for some. It really is not our focus or concern regarding what others do. We can focus on our personal relationship and where that takes us. But we do not need to promote that with other Christian babes who are not where we are in our Christian walk.

WE are all at different levels of growth. You do not need to promote your level on me. That is God's work. And He will work with me as He sees fit.

Anyway ... I would like to hear opinions on what place the Bible has meaning for you. What is its role in our society of 2007/8 .

What is the central focus of the Bible. How do we apply that to our lives today.

Secondary issue would be what do we do with all the different denominations ... and what do we do with Ellen White ? Is it possible to understand the Bible and EGW considering the language , cultural differences, and time period differences, and simply the context questions in general. Were they written for us or for that specific generation.? IF they were written for us ... how much of it can we understand. The evidence is clear that sincere readers are not all getting the same understanding so ... is it necessary to have agreement? Are all those who believe differently from you .. LOST ?

We could easily share all the Biblical and EGW quotes. But before we start ... let me declare them all a tie. There will be plenty of quotes to prove both sides depending upon which frame of reference you start with. So ... lets just talk.