James 2 tells us faith without works is dead. It also says the poor of this world are rich in faith. Why would the poor be rich in faith? Is it because the poor have to work hard just to live, (works)? Are hard working poor people living by faith? Maybe; the poor generally work at hard labor. But this goes without saying. It is one of those truths we hold to be self evident? Do we really need to use scripture to construct a teaching that says the poor have to work?
The theme of James 2 is indeed a contrast of rich and poor. The haves and the have nots by today's label. My first thought would be that rich people do not have to rely on God being their provider as much as the poor. Therefore the poor need more faith just to get by. But digging deeper, it would be good to have clear understanding of what "Works" really means. To rightly understand God's Word we need to dig deeper. Like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. We need to build upon that solid Rock which is Christ.
�Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life"
I REMEMBER what a wise man said one day concerning rightly dividing the word of Truth. On any given topic gather together a multitude of scriptures and let them reveal the will of God on that particular matter.
Simple principles to follow in rightly dividing the word of Truth:
You must accept the truth all scripture is of God and is the truth, thus scripture will never deny itself or nullify another scripture.
A christian must always believe the word of God as scripture is written, and to believe means to act as if it was true.
Always acknowledge the Holy Spirit in the pursuit of truth, and he will reveal the truth to you, he will never disagree with scripture.
Today what is so often used as justification as truth is the word interpretation, so often you hear I do not agree with your intrepation, and interpretation is usually the traditions of men, opinions and many other examples of unbelief.
A simple topic to use is who is able to be a part of the family of God.
The word of God is very clear on this topic, but you will always find those that want to create their own doctrine and alter or corrupt the word of God.
For whosoever shall call on the name of the lord shall be saved!!
This forum is for open biblical discussions. If you can't discuss things in a mature manner then please refrain from making your rude comments. In addition, especially if you are going to sling scriptures, please sling scriptures that are in proper context. The Jews asked for sign�s of God�s power as proof of Messianic work. The Greeks sought wisdom to try and control their environment. Neither of those apply to this topic or to me for that matter. I do not need a sign that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, I simply believe that he is. I do not need worldly knowledge to try and control my surroundings, because God is the final authority in all things.
shepherdingking,
You are right, the word is orthotomeo from a compound of Greek 3717 (orthos) and the base of Greek 5114 (tomoteros); to make a straight cut, i.e. (figurative) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message) :- rightly divide. And that is right out of Strongs!
klmartin62,
Are you familiar with logical fallacies when making an argument? Here is an example using your comments with myself as the subject.
Ad hominem argument:
Also called argument against the speaker; an argument against the writer, not against the writer�s argument
Example:
�Of course rapio has an agenda, he uses biblical hermeneutics to help in interpretations of the biblical text.�
The fact that rapio uses �biblical hermeneutics� does not at all imply he has an agenda other than to rightly divide the word of truth.
Here is another:
Argument from authority:
An argument that a claim is valid because the person making the claim is an authority
�According to klmartin62, a world renowned-forum poster, biblical hermeneutics is only used by people with an agenda.�
Even if klmartin62 is a world-renowned forum poster, saying that biblical hermeneutics is only used by people with an agenda is not valid unless you present a valid argument to support it.
Now show where your scriptures were twisted. If you are going to make the argument then please provide the supporting information for your argument. And when I say argument I am not refering to a heated discussion. I am refering to your proposition. And before that too is �twisted� please see #5.
prop�o�si�tion [prop-uh-zish-uh n] �noun
1. the act of offering or suggesting something to be considered, accepted, adopted, or done.
2. a plan or scheme proposed.
3. an offer of terms for a transaction, as in business.
4. a thing, matter, or person considered as something to be dealt with or encountered: Keeping diplomatic channels open is a serious proposition.
5. anything stated or affirmed for discussion or illustration.
PhillipJohn,
Thank you for your post. Concerning interpretation, there will always be the instance when we come to the wrong conclusion on a subject. That will happen to even the best biblical interpreters. Even Ramban corrects Rashi.
@ rapio: I can't help it if you are offended by my post, it was not mean to be offensive. Call it what ever you want, it doesn't change what I think and your response concludes that you are sadly mistaken... Go ahead, justify yourself.
Sorry Rapio, but you are human. As long as that is the case, you will be biased. We all are. We are a product of our own experiences. The fact that you are here speaking of hermeneutics is one example of that.
As for my experience with hermeneutics, I studied it in Bible College and have seen it repeatedly here and other places. It is always by someone trying to prove a point, much as you are doing right now by pretending otherwise.
It is a worldly method to interpret a Spiritual text. It just doesn't work. Did Jesus choose a bunch of scholars to be His disciples? No, He chose common men and was mocked for it. Paul was the only learned Apostle, and God had to intervene for hm to finally understand.
Just the pagan roots to hermeneutics should be enough to give you pause.
Nyanda, I gladly agree with you and the scriptures you gave. Any honest bible student knows in order to understand scripture we have to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us.
1 Corinthians 2:16 �For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
When born again we are given the mind of Christ; we have to fill this new mind with God's truth only from his word because if we don't, it will be filled with denominational, cult or sect doctrine. God's word is His way of speaking to us through His Holy Spirit if we allow Him and our heart's attitude is right before God.
The scripture is not of private interpretation so we can't pick and choose what we want to believe.
2 Peter 1:20 �Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
That means we have to take God at His word literally. And we do that by allowing the Word to teach itself that is why its called the living word. The only tool we need to understand God's word besides a trusting heart are two things. One is asking God for wisdom.
James 1:5 �If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
After we ask him for wisdom then we are instructed to compare scripture with scripture and take in account who is saying what and who the statements are being addressed to. That way we don't take things out of context. This is how so many religions spring up by taking a few verses out of context and making a religions out them. All the new religions in the last hundred years are based upon this principle and religions before this time were based on people breaking away from the Roman Catholic system of religion and throwing out what they didn't like and keeping the rest of Roman's doctrines and ordinances and traditions.
Colossians 2:8 �Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:13 �Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
God makes is so simple, and man's carnal mind makes it so confusing and complicated.
1 Corinthians 14:33 �For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The good thing is, the things of God are so simple yet deep and it takes a life time of allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and we never stop learning the marvels of God.
Most Christians have never been taught how to read and meditate upon the word of the Lord.
A good portion of the Church does not even teach Doctrine today,which is important.
Without doctrine,can a believer be thoroughly equipped unto every good work.
2nd Timothy 3:16-17
If the Body of believers is not being taught how to read and understand the "Word"of the Lord;Are we being negligent to be BAPTIZING/IMMERSING the people into or with the names of the Lord.
Matthew 28:18-20
There are at least 7-10 ways to interpret and understand the Word.
1.Interpret according to the context
2.literal interpretation
3.Spiritually interpret
4.Parables and allegories
5.Hebrew poetry
6.Prophecy
7.Proverbs
8.Types of Christ
9.Symbolism and symbolic interpretation.
10.End times prophecy
To Understand and to interpret the Word of God;
All of this is IMPOSSIBLE without the Holy Spirit
1st Corinthians 2.... The whole chapter.
We have men that call themselves,Senior Pastors,ministers,pastors,Elders,and a slew of other names and titles.
If these men were actually called and gifted of the Lord to be teaching;Then why do they not teach the Sheeple how to read and understand the Word of GOD.
Sometimes we speak about things that we do not understand.
Love builds up,pride puffs up.
A good book on Biblical Interpretaion is;
How to understand your Bible
By: T.Norton Sterett
This man was a Christian in INDIA,this book breaks the Scriptures down according to the rules of language
I do not know a satanic origin for Hermeneutics? Hermeneutics is named after a little guy named Herman with wings on his feet. He was a messenger? I could be wrong.
