Posted by Ray Kidder on 8/8/2009, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: The Seven Ecumenical Councils"
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Searcher,
Thanks for your reply. This passage from James 1 (NIV) is one that you believe in:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
This wisdom is from God and received by a man of faith. Because it is from God, it must be true; right? You may be thinking of someone going to God's word (the bible) for wisdom, which is a good idea, but this passage goes beyond the scope of what the Bible says. This passage directs Christians to ask for wisdom from God, and does not direct us to limit this wisdom to what the Bible says.
If you think this passage is meant to instruct us in our prayer life such that the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and guidance with our personal problems, I adgree with you. If so, why can't it also pertain to an ecumenical council where leaders in the Church have discussed religious issues with the hope that God will provide them the answers for the formualtion of creeds and other moral statements? From reading your post, I am under the impression that your view of the seven ecumenical councils is that they were attempts by the Church leaders to resolve moral and religious questions.
If you think all such ecumenical councils cannot give new information from God; as though all information is limited to the Bible, then how can God communicate with us as a result of our prayers? In addition, what about these verses from Matthew 7 (NIV):
7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
This passage reminds me of the passage from James 1 (above), for it teaches of the ability to get blessings (and information) from God for those who ask.
If God answers prayers for wisdom and information, what makes you think the Bible alone is the only source of such information?
_____
Also, do you believe it is ok to have a woman pastor?
Ray Kidder
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