Is God a Mormon?

[_Bazooka]

Not at all. Fundamentalists support Liberty University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Biblical University ---- among many others. We are united in Jesus Christ (out Prophet, Priest, and King) and not by human authority. The Bible is our authority and nothing contrary.

But who decides how to interpret The Bible to decipher what Jesus wants/expects?

[_LittleNipper]

Not at all. Fundamentalists support Liberty University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Biblical University ---- among many others. We are united in Jesus Christ (our Prophet, Priest, and King) and not by human authority. The Bible is our authority and nothing contrary.

But who decides how to interpret The Bible to decipher what Jesus wants/expects?

That is between the Saved individual and the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible is the standard to which all interpretation must be held accountable.

[_Bazooka]

That is between the Saved individual and the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible is the standard to which all interpretation must be held accountable.

And here's the problem.
You will get different interpretations from each individual. The Bible is not a clearly written instruction manual that is explicit in its guidance. In fact, The Bible can be used to justify all sorts of behaviours depending on how one interprets what it is written in it. As for the Holy Spirit, what do you determine is the Holy Spirit?

[_subgenius]

That is between the Saved individual and the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible is the standard to which all interpretation must be held accountable.

And here's the problem.
You will get different interpretations from each individual. The Bible is not a clearly written instruction manual that is explicit in its guidance. In fact, The Bible can be used to justify all sorts of behaviours depending on how one interprets what it is written in it. As for the Holy Spirit, what do you determine is the Holy Spirit?

I disagree...the Bible is fairly clear...definitely more clear than not. This is made apparent by the majority of people having an actual clear understanding of its guidance. Yes, there is some minor disagreements with regards to nuances, but all in all most people agree on its content.
Yes, some individuals "justify" their exceptions from the rule, but again, the majority recognize that instance...you are trying to throw the baby out with the bathwater. To assume that the Bible is perfect as it is read and understood by mankind is naïve, but provides good support for continuing revelation....God may be static but mankind is not....try not to make that which is perfect the enemy of that which is good.

[_Albion]

Subgenious says: "I disagree...the Bible is fairly clear...definitely more clear than not. This is made apparent by the majority of people having an actual clear understanding of its guidance. Yes, there is some minor disagreements with regard to nuance, but all in all most people agree on its content."

I find this an interesting statement coming from an avowed supporter of Mormon theology which so clearly falls outside the parameters of what you are saying here and is clearly outside what might be termed the understanding of a "the majority of people"...even the majority of believers.

[_Bazooka]

I disagree...the Bible is fairly clear...definitely more clear than not.

So is the Bible 'clear', 'fairly clear', or just 'more clear than not'...?

This is made apparent by the majority of people having an actual clear understanding of its guidance.

Care to list who those 'majority' of people are?

Yes, there is some minor disagreements with regards to nuances

Nuances such as, who God is and were Adam & Eve real, did the flood actually happen...etc

but all in all most people agree on its content.

Which is why there is such disparity of core beliefs between religions citing the Bible as their core canon...

To assume that the Bible is perfect as it is read and understood by mankind is naïve

Wait, didn't you say earlier that most people are consistent in the Bibles "definitely more clear than not" content?

but provides good support for continuing revelation....

So, new 'Bibles' that people disagree about...

God may be static but mankind is not....try not to make that which is perfect the enemy of that which is good.

I thought you believed that God was once a man like us and is on the same journey of learning as we are, just at a higher stage. In which case you don't really believe He is static at all, do you...

[_Bazooka]

Subgenious says: "I disagree...the Bible is fairly clear...definitely more clear than not. This is made apparent by the majority of people having an actual clear understanding of its guidance. Yes, there is some minor disagreements with regard to nuance, but all in all most people agree on its content."

I find this an interesting statement coming from an avowed supporter of Mormon theology which so clearly falls outside the parameters of what you are saying here and is clearly outside what might be termed the understanding of a "the majority of people"...even the majority of believers.

Subby is not frightened of throwing Mormonism under the bus in order to defend Mormonism.

(You will notice subgenus has not addressed the question about how one identifies the Holy Spirit....)

[_subgenius]

I disagree...the Bible is fairly clear...definitely more clear than not.

So is the Bible 'clear', 'fairly clear', or just 'more clear than not'...?

the characterization in my post is consistent....perhaps your issue with scriptural clarity is more about literacy than with meaning.

This is made apparent by the majority of people having an actual clear understanding of its guidance.

Care to list who those 'majority' of people are?

not enough room here. But if you are proposing that the most published book in the world (2.5 billion copies) has achieved that status because people are thirsty for confusion then please keep on with that proposal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-printed_books
I appreciate your thesis that a confusing and/or "unclear" text is what merits popularity in the literary world for the past several centuries....please, continue.

Yes, there is some minor disagreements with regards to nuances

Nuances such as, who God is and were Adam & Eve real, did the flood actually happen...etc

The Bible is clear on both of those topics....perhaps you are confused about the maps and color photographs the publisher often inserts in the printing....just so you know - those are not actually part of the scriptures.
That being said....clarify how the Bible is ambiguous, or unclear, about the flood...do the scriptures claim that the flood happened in one chapter and then claim it did not happen in another chapter?
Exactly how are the scriptures "unclear" about the "actually happening" flood?

but all in all most people agree on its content.

Which is why there is such disparity of core beliefs between religions citing the Bible as their core canon...

There is not such a disparity....you are exaggerating....Among those who believe in the scriptures/Bible (Christians) No one is arguing that there were only 3 commandments instead of 10.
Again, ironically, you are unclear on your argument.

To assume that the Bible is perfect as it is read and understood by mankind is naïve

Wait, didn't you say earlier that most people are consistent in the Bibles "definitely more clear than not" content?

yes, i did....which is why i stated here the term "perfect"....compare and contrast the two concepts if you like.
"more clear than not" does not equal "perfect".
You seem to be arguing perfection as a means to disregard good....i disagree.

but provides good support for continuing revelation....

So, new 'Bibles' that people disagree about...

somehow your rhetoric here makes sense to you...but i must admit, it is not clear to me.

God may be static but mankind is not....try not to make that which is perfect the enemy of that which is good.

I thought you believed that God was once a man like us and is on the same journey of learning as we are, just at a higher stage. In which case you don't really believe He is static at all, do you...

stay on task, or at least on the subject.

[_Bazooka]

So is the Bible 'clear', 'fairly clear', or just 'more clear than not'...?

the characterization in my post is consistent....perhaps your issue with scriptural clarity is more about literacy than with meaning.

So, which one is it? Clear. Fairly Clear. or More Clear Than Not?

Care to list who those 'majority' of people are?

not enough room here. But if you are proposing that the most published book in the world (2.5 billion copies) has achieved that status because people are thirsty for confusion then please keep on with that proposal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-printed_books
I appreciate your thesis that a confusing and/or "unclear" text is what merits popularity in the literary world for the past several centuries....please, continue.

So because a lot of people have bought the book, you surmise that means they generally agree about the interpretation of the things within it? Really?

Nuances such as, who God is and were Adam & Eve real, did the flood actually happen...etc

The Bible is clear on both of those topics....perhaps you are confused about the maps and color photographs the publisher often inserts in the printing....just so you know - those are not actually part of the scriptures.
That being said....clarify how the Bible is ambiguous, or unclear, about the flood...do the scriptures claim that the flood happened in one chapter and then claim it did not happen in another chapter?
Exactly how are the scriptures "unclear" about the "actually happening" flood?

Does the Bible itself clarify that these tales are 'literal' or merely 'figurative'? If it does, show me where....

Which is why there is such disparity of core beliefs between religions citing the Bible as their core canon...

There is not such a disparity....you are exaggerating....Among those who believe in the scriptures/Bible (Christians) No one is arguing that there were only 3 commandments instead of 10.
Again, ironically, you are unclear on your argument.

How many different versions of the Bible are there? and why?

Wait, didn't you say earlier that most people are consistent in the Bibles "definitely more clear than not" content?

yes, i did....which is why i stated here the term "perfect"....compare and contrast the two concepts if you like.
"more clear than not" does not equal "perfect".
You seem to be arguing perfection as a means to disregard good....i disagree.

I'm confused about what your view of the Bible is. I think you are too.

So, new 'Bibles' that people disagree about...

somehow your rhetoric here makes sense to you...but i must admit, it is not clear to me.

If most people are clear and agree on the interpretation about the Bible, how come less than 1% of the population believes the Bible has been translated incorrectly in places leading to the need for the Book of Mormon?

I thought you believed that God was once a man like us and is on the same journey of learning as we are, just at a higher stage. In which case you don't really believe He is static at all, do you...

stay on task, or at least on the subject.

So do you believe God was once a man and is progressing, or do you believe He is static?

[_LittleNipper]

the characterization in my post is consistent....perhaps your issue with scriptural clarity is more about literacy than with meaning.

So, which one is it? Clear. Fairly Clear. or More Clear Than Not?

Care to list who those 'majority' of people are?

not enough room here. But if you are proposing that the most published book in the world (2.5 billion copies) has achieved that status because people are thirsty for confusion then please keep on with that proposal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-printed_books
I appreciate your thesis that a confusing and/or "unclear" text is what merits popularity in the literary world for the past several centuries....please, continue.

So because a lot of people have bought the book, you surmise that means they generally agree about the interpretation of the things within it? Really?

Nuances such as, who God is and were Adam & Eve real, did the flood actually happen...etc

The Bible is clear on both of those topics....perhaps you are confused about the maps and color photographs the publisher often inserts in the printing....just so you know - those are not actually part of the scriptures.
That being said....clarify how the Bible is ambiguous, or unclear, about the flood...do the scriptures claim that the flood happened in one chapter and then claim it did not happen in another chapter?
Exactly how are the scriptures "unclear" about the "actually happening" flood?

Does the Bible itself clarify that these tales are 'literal' or merely 'figurative'? If it does, show me where....

Which is why there is such disparity of core beliefs between religions citing the Bible as their core canon...

There is not such a disparity....you are exaggerating....Among those who believe in the scriptures/Bible (Christians) No one is arguing that there were only 3 commandments instead of 10.
Again, ironically, you are unclear on your argument.

How many different versions of the Bible are there? and why?

Wait, didn't you say earlier that most people are consistent in the Bibles "definitely more clear than not" content?

yes, i did....which is why i stated here the term "perfect"....compare and contrast the two concepts if you like.
"more clear than not" does not equal "perfect".
You seem to be arguing perfection as a means to disregard good....i disagree.

I'm confused about what your view of the Bible is. I think you are too.

So, new 'Bibles' that people disagree about...

somehow your rhetoric here makes sense to you...but i must admit, it is not clear to me.

If most people are clear and agree on the interpretation about the Bible, how come less than 1% of the population believes the Bible has been translated incorrectly in places leading to the need for the Book of Mormon?

I thought you believed that God was once a man like us and is on the same journey of learning as we are, just at a higher stage. In which case you don't really believe He is static at all, do you...

stay on task, or at least on the subject.

So do you believe God was once a man and is progressing, or do you believe He is static?

The Bible is clear to those seeking clarity. The Bible is evasive to those seeking excuses for themselves and their religious practices...