There are some who see change as dangerous and heretical just because it is change. What is most interesting is that those who do not want or accept change also feel (but of course) that only THEY have the TRUTH. All other ideas that fall outside of their idea(s), of the Bible, are of course in error. By and large we’ve seen two major forces duke it out over the last 500 years over their view of the Bible. Of course I am speaking of Catholics and Protestants. And let me add- I feel Catholics have erred in finding too little in the Bible, while Protestants have erred in finding too much in it.
I have found that too many people look upon the Bible as a rule book, an ethics manual, or a guide to show one how to pick a spouse. Is not the Old Testament a picture of how the Hebrews saw God operating in their life (valid perceptions or not)? Is not the New Testament the books that the church chose to canonize, representing who Jesus revealed Father God was like?
The Bible is not static!
We, each individual, guided by the Holy Spirit are it’s interpreters!
Much like a judge. He does not make the law, nor enforce the law. He merely interprets the law; however, it is in the “interpretations” over a period of time, that certain “traditions” arise as a result of those interpretations! With the advent of Biblical criticism, archaeological finds, and guidance by an increased spiritual consciousness, we’re coming to new conclusions about many things. And I am sure some conclusions are good (right) and other wrong (bad).
I say that the Bible is sacred to me, as it should be to all Christians. And while I see, comprehend, and understand theological truths and Biblical doctrines, those aren’t the touch-stones” that bring forth life in me.Samuel Taylor Coleridge said it better than I could. This English poet (1772 – 1834), critic, spiritualist, and philosopher) put it this way, “I have found words for my in most thoughts, songs for my joy, utterances for my hidden griefs, and pleadings for my shame and my feebleness.”
And so much more!
Yesterday I said I would put forth three new words that I like better than inspired, inerrant, and infallible. Thoughts have gotten away from me, so let me throw them out to you and then pick up on one each day (if that does happen). While the “Bible is inspired, because it is inspiring“, as William Sanday (1843-1920)put it, I find these three words more relevant as I approach the Bible.
The Bible is a witness, unique, and progressive!
I can easily defend those concepts; and, they are more easily swallowed to the average humanoid, than the “religious 3-I’s“. 
Greetings! You’ve posted a lot of stuff. I spent quite some time searching and reading past posts.
>”We, each individual, guided by the Holy Spirit are it’s interpreters!”
Amen, brother! Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I have interpreted the Bible thusly:
1) Sola Scriptura is unbiblical, as is sola fide. Ditto for Calvin’s TULIP.
2) Christ established one visible Church on earth with Peter as His chief steward. All Christians are members by baptism and subject to its authority from Jesus.
3) Isaiah is right. God’s voice does not return void. The Eucharist IS the actual body and blood of Christ. Transubstantiation, or something very much like it, can and does take place by the power of the Holy Spirit.
4) Confession and annointing the sick are sacraments. Jesus did give some men His authority to forgive sins.
5) Baptism is regenerative and removes all sins. Baptism is also a sign of the second covenant, so infants are to be baptised ASAP.
6) Clergy are to be appointed and sent, not hired by a congregation.
7) Mary was a perpetual virgin, preserved from original sin, and as Queen of Heaven places our petitions before her son per the Old Testament.
9) The Pope is indeed infallible in matters of faith and morals.
10) There is no conflict between evolution and Genesis 1.
The Catholics seem to be right on every essential doctrine
God bless…
Jesus was neither Catholic nor Protestant. He didn’t come to found yet another religion, but to establish the Kingdom- and we are ALL in it regardless of our beliefs or lack of them.
>”Jesus was neither Catholic nor Protestant.”
Correct. Amen, I agree 100%. According to my interpretation of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit, Jesus was Jewish. Circumsized. Ate only kosher foods. Celebrated passover in Jerusalem every year of his childhood. Jesus was the ultimate Jewish boy and perfectly followed all the Jewish laws and traditions.
>”He didn’t come to found yet another religion.”
Correct. Amen. I agree 100%. But, according to my interpretation of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit, Jesus, while not establishing another religion, did establish one visible Church on Earth with Peter as His chief steward. Further guided by the Holy Spirit, I discovered in the ancient Greek text of Acts 9:31 that this one visible Church is the “Ekklesia Kath Olos”.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209:31;&version=69;
>”…but to establish the Kingdom.”
Correct. Amen. I agree 100%. But, according to my interpretation of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit, Jesus’s kingdom was not of this world, but the next. For this world, Jesus establish one visible Church on Earth with Peter as His chief steward.
>”and we are ALL in it regardless of our beliefs or lack of them”
Correct. Amen. I agree 100%. According to my interpretation of the Bible, under the Holy Spirit, the plan of salvation includes all people: Christians, Muslims, atheists, and even you and me. Jesus died for everyone, including Hitler and Genghis Kahn. Once any or all of those people are baptised for the remission of their sins, they are members of Christ’s Church, regardless of their belief or lack of belief.
So you are correct and I am correct. A win-win situation. How marvelous! I am always awed at how the Holy Spirit leads us in Truth.
God bless…