Hi,
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
Thank you for taking time to present your point of view (subjective) on the matter.
Hi George, shouldn’t your starting point be defending your nonsensical original statements?
I accept that you do not understand what I am saying. I cannot agree that this means my statements are nonsensical. You may not understand them but others do. They may or may not like them, but that is not the issue.
Objective truth is like - “if you put your hand on a red hot stove you will get burned!”
That is an objective fact.
Subjective truth is like - “Monet painted the most beautiful painting in the world!”
I agree that we each have a perspective on anything that presents itself in our experience.
Subjective truth is about the subject. It may be true for them, but may not be true for others.
Here we are near the heart of the matter. Each of us has a point of view specific to the presence of Jesus in history. You have a point of view and I have a point of view. So do others here. Sad to say there are persons here, perhaps you are one of them, who insist that there is only one correct interpretation of what the gospels present. These take the living word and present it as dead letters. They objectify (present it as a fact) their personal bias and claim it as mandatory for inclusion in the love of God. I disagree.
My life is enlarged and enriched by the diversity of perspective on the words and deeds of Jesus. Listening to the point of view presented by others, I have opportunity to question my assumptions and remedy any error persisting in my understanding. I have come a long way in my journey of faith. I do not maintain that I have arrived at the goal. That is, I do not say my point of view is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I am quite clear that the spirit is manifest in a variety of forms. I do not mistake any of these forms for the substance of what the spirit makes available. Rather, I take it that our conversations about God are most productive when they are animated by Grace. Grace being that quality of being which is prepared to go a second mile with any other person's perspective. I do not see Grace where persons belittle others with put downs.
For me idolatry is rooted in the breaking of the second commandment. The most obvious case being seen where persons worship the Bible and present it as the living word of God.
This should be enough to move the conversation along. Any further thoughts from your side?
Do you think that your perception of what the gospels present is the only correct interpretation? Do those who guide your understanding insist that you must conform to their interpretation of the gospel, and get others to do so as well?
