For all your copious words, just what are you saying? In a nutshell...
The days of sound bites if there was ever a day ; has long gone .
I prove what I assert by an argument . Not only for you but for anybody who might read it or is interested in the subject .
By argument I do not mean I stand on my 'truth' and you stand on your 'truth' and we get nowhere.
By argument I mean a sequential and unfolding biblical argument that any man can or could follow so that they may reach the same conclusion as I have.
That is a biblical principle and one which Paul used in nearly all his letters but expecially the letter to the Romans and Hebrews.
For his objective was to bring us all to the same place in our thinking as to the truth he was expounding on.
I would be foolish if I thought my argument carried the same weight or was as good as his.
Never the less he said what you see in me do and be ye followers of me as I am of Christ.
So I do not believe in "proof texts" and while one text may indeed state a truth clearly . it does not prove it by the one text but that text must be proved and tried by any or all other texts related to it .
Then it is so 'proved'
My aproach then is simple . If I make a statement I will prove that statement with a biblical argument that will uphold it. If any man is willing to follow that argument they will either come to the same conclusion as I have or if thier is a fault in my 'reasoning' it can be challenged . If at any point the argument is not magreed with or misunderstood we can stop there and work it out till it is resolved .
If for any reason we cannot or a person is unwilling .Then we will at that point part company. For how can two walk togther unless they agree?
I do not then accept assertions at thier face value .
My understanding such as it is ;is laid out for all to see .
That is what I think and believe .
and WHY I do so .
For if I have come to a knowldge of the truth in truth .I arrived at or came to it as I was so led by Him who leads us into all truth . As then I was so led;the way I was so led I then show it i the same way as I was so led to arrive at it .
In Christ
gerald