Hmmm...perhaps I should eloborate on my "self-application" definition. When I say "self-application", I am saying that: the message contained within the the Bible, as I - myself - read it...pertains as to me. What message anyone else reads pertains to them, and I respect thier point of view, for each is entitled to their interpretation of the bible.
I have a very "basic" interpretation. I see that Christ message is very simple. 1) I believe that he is the Son of God, that he was sent here to die for our sins, for whoever believes this will be "saved". 2) Love God with all your heart,mind, body and soul. 3) Love your neighbor as yourself.
Anything beyond that, to me, is trivial. Regardless of what Paul or Timothy, or anyone before Christ has said or written. I believe that Christ kept the message this simple, as to knowing humanity would twist and exploit this message for it's own selfish needs and wants. Why do I think the message is "that simple"? The criminal who was sentenced to death and was hanging next to him. The criminal didn't know Christ, nor was he "baptized"...but for asking and accepting that Christ was the Son of God, Christ acknowledge that he'd be in "paradise" with him.
I think when Christ said to "spread the good news", was just that...to "spread"...to talk about it. Not impose.
Issues such as the Trinity, or prophecy, all of it...everything that came before and afterwards. Trivial and has no bearing on one's "salvation". I also see that, the only person's "salvation" I should be concerned about, is my own. People are going to walk away with whatever message they interpret the Bible has to say and they are entitled to such interpretation.
I'm in no position in my existence, to deny nor judge anyone elses interpretation of scripture. This has been something that I've struggled with, as per my experience with the WTBTS... where I must maintain my "Libertarian" point of view. They have their interpretation, and who am I to judge to say it's "wrong" or "incorrect"? Since I've "experienced" and lived at one time, early in my life, the WTBTS view...I find that they are intollerant to anyone elses interpretation, they do insert themselves in the equation as being the "only true religion", and the punish those who disagree with them. Sure, it's not violently, but in ways of slander and such. Had I not been involved with the WTBTS in my life, I am confident as to say that I would probablly look at them and say "That's nice, have a good life", and walk away with a measure of respect. But, that's not the situation. Some days, I'm tolerant with JW's as I am with the rest of the world, on others....I'd like to drill them to the wall.
Then there's the whole "pray for your enemies and those who persecute you"....hey, that's a big one with me. I'm a bit like Peter, headstrong and abrasive. Not as loud, but more of a sarcastic laid back kind of way.
I don't deny myself as to accepting a wide variety of people, with various lifestyles and beliefs...I have no problems in having relationships with these people. But, when it comes to JW's and the WTBTS . . .it's where my tolerance ends. I know why, it's because they don't tollerate me, and they have attacked me in personal ways. Yet there has been people and groups who have attacked me in personal ways, and I seek to work on tolerance with them. Take the example with IslandWoman and VioletAni, I said some pretty vicious stuff...but I go back and correct it, and readjust my point of view to be much more tolerant. For some reason, I have a huge task of doing that with JW's and the WTBTS, and not motivated to do so.
Ah well, now I'm going off in to a tangent. Ack.
But there you have it, my "simple" and "personal" view of how I see things.
D8TA
D8TA
