Scott,
First of all, let me assure you that I do not hammer anyone. I find that rather distasteful myself. I will share my beliefs and opinions with other people but what they do with that is their business. And I do agree that faith, expressing itself in my actions, is much more important that the traditions of my particular denomination. Becoming a child of God is becoming a new person, leaving the old way of life behind. Unfortunately, to many people, becoming a Christian is simply a matter of joining a church and following a little ritual.
I understand the issue of the ‘slippery slope’. I am real cautious of that myself. But I believe God will honor honest questioning and even doubt.
That gives us so much more potential for growth than if we just stay in a warm, comfortable and safe place. I would encourage you to seek out God’s grace and his wisdom. His promise is that he will respond to all who call out to him. I do want you to know that I have begun to pray for you, that God will reward your seeking and help you to know him in a clearer and more personal way.
If 2 Timothy was written by Paul it was just shortly before his death in about A.D. 67. There are many modern scholars who doubt Paul’s authorship but I do not yet have reason to doubt it myself. What constituted the scriptures when Paul wrote this? He may have only considered the Old Testament as scripture, but I suspect otherwise. 2 Peter 3:15-16 equates Paul’s writings as scripture. If 2 Peter was written by Peter it was during Paul’s life time since they died at about the same time. It is possible though that 2 Peter was actually written later. But in either case at least a portion of the New Testament was considered by at least some folks to be scripture pretty early on. At the very least the early church was collecting Paul’s writings and the Gospels pretty early and considered them as authoritative. There are only a few diehards any more that hold out for a dating of any portion of the New Testament outside of the 1st century and, with the exception of John’s writings, and possibly a completion date as early as A.D. 70. The Gospel of Luke was written prior to and by the same author as Acts. Acts ends with Paul in prison but not dead. So both of these would seem to be written by the time Paul would write 2 Timothy. And Mark is considered as a source for Luke so it would be even earlier.
So when was our Bible completed? Hard to say but the writing was probably done by the early to mid 90’s. Canonization did not officially occur until 437 but seems in general usage to have happened some time before that. So to Paul, the scriptures were only a subset of what they are to me. But I believe his message to Timothy still applies to our whole Bible.
Inerrancy simply means ‘Freedom from error or untruths’. And I do believe that that applies to God’s word. But I also believe that some folks are using it as a club to force people into believing a specific dogma. And it elevates them to the level of high priest, able to properly interpret the scriptures for the ignorant masses. I am very much an opponent of that philosophy.
Let me leave you with another passage to mull over. 2 Timothy 2:14-15 says, ‘Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ Note Paul’s admonition to Timothy to not quarrel over words because it has no value and only ruins the listeners. Does that sound familiar? He also instructs Timothy (and us) to correctly handle the word of truth. I believe this word of truth, while probably not synonymous with the scriptures, at least includes it. That is another common problem today. Using the Bible for something that it was not intended for.
Please take the time to read God’s word, especially the New Testament.
Seeks God’s help in understanding it. And be willing to be challenged by what he has to say to you.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Oldman