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Natsbeginningquest -> If the bible is written by the people (8/4/2008 11:57:20 PM)

inspired by God then why hasn't anyone written anything inspired by God since the old and new testament?
Thank you



MrFribbles -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 12:04:13 AM)

Because Scripture is complete. There's no need for any other Scripture to be written.
God works in different ways at different times. Ever since the completion of Revelation, the part of God's plan that involved the writing of Scripture was finished.

Or to put it another way - if something is finished, there's no reason to add to it, ya' know?



hellohellohi -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 1:09:17 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

Because Scripture is complete. There's no need for any other Scripture to be written.
God works in different ways at different times. Ever since the completion of Revelation, the part of God's plan that involved the writing of Scripture was finished.

Or to put it another way - if something is finished, there's no reason to add to it, ya' know?



Does it actually say in Scripture that Scripture Gen-Rev is complete? Even if it is sufficient, what would prevent others from writing supplementary-inspired material? Would such be "supplementary" or merely redundant?

You mean, we aren't likely to have another Prophet? Does the Bible say this?

If no other writing is "inspired by God," then what is it inspired by? And why should we read it? Is it inspired out of self-interest? Is it inspired out of mischief? Is all writing a sin?



mvic -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 4:43:34 AM)

Many have been inspired by God and have written since the Old and New Testament.

Any Christian bookshop is full of such writings.



Natsbeginningquest -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 9:49:49 AM)

Why aren't they added in the bible?



EStan -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 10:49:28 AM)

God our Father has been revealed to us who believe in three distinct ways:

Thru the world in which we live

Thru His Son, Jesus Christ

and thru God's Holy Word, the Scriptures.

Everything we need to know about God is there.

Have other writers been inspired by God? Of course. Max Lucado, A.W. Tozer, C.S. Lewis, John Wesley, C.H. Spurgeon...the list goes on and on. But these writers do not reveal anything more about God that we can't already glean from our world, God's Word, and His Son. I hope I'm making sense! [:)]



wayward1 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 11:07:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Natsbeginningquest

inspired by God then why hasn't anyone written anything inspired by God since the old and new testament?
Thank you


I'm very surprised the believers here have failed to make a distinction between being "inspired by belief in God", as is most certainly ALWAYS the case in Christian writing today, and being "directly inspired BY GOD to write" as is thought to have been the case in the Bible. My understanding has always been that the writers of the bible either had it revealed directly to them by God that they should write what they wrote, or that they witnessed GOD himself in action on the earth and wrote about it.

My guess is that with modern media and publishing policies there would be no way for any such writing to be canonized in seclusion before being highly criticized as devoid of evidence. Our global society and news media makes it so nothing in writing can meet criteria sufficient for widespread belief before a contradictory work surfaces.

In fact there is a man in Mexico who does claim to be the second coming of Christ, but you don't see Christians rushing down there to kiss his feet. We now simply dismiss such claims on the correct basis that such a being would quickly be able to command respect by, oh I don't know, turning water into wine or something neat like that.

In other words, since the advent of the printing press, we now get our information out to the rest of the world so fast that anyone claiming divine inspiration in their work would quickly and rightly be thought a fraud.



MrFribbles -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 3:00:14 PM)

quote:

I'm very surprised the believers here have failed to make a distinction between being "inspired by belief in God", as is most certainly ALWAYS the case in Christian writing today, and being "directly inspired BY GOD to write" as is thought to have been the case in the Bible.


You make an excellent point. I think it is important to define "inspired" as it is used in both cases. For instance, a song may be inspired by God, but that doesn't mean it contains infallible truth. A book by, say, C.S. Lewis, may be inspired by God, but that doesn't mean it is a writing that God directly oversaw and preserved the writing, and will continue to preserve it through all of history.
On the flip-side, all of Scripture is inspired in a way that absolutely guarantees that God's absolute, infallible truth is contained herein, and that its truth will be preserved throughout history.


hellohellohi,
quote:

Does it actually say in Scripture that Scripture Gen-Rev is complete?


Not in so many words, but just because something is not explicitly stated in Scripture does not mean it isn't true. For instance, nowhere in Scripture does it say that drug use is sinful - does that make it OK?

quote:

Even if it is sufficient, what would prevent others from writing supplementary-inspired material? Would such be "supplementary" or merely redundant?


If we all had a perfect understanding of Scripture, they'd be merely redundant. But as it is, God gave people brains, and some Christians are better at using their brains when it comes to understanding Scripture. Those people are not inspired or infallible, but since they are Christians, they have the Holy Spirit within them, and so they do have some degree of divine guidance. But, again, we're only human - we can make mistakes. So, yes, there is other supplementary material, but it's not directly inspired by God.

quote:

If no other writing is "inspired by God," then what is it inspired by? And why should we read it? Is it inspired out of self-interest? Is it inspired out of mischief? Is all writing a sin?


I think this has to do with the question of defining "inspired." All Christian theological writings are inspired by God, but not in the same sense that Scripture was.



mvic -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/5/2008 6:21:12 PM)

Check out on Google or Amazon:

I am with you - by John Woolley ISBN 0-950-8840-7-3



hellohellohi -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/6/2008 10:16:46 PM)

quote:

I think this has to do with the question of defining "inspired." All Christian theological writings are inspired by God, but not in the same sense that Scripture was.


I guess this is what I wanted you to say. :)



Carico -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 10:13:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hellohellohi

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

Because Scripture is complete. There's no need for any other Scripture to be written.
God works in different ways at different times. Ever since the completion of Revelation, the part of God's plan that involved the writing of Scripture was finished.

Or to put it another way - if something is finished, there's no reason to add to it, ya' know?



Does it actually say in Scripture that Scripture Gen-Rev is complete? Even if it is sufficient, what would prevent others from writing supplementary-inspired material? Would such be "supplementary" or merely redundant?

You mean, we aren't likely to have another Prophet? Does the Bible say this?

If no other writing is "inspired by God," then what is it inspired by? And why should we read it? Is it inspired out of self-interest? Is it inspired out of mischief? Is all writing a sin?

There are definitely prophets in today's world. But they speak the Word of God in the bible. 1 Corinthians 4:6, "Do not go beyond what is written..."

In other words, God now speaks to us through the Son whose words are recorded in the bible and prophets speak the words in the bible to people who either don't believe the bible or haven't heard or read it. [sm=icon_smile.gif]



hellohellohi -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 11:01:30 AM)

quote:

In other words, God now speaks to us through the Son whose words are recorded in the bible and prophets speak the words in the bible to people who either don't believe the bible or haven't heard or read it.


Yes, but not only do they quote the Bible, but take pains to spell it out for the bad spellers out there, no?

Doesn't the Holy Spirit also have something to do with speaking? :)



LawrenceJCaldwell -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 11:50:55 AM)

Although we all seem to agree that there is no new Scripture, there is a deeper question to consider here. From my upcoming book Christian Mythology:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence. In the end, God will destroy the wicked by speaking them into eternal death and hell. By the sword in His mouth He also works in the lives of believers to sanctify them. These truths we both see and believe by faith as God’s Word in Genesis 1:1-3, Revelation 19:15, 21, and Hebrews 4:12 respectively. Even this Word, wielded by the tongues of mere men produced life and death (see Acts 5:3-5 and Acts 16:30-34 for example).

God indeed says in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” The church today has lost this saltiness and neither hears nor speaks the Word of God as it should. Rather, it has been overcome by the world and made a friend of its shameful language. It is time for the remnant to awake and be filled with the Spirit and speak divinely as we ought to. Stir up your remembrance (Luke 24:8), listen to the witness of the Spirit (John 14:26), and speak the name of Jesus and His Word.

Just look at the overwhelming amount of Scripture that encourages us precisely how and what we should speak. When we put off the sin of the world’s words, God’s Word will roll from our tongues with power and grace.

These verses tell us the source of our words and how we get them. We do not receive new revelation, but we do indeed receive the pure, powerful, and inspired Word of God. If you wonder why your witness is weak, your words are not effective, your language is not pleasing to God (you know what you say under your breath, in your mind, and when no one else is around), it is because you do not have the mind of Christ and your heart is not right with God. Jesus said that out of the heart come evil thoughts. Therefore, keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it come the issues of life. The only life that we should be concerned with and speak about is not our own but the life of the Lord Jesus Christ that He now lives in me (Galatians 2:20). Purpose now to put yourself daily, moment by moment upon the altar of sacrifice and allow God to consume your flesh and rectify your tongue in His holy fire (Romans 12:1-2). Then you will know His will, you will speak His will, you will pray His will. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things to the glory of God. Amen. (Romans 11:36-38)



Carico -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 12:56:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hellohellohi

quote:

In other words, God now speaks to us through the Son whose words are recorded in the bible and prophets speak the words in the bible to people who either don't believe the bible or haven't heard or read it.


Yes, but not only do they quote the Bible, but take pains to spell it out for the bad spellers out there, no?

Doesn't the Holy Spirit also have something to do with speaking? :)

Absolutely. But unfortunately, prophets are treated the worst of all for spelling the Word correctly. They are the outcasts of society, hated, beaten, tortured, mocked and sometimes killed for passing along the Word of God. many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel, unfortunately, they may be right. But I still hold out hope that God has given me a different gift because the gift of prophesy is one of the costliest gifts one can receive. I don't mean to undermine God if that's my gift, but the Spirit is strong and the flesh is definitely weak.

Those who speak God's Word and believe it are prompted to do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. So as Jesus tells us in John 10:28, "The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me that is doing the work." So yes, words from the Holy Spirit are from God and vice-versa. [sm=icon_smile.gif]



cow451 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 1:09:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel,


First, I will go on record as not being one of the people telling you that you are a prophet. You are very earnest and sincere and may have some other gift. With all due respect the way you get treated is not about presenting the gospel, but about how it is presented.



Carico -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 1:21:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel,


First, I will go on record as not being one of the people telling you that you are a prophet. You are very earnest and sincere and may have some other gift. With all due respect the way you get treated is not about presenting the gospel, but about how it is presented.


Jesus was killed for his words. Why do you think that is? [;)] Because he didn't present the gospel correctly? [sm=eek.gif] No. In fact, as Jesus tells us in John 15:19, "if the world hate you, keep in mind that it hated me first." I certainly can't do a better job than Jesus did and he was killed. The servant won't be treated any better than the master.

So as Jesus tells us in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

So if the world likes me and treats me well, I would be a false prophet. John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world the world would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world. For I have chosen you out of the world and that is why the world hates you."

So as Luke 6:23, "Blessed are you when men hate you when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of man..For that is how their fathers treated the prophets."[;)]

So you've got it backwards as worldly wisdom always does. [;)]



cow451 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/7/2008 4:10:23 PM)

[sm=shakinghead.gif]



LawrenceJCaldwell -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/8/2008 7:41:06 AM)

Thank you for the boldness that only the Holy Spirit could impart. Jesus came with a sword and to the world He and His Word are offensive. Even folks who think they are believers perceive the Truth to be offensive. Even when we speak the truth in love, we cannot control its reception. The Sword will do its work according to the mighty hand of God.

I am your fellow prophet and agree with you in accordance with I Corinthians 14.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel,


First, I will go on record as not being one of the people telling you that you are a prophet. You are very earnest and sincere and may have some other gift. With all due respect the way you get treated is not about presenting the gospel, but about how it is presented.


Jesus was killed for his words. Why do you think that is? [;)] Because he didn't present the gospel correctly? [sm=eek.gif] No. In fact, as Jesus tells us in John 15:19, "if the world hate you, keep in mind that it hated me first." I certainly can't do a better job than Jesus did and he was killed. The servant won't be treated any better than the master.

So as Jesus tells us in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

So if the world likes me and treats me well, I would be a false prophet. John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world the world would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world. For I have chosen you out of the world and that is why the world hates you."

So as Luke 6:23, "Blessed are you when men hate you when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of man..For that is how their fathers treated the prophets."[;)]

So you've got it backwards as worldly wisdom always does. [;)]



cow451 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/8/2008 12:51:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell

Thank you for the boldness that only the Holy Spirit could impart. Jesus came with a sword and to the world He and His Word are offensive. Even folks who think they are believers perceive the Truth to be offensive. Even when we speak the truth in love, we cannot control its reception. The Sword will do its work according to the mighty hand of God.

I am your fellow prophet and agree with you in accordance with I Corinthians 14.



Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
I Corinthians 14:36



LawrenceJCaldwell -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/8/2008 1:14:48 PM)

1Co 14:29-32 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell

Thank you for the boldness that only the Holy Spirit could impart. Jesus came with a sword and to the world He and His Word are offensive. Even folks who think they are believers perceive the Truth to be offensive. Even when we speak the truth in love, we cannot control its reception. The Sword will do its work according to the mighty hand of God.

I am your fellow prophet and agree with you in accordance with I Corinthians 14.



Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
I Corinthians 14:36



Carico -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/8/2008 8:36:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell

Thank you for the boldness that only the Holy Spirit could impart. Jesus came with a sword and to the world He and His Word are offensive. Even folks who think they are believers perceive the Truth to be offensive. Even when we speak the truth in love, we cannot control its reception. The Sword will do its work according to the mighty hand of God.

I am your fellow prophet and agree with you in accordance with I Corinthians 14.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel,


First, I will go on record as not being one of the people telling you that you are a prophet. You are very earnest and sincere and may have some other gift. With all due respect the way you get treated is not about presenting the gospel, but about how it is presented.


Jesus was killed for his words. Why do you think that is? [;)] Because he didn't present the gospel correctly? [sm=eek.gif] No. In fact, as Jesus tells us in John 15:19, "if the world hate you, keep in mind that it hated me first." I certainly can't do a better job than Jesus did and he was killed. The servant won't be treated any better than the master.

So as Jesus tells us in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

So if the world likes me and treats me well, I would be a false prophet. John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world the world would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world. For I have chosen you out of the world and that is why the world hates you."

So as Luke 6:23, "Blessed are you when men hate you when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of man..For that is how their fathers treated the prophets."[;)]

So you've got it backwards as worldly wisdom always does. [;)]


Amen!![sm=thumbsup.gif] Many people think that Jesus brought a "hippie" type of love and that all will love those who pass along His word when it's the exact opposite. God's word convicts no matter how one passes it along. And that's why Jesus, who was the most loving being that ever walked the earth, was killed. [&o]



cow451 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/9/2008 11:10:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

quote:

ORIGINAL: LawrenceJCaldwell

Thank you for the boldness that only the Holy Spirit could impart. Jesus came with a sword and to the world He and His Word are offensive. Even folks who think they are believers perceive the Truth to be offensive. Even when we speak the truth in love, we cannot control its reception. The Sword will do its work according to the mighty hand of God.

I am your fellow prophet and agree with you in accordance with I Corinthians 14.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

quote:

ORIGINAL: cow451

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carico

many people have told me that I'm a prophet and judging by the way I'm treated for passing along the gospel,


First, I will go on record as not being one of the people telling you that you are a prophet. You are very earnest and sincere and may have some other gift. With all due respect the way you get treated is not about presenting the gospel, but about how it is presented.


Jesus was killed for his words. Why do you think that is? [;)] Because he didn't present the gospel correctly? [sm=eek.gif] No. In fact, as Jesus tells us in John 15:19, "if the world hate you, keep in mind that it hated me first." I certainly can't do a better job than Jesus did and he was killed. The servant won't be treated any better than the master.

So as Jesus tells us in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

So if the world likes me and treats me well, I would be a false prophet. John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world the world would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world. For I have chosen you out of the world and that is why the world hates you."

So as Luke 6:23, "Blessed are you when men hate you when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of man..For that is how their fathers treated the prophets."[;)]

So you've got it backwards as worldly wisdom always does. [;)]


Amen!![sm=thumbsup.gif] Many people think that Jesus brought a "hippie" type of love and that all will love those who pass along His word when it's the exact opposite. God's word convicts no matter how one passes it along. And that's why Jesus, who was the most loving being that ever walked the earth, was killed. [&o]

When people start comparing themselves favorably to Jesus, it's time to go.



OneJohn410 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/10/2008 12:53:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Natsbeginningquest

inspired by God then why hasn't anyone written anything inspired by God since the old and new testament?
Thank you


Such writings would then be added to the contents of the Bible, and then there could be the book of Nat, for instance. I just want to learn if I'm reading your question right.

Let me go with this example, because you've already got a bunch of thoughts before me on this, including a bunch of people questioning each others answers to you, which was not why you posted.

Okay, you've seen a lot of amazing things, and heard a lot about how God answers prayer, so you sit down and write the book of Nat. It was inspired by your witness to many things you can only explain were interventions of God in the world around you.

So you have the book of Nat now, and you decide to hold it up to a book Paul wrote named Galatians. Paul's writing is to Christians in churches that were started around that area around his first missionary journey to that region. He's writing to defend the message of the gospel, because there's teachings that the Jewish law has to be obeyed for people to be saved.

Paul's got education. He was once Saul, persecuting the church himself. So he knows how to write like a pharisee. He knows what's going on there. He's been there once. There's a likely chance people still think he's a faker because of his past. He wants to see things turned around, remind people of the gospel, and he's got to do so in a way that the false teachers can't easily say the thoughts of the letter are trash. He's also not out to cause anyone to read his writing and it be a reason to not embrace the saving power and grace of Jesus Christ.

So Paul's inspiration is simply not going to be his own- just plop down with a fresh roll of papyrus and start scribbling away. What's happening with the book of Galatians is that God is going to remind Paul of his conversion from his former life, and experiences he's had with the disciples, and what has happened in the recent past, and then to write things in such an order that it leaves the pharisees in the dust. Just look at what subjects Paul covers in that book of your Bible. God takes the best Paul has to offer about that time and place, and helps him organize it to say exactly what God needs it to say.

Galatians is one letter written to the world in one region by one man who gloried in doing God's will. The book of Nat, the best thing you've ever written, prayed about, backed up with as much Scripture as you could include, by a simple guy named Nat who loves God more than anything... it's inspiring to think about, and certainly you were on fire to get it published. It can lead people to salvation through Christ as is revealed in the Scriptures. It could be distributed to a nation that's getting a lot of bad info about God.

If you didn't sit there and God remind you of things and direct you to write it exactly like this, then its just another great book that points to the Scriptures. Your inspiration was good, and from your heart, and from examples in the world, and will likely be treasured by many, but it doesn't add anything to the good news of the Scripture, and it wasn't written through the inspiration of God.

The Bible is often considered to be God-breathed.

There's one other thing. Revelation 22:18-19.

Hope that helps.

OneJohn410



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/11/2008 6:09:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Natsbeginningquest

Why aren't they added in the bible?


Revelation 22:18-19
18) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19) And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.



Theophile2 -> RE: If the bible is written by the people (8/11/2008 7:10:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Natsbeginningquest

Why aren't they added in the bible?


Well, because there are rules that were agreed upon a long time ago. If you want to add something to the Bible, it has to follow these three basic rules:

The general rules to be included in the later canons were:

* It had to be written or sponsored by an apostle.
* It had to have orthodox content.
* It had to be publicly used by a prominent church or a majority of churches

For more see:
http://netministries.org/Bbasics/BBNOrig.htm

Keep asking those questions Nate!

[sm=icon_smile_fish.gif]



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