Angainor:
Yes, Protestants don’t acknowledge a “who” which says which interpretations are correct or incorrect. Thank you.Testing. If you want to know how I will have certain knowledge that I am not wrong in an interpretation then I can only say that I don’t expect to have certian knowledge in this world. Did somebody promise you certian knowledge?
Angainor,
Please understand that I have a lot of respect for you. You post well and are considerate in your responses. That having been said, I think that this thread does demonstrate that your position defines the reasons for disunity among Christians.
Scripture is clear on the issue of unity. Jesus words in John Chapter 17 are particularly instructive in this regard. The entire chapter is devoted to the issue. Beyond this we have the following words of Paul:
Eph 4:1-5
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord,
one faith, one baptism,
Phi 1:27
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm **in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind ** for the faith of the gospel,
Phi 2:1-2
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete:
be of the same mind, having the same love,
being in full accord and of one mind.
Sola Scriptura and personal interpretation of scripture does not create unity and single mindedness among Christians. Clearly, unity requires a definitive leadership to settle disputes and misunderstandings of scripture and doctrine. Paul speaks of problems in these areas with the following:
Romans 6: 17-18
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart
to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 16: 17-18
I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to
the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.
Ephesians 4: 13-14
…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.
1 Timothy 1: 3
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may
charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
1Timothy 4: 1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
Paul tells both Timothy and Titus to exercise authority in teaching. See 1Tim 4:12-13 and Titus 2:15. Paul himself exercises considerable authority in all his letters and even excommunicates fellow Christians and even names Hymenaeus and Alexander in the process[1 Tim 1:20]. We either acknowledge authority and follow the tradition of teaching and doctrine handed on by the apostles or we allow ourselves to believe as we will according to our own understandings. Scripture does not leave room for diverse doctrines and “factions” The unity called for by Jesus in John 17 can only be achieved through leadership and discipline in teaching.