Saturday, August 07, 2021

The Foundation Of Faith

 "Indeed, what we taught you about the power, and the return of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  We, ourselves, were eyewitnesses of HIS majesty, when HE received glory and honor from GOD, the FATHER, when, from the magnificent glory, this most extraordinary word came upon HIM: 'This is MY beloved Son, this is MY Chosen One.'  We, ourselves, heard this voice from heaven, when we were with HIM on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets, which you should consider rightly, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:16-19 

(What we taught you... was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  Faith is not based on reasons and theories.  We believe in what the apostles saw and in the prophets' words.  It is true that through the centuries the understanding of the consequences of faith has developed, situating it within the realities of life; there has also been a constant effort to express what faith is in the language of our day.  Nevertheless we continue holding and believing the mystery of CHRIST in the way the apostles believed and understood it.

The last sentence clearly says what we find in Scripture: all that is there was said on behalf of GOD and all is the work of the Holy Spirit.  It does not say that the Holy Spirit dictated the books nor that HE granted revelations to all the authors.  One same Spirit guided all when each author wrote in his own style, and according to the custom of the time, what seemed good to write.  Each author was aware that he was expressing the faith of HIS people, but was not necessarily conscious that he was inspired.  Yet the Spirit arranged  everything so that all the books make one whole that becomes a unique witness needed by humankind in every age.  The Scripture is at the same time the work of the Holy Spirit and human literature in the language of a particular age.)

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