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Date:         Fri, 11 Sep 1992 18:49:51 EDT
From:         Tim King <timk@WORLD.STD.COM>
Subject:      Tradition & Sola Scriptura

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From timk Fri Sep 11 18:48:02 1992
Subject: Tradition & Sola Scriptura
To: listserv@asuacad.bitnet
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 92 18:48:02 EDT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]

Oh well... I'm going to leave this thread now.  I don't think there's
any more information I can get out of the discussion without reading
up some more on church and denominational history.  So let me summarize
my current position on this subject, which I never actually stated before.

I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that as such it
is infallible.  I hold this view because I see the existence of God as a
reasonable alternative to the problems with atheism, and I see God's hand
in biblical history.  Furthermore, Jesus is clearly God's Son, the Messiah,
and He did commission His followers to spread His gospel.  The Old
Testament I see as God's record of time before His Son, and the New
Testament is the record Jesus commissioned after His death and resurrection.

I believe that traditions, whether oral or written, are not necessarily
ungodly, but neither are they necessarily of God.  The Bible is clearly
the record of a tradition, and its accuracy has been proven beyond any
reasonable doubt in my mind.  However, churches, popes, and other leaders
have used deviant practices throughout history in order to maintain
control.  Some of these practices, I know, have become traditions, and
I reject such traditions.

Furthermore, I believe that the Bible is the only reliable and authoritative
source for God's infallible word.  I also find that it has inside all data
that is necessary for one to recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior, accept
Him, and develop growing relationships with Him and with others.  It
contains within its pages any information necessary for one to be saved
from the bondages of human degeneracy and enter into eternal life with
Jesus Christ.  This is the grace which God has given to us, and it is
intimitely described within the pages of God's written word.

Therefore, while traditions may not be dangerous, while they may be even
inspired, I do not find them necessary for salvation or christianity.
Although there are certainly gaps in our historical records concerning
Jesus Christ, there is no reason I see to fill in those gaps.  So,
while I condemn no one for accepting a tradition which is in accordance
with the bible, I do not require myself to necessarily subscribe to it.

-TimK
--
Tim King                  |  Some of us favor logic in making decisions.
24 Myrtle Street          |  Some, emotions.  I, personally, get very    |\
Dedham, MA 02026          |  emotional about faulty logic! :-)           | >
timk@world.std.com        |                                             <>


--
Tim King                  |  Some of us favor logic in making decisions.
24 Myrtle Street          |  Some, emotions.  I, personally, get very    |\
Dedham, MA 02026          |  emotional about faulty logic! :-)           | >
timk@world.std.com        |                                             <>
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