Are all important doctines obvious?

Timmy · #1 03-31-2010, 10:36 AM

Everyone knows that there are passages in the Bible that are pretty hard to understand, or at least to know for sure what the author intended. They often have multiple possible interpretations, and different people prefer different ones, presumably based on which ones make the most sense to them. Are we all in agreement, so far?

Some scriptures cover doctrines that are more important than others. (Still agreed?) E.g., it may not be important to know exactly how/why/when God heals a sick person, but I would think it is crucial to know how one is to avoid an eternity of torment. (At least, if there will be eternities of torment for some people!)

This brings up two questions, actually:

1. Is the Bible perfectly clear, on all of the important doctrines?

2. What are the important doctrines?

OK. Discuss.

Timmy · #2 03-31-2010, 12:25 PM

Discuss!

If you not discuss, me get angry!

Timmy · #3 03-31-2010, 12:38 PM

OK, maybe "obvious" isn't the right term. How about "clear"? It may take some effort, but are all the important doctrines clear, when you study them enough? And/or maybe have the Holy Spirit explain them to you? Or a preacher?

Timmy · #4 03-31-2010, 12:57 PM

Good questions, Timmy!

Jeffrey · #5 03-31-2010, 12:57 PM

Doctrines are teachings. That may help.

The studying is mostly to take us from 21st Century to the 1st Century, understanding what the teachings meant to the 1st Century audience first.

The basic teachings of Jesus are quite clear. Some additional teachings that floated around the church in the 1st Century are not always crystal clear, though we've made progress as a Body to discover them.

jfrog · #6 03-31-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Doctrines are teachings. That may help.

The studying is mostly to take us from 21st Century to the 1st Century, understanding what the teachings meant to the 1st Century audience first.

The basic teachings of Jesus are quite clear. Some additional teachings that floated around the church in the 1st Century are not always crystal clear, though we've made progress as a Body to discover them.

Didn't ya get the memo... we was trying to ignore Timmy to see how long he would post back and forth to himself ...

Timmy · #7 03-31-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfrog

Didn't ya get the memo... we was trying to ignore Timmy to see how long he would post back and forth to himself ...

Timmy · #8 03-31-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Doctrines are teachings. That may help.

The studying is mostly to take us from 21st Century to the 1st Century, understanding what the teachings meant to the 1st Century audience first.

The basic teachings of Jesus are quite clear. Some additional teachings that floated around the church in the 1st Century are not always crystal clear, though we've made progress as a Body to discover them.

Can you give me an example of a quite clear basic teaching of Jesus?

Jeffrey · #9 03-31-2010, 01:11 PM

He is the only way. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me."

jfrog · #10 03-31-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

Can you give me an example of a quite clear basic teaching of Jesus?

Matthew 5:30 "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

Sounds pretty clear to me!!!