The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Biblically, what does the word "Church" mean?

Methinks it is more than obvious that you are of a similar ilk with carlos123 and Robert, i.e., you "standalone" in regard to being aligned with the great tradition of the Church and its statements of faith as found in the Protestant confessions and catechisms and with its individual "stalwarts". I can't count how many times you sloughed off such men as William Hendriksen, Jonathan Edwards, etc., saying in essence you really don't care what THEY wrote because you have your Bible and the Holy Spirit to teach you.

Secondly, you would be hard-pressed to find in even 1 of my 11315 posts here where I even intimated that anyone should align themselves with me. Perhaps this is just a reaction which flows out of your insistent autonomy which finds associating oneself with any particular group repugnant? When I read the Bible, particular in the NT, I find myriad references to joining a group, becoming a member of a local assembly, people being excommunicated from a group, those who left the Church because they were not of the Church, i.e., those who are of one mind, having been brought to the same faith by the Spirit and those who are of a different mind who are either disciplined or leave. There is great respect in the Church for those who the Spirit has given for teaching. And this respect also exhibits itself in embracing those teachings, aka: the faith. Here's a germane article that you might benefit from: In Defense of Creedalism, by Kenneth Gentry, Jr.

I'm guilty as charged, e.g., entertaining your absolutely bizarre view, totally lacking in any biblical support re: demon angels propogating with human females who gave birth to some hybrid alien race which already existed at the time and who then it is alleged built the pyramids long before the Egyptians came into existence as well as the monolithic structures on Easter Island, et al. And, then asserting that the archaeological records found in Egypt which tell of how the Egyptians built these pyramids are all fabricated, lies, etc. I should have simply avoided that discussion entirely as the text says. I accept the rebuke and appreciate you doing so.

I do NOT think nor believe that God is continually revealing himself. Again, I stand firmly with the CHURCH in its belief that the Canon is closed, that ALL that God has revealed about Himself is found in the closed Canon, the Bible. There is no more "revelation" of God to be found outside of the Scriptures. Any further "insights" into this Word will be in harmony with those truths already revealed which the CHURCH has through the Spirit been teaching and preaching since the days of the Apostles. IF one comes with a "new teaching", which is contrary to what the CHURCH has always believed, then the author of that "new teaching" is under obligation to show where the CHURCH has gone wrong. This is what Luther did, what Calvin did, what all the Reformers and Puritans did...!

I think that sufficiently answers your question about my choice to stand in the past and how my username, Pilgrim, is consistent with it.

Is it possible that entire groups, I'm assuming you are referring to those who wrote the WCF, Belgic, London Baptist, Thirty-nine Articles, Helvetic confessions, etc., were all in error? NO... It is NOT possible that they ALL where in error. To even suggest such is to charge that they all were void of the Spirit's guidance when they were ALL brought to agree on most everything doctrinal. IF that is what you truly think, then again the onus is upon YOU to show where all these hundreds of thousands of pastors, teachers, theologians and laity erred in their hermeneutics. And, then you will have to explain why it is that their lives were exemplary in holiness; far beyond what most of us here would ever claim for themselves. I'm not referring to differences on what kind of carpet or if any should be laid in the foyer, how often the Lord's Supper should be administered, etc. READ the great Confessions and Catechisms and you will see that ALL these different denominational statements of faith are essentially in agreement. This is a true testimony of God's working in the minds and hearts of Christ's disciples. If you choose to stand apart from them and revel in some "new revelation of God" which is contrary to what the Church has always believed, so be it. But you place yourself "outside the camp". As I see it, you have only two choices, 1) prove that which you disagree as being in error, 2) throw out your "new insights" and join the throng and rejoice in being a member of the Church, the "pillar and ground of the truth" (1Tim 3:15).

Important questions we must each answer.