As I observed with John 14, the standard bearer is not always standard. Different people read different things into it, and sometimes just plain ignore the obvious. Given the virus versions of the Bible and different theologies, even among Protestants (trinitarians, unitarians, etc.) the Bible cannot be the standard bearer.
I'm not aware of any cases where God deceives
The OT is full of such examples. Just look up "deceiving spirit."
I've never heard of any demons teaching to adhere closely to the Bible, so I think we're ok on that front. :)
I wouldn't be so sure. Given the corruption and variations of biblical texts, the first thing the devil would want to do, I imagine, is make a believer break away from the Church tradition and make him believe various man-made versions of the Bible with nothing else to compare it to.
When satan "quoted" scripture to Jesus in the desert he left out key phrases that changed the meaning completely.
Funny, the same can be said of New Testament authors, who misquote the Old Testament.
Wouldn't ha-satan want first to change the theology and split the Church? Seems like a brutally effective plan. Divide and conquer. It seem the devil is not aiming at disbelief but at creating a parallel and competing belief to make it a more effective and credible opposition.
Creating a nuance rather than a whole new product is much more effective at converting someone to the new idea than a radically different one would.
On core principles (like the resurrection) I agree, but on everything else I don't...with most of the things we talk about around here I think "absolute certainty" is relative.
Okay, but unlike science there are core beliefs that are a "must" in no uncertain terms.
I wouldn't be so sure. Given the corruption and variations of biblical texts, the first thing the devil would want to do, I imagine, is make a believer break away from the Church tradition and make him believe various man-made versions of the Bible with nothing else to compare it to.
I would think that would only be true if tradition was superior to scripture and the Holy Spirit does not lead us. If that was true then I suppose anything could be possible concerning demons.
Wouldn't ha-satan want first to change the theology and split the Church? Seems like a brutally effective plan. Divide and conquer. It seem the devil is not aiming at disbelief but at creating a parallel and competing belief to make it a more effective and credible opposition.
That all sounds possible. But for some reason it does serve God's purpose for there to be many Christians out there with profound theological differences. Perhaps it stirs each of our searches for greater understanding.
Okay, but unlike science there are core beliefs that are a "must" in no uncertain terms.
Absolutely, there must be some parameters that define a Christian or else everyone and no one would be one.