The left hand path

[evenifigoalone]

How does one go about learning directly from him?

Reading the Bible is considered the main way, but there's more to it than that. Many will tell you that Christianity is about a relationship with God. This is what I think, too.
Christian teaching, the mainstream teaching anyway, is that there are three parts to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Based on scripture, the Holy Spirit is believed to indwell within the believer, a voice of guidance and truth. We believe that He helps us understand scripture and so when we study scripture we are to do so with the Holy Spirit's guidance. He can also speak to us in other ways. Usually it's a very quiet voice, one that's easy to ignore. God has spoken to me through scripture, sometimes through others, sometimes through Christian music (as in, "hey, listen to this, it's true")...sometimes more directly, such as when God brought me back to a full belief in Him after a period of questioning His existence.

People sometimes use that to justify actions, too, ie "God told me to do it". So it's not a good idea to make radical changes in views based on this alone, as the Bible also teaches that spirits exist to lead us astray. We're supposed to back everything up with scripture. If the voice contradicts scripture, it's not God.

I don't feel like I'm explaining this very well....

 

[dispute]

No, I think you are doing very well.

What then can be considered scripture? Everything in the bible or just certain parts?

Also as was stated before, the events of the bible were historically based 2000 years ago or more, and the views and ideas are open to modern day interpretation.

I agree some things in the bible are set in stone such as the seven deadly sins, however much of what is in the bible is fairly open ended and open to people taking different meanings from it. The many different sects of Christianity to give one example.

How do we know which interpretation is the right one?

 

[poetofparables]

Ignore post: clearing saved draft.

 

[evenifigoalone]

No, I think you are doing very well.

What then can be considered scripture? Everything in the bible or just certain parts?

Also as was stated before, the events of the bible were historically based 2000 years ago or more, and the views and ideas are open to modern day interpretation.

I agree some things in the bible are set in stone such as the seven deadly sins, however much of what is in the bible is fairly open ended and open to people taking different meanings from it. The many different sects of Christianity to give one example.

How do we know which interpretation is the right one?

The Bible in it's entirety. However, not everything in there is there for the same reason. History has a very big place in understanding scripture, and context is extremely important.

No disagreement that there are different ways to interpret scripture. Even people in the same denomination or subdenomination have different ideas on parts of scripture. I see this in my own family, and even in the church I attend. (End times beliefs are one example.)
I would say that, ideally, interpretation of scripture should be backed up by the Holy Spirit. And also by other passages of scripture as no doctrine will be present in one verse alone. However, as I said before, many actions are done and movements started under the guise of "the Holy Spirit said so" and it's very easy to cherrypick verses and make it look convincing. Obviously they can't all be right.

 

[dispute]

Thanks for the input questdriven you did a great job of explaining your beliefs.

Far be it from me to question a person for doing what makes them happy.

I hope you keep reading and expanding your beliefs.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Always more to learn and understand, both from God/the Bible and from life.

 

[dispute]

I saw your deviantart page, you're very talented.

 

[WIP]

There have been a few statements made that step on the edge (if not over it) already and I see questdriven has been active and is one of the moderators so I'll leave it in the hands of this forum's moderators but I do want to post this reminder and will ask that the non-Christians posting here to please keep this in mind.

ToS 2.1: This is a Christian site, therefore, any attempt to put down Christianity (or declare that it is false) and the basic tenets of our Faith will be considered a hostile act. Please read: Statement of Faith

ToS 2.2: No active promotion of other Faiths is allowed:

You will not post any messages; links, images or photos that promote a religion or belief other than Biblical and historical Christianity (atheism is considered a "belief" for the purposes of this rule). Discussion of these doctrines are is fine, as long as the beliefs foreign to Christianity (as defined above) are not actively promoted or held in balance with orthodox Christianity. This includes Full Preterism, Universal Reconciliation, Universal Salvation, Serpent seed, Dual Seed or Two-Seedline doctrine where discussion is limited to and only allowed in the 1 on 1 Debate Forum. This is a Christian Forum as the name suggests.

Only scripture from accepted Christian bibles will be allowed to be posted on this board. The New World Translation and Book of Mormon are not considered Christian material on this site. Discussion about other, questionable sources , documents, writings or material is acceptable but will not be permitted to be used as a basis of support within a debate or discussion.

ToS 2.4: No Trolling. Do not make an inflammatory remark just to get a response. Address issues not personalities. Respect where people are in their spiritual walk, and respect all others in general. Respect where others are in their spiritual walk, do not disrupt the flow of discussion or act in a way that affects others negatively including when debating doctrinal issues, in the defense of the Christian faith, and in offering unwelcome spiritual advice.