Character

[elijah23]

Of what value is the opinion of a person who has spent his life studying the Bible, but who has never repented of his sin?

Allow me to answer the question first: I don’t think his opinion is worth very much.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is like one who has book smart, but no personal experience of what the book is teaching.

 

[The Unbeliever]

The persons opinion is valuable if the question is one of facts as to the verbal content of the Bible.

 

[farouk]

Romans 2 says: 'goodness of God bringeth thee to repentance'.

It's not just head knowledge that counts.

 

[Claudya]

Every persons opinion is valuable, depending on the kind of question asked.
There's no human without flaws, nobody can claim to fullfill the scriptures completely. Some study and don't repent, some repent a few of their sins, some repent a lot, sometimes people repent of stuff that ain't even a sin.
Where do you draw the line? We are not supposed to be judgemental.

 

[faeriecat]

You are right, we are not supposed to be judgmental.

However ... When you're not a Christian and you're watching your entire unit full of self-righteous married bible thumpers have affairs with assorted women and you know full well that one of the commandments is "Do not commit adultery" it causes those not saved to go "heh yeah whatev".

People notice these things.

 

[farouk]

You are right, we are not supposed to be judgmental.

However ... When you're not a Christian and you're watching your entire unit full of self-righteous married bible thumpers have affairs with assorted women and you know full well that one of the commandments is "Do not commit adultery" it causes those not saved to go "heh yeah whatev".

People notice these things.

faeriecat:

Well, exactly.

It's been said that you and I may be the only Bible that some people ever see...

 

[By Grace]

Of what value is the opinion of a person who has spent his life studying the Bible, but who has never repented of his sin?

Allow me to answer the question first: I don’t think his opinion is worth very much.

I do not believe that is possible for a believer to do that way.

 

[BornAgain]

Of what value is the opinion of a person who has spent his life studying the Bible, but who has never repented of his sin?

Allow me to answer the question first: I don’t think his opinion is worth very much.

I do not put too much value in a person's "opinion." A person can be book smart all day long and it does not make them a follower of the gospel. If they believe in the gospel then they would repent of their sins.

Mark 1:15 KJV

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The kingdom of God promised by the prophets and expected by the people, has drawn near. Luke 10:9. The doctrine of faith and repentance is taught at the threshold of the kingdom of Christ, and accordingly in a special manner, to be preached and insisted upon by all proclaimers of the gospel.

Marl 6:12 (KJV)
¹²And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

All men. Acts 17:20. This also includes women for the reason they are included in this free salvation. Acts 8:12. Repentance is a thing for man to do, not something he gets. It is a command, not a promise. We obey commands and enjoy promises when received. We are commanded to repent. The command can and must be obeyed. It is something man does for himself and not something God does for him. God now "commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent." Acts 17:30.

You can study all you want but actions and works is what it takes to be a follower of Christ.

 

[Claudya]

I do not put too much value in a person's "opinion." A person can be book smart all day long and it does not make them a follower of the gospel. If they believe in the gospel then they would repent of their sins.

But a book smart person could tell you exactly what to do. They could answer your book questions and tell you what different denominations or styles of christian faith would advise you to do.
So the intellectual help of such people can be great! My ex-boyfriend is like that, he is a student social sciences who has a great interest in religious ideas, he knows a great deal about the teachings of the Bible, he just never believed in God, so he never went through anything that we would consider "repentance" (though he always tries to be a good person). He helped and encouraged me greatly on my way with God when I became a believer.
So I still think we can't judge the character of such "unrepenting" book smart people. And their opinion can be helpfull. Opinions are somewhat cognitive things, and knowing the scriptures provides the information input necessary for cognition. So why shouldn't they be capable of a usefull opinion?

 

[BornAgain]

But a book smart person could tell you exactly what to do. They could answer your book questions and tell you what different denominations or styles of christian faith would advise you to do.
So the intellectual help of such people can be great! My ex-boyfriend is like that, he is a student social sciences who has a great interest in religious ideas, he knows a great deal about the teachings of the Bible, he just never believed in God, so he never went through anything that we would consider "repentance" (though he always tries to be a good person). He helped and encouraged me greatly on my way with God when I became a believer.
So I still think we can't judge the character of such "unrepenting" book smart people. And their opinion can be helpfull. Opinions are somewhat cognitive things, and knowing the scriptures provides the information input necessary for cognition. So why shouldn't they be capable of a usefull opinion?

When it comes to the Bible, any body that cannot practice what they preach or live by, I would not honor their opinion.

Scholars and teachers are the reason for the division in the church because of their ideas and "opinions."

 

[By Grace]

Originally Posted by elijah23
Of what value is the opinion of a person who has spent his life studying the Bible, but who has never repented of his sin?

Allow me to answer the question first: I don’t think his opinion is worth very much.

What exactly is the sin that you are objecting to?

How do you know that the person has not repented?

Until you can supply specifics to answer those questions, all you will get from others is guesses, and inaccurate advice.

 

[By Grace]

Well said By Grace. That is exactly what I was getting to but elijah23 didn't respond so as to give me the chance. I suppose they won't respond to you either.

That is how someone who is a troll, or a poser would operate.

The game is called "Let's you and him fight" and by being ambiguous, you can sit back, and get yourself happy by watching others fight over something inane. Perhaps a moderator needs to keep tabs to see that the poster is legitimate, and not stirring up dust.