DOES THE PROOF JUSTIFY THE PREMISE

[sidgi]

When it comes to biblical based teachings, some held for hundreds of years, does the premise of the thing taught hold up merely because it can be supported by scriptures? There are three that readily come to mind; however there could be many others. The three referred to are the teaching of a certain “faithful and discrete slave”, That the “144,000” mentioned in revelation are a group of men taken from earth to go to heaven to rule over the earth, and that God exists as a “Trinity”. All three of these teachings, or doctrines, rely on the belief of those holding to them to give them impetus.

The bible mentions a “faithful and discrete or wise servant”, but there isn’t any evidence to suggest that the mention is more than a rhetorical mention, once you remove the premise that it is more than that. None of the parables or prophecies, related to the supposed premise, show that such a thing is necessary to their fulfillment. While it has to be admitted that such a thing is possible, it isn’t necessary to the understanding of the principals related to those verses, or the verses used to support it.

The next one, the premise of 144,000 men taken from among mankind to rule as kings over the earth, also is bereft of direct evidence, and relies on the support of the “faithful and discrete slave” premise for validity, and understanding other prophetic statements in the bible as applying in a certain way. While again, admittedly such an understanding is possible, there isn’t any “stand-alone” evidence to suggest that this is the way those illustrative references in the book of Revelation are to be understood.

Last, but not least is the doctrine of the “Trinity”. This one has been argued up and down the pages of history. The very fact that such an argument has taken place, and is still taking place, shows that there is no direct biblical evidence supporting it. It relies on acceptance of the premise, and then many bible verses are used to support that premise. No where does the bible say that such an understanding is required to be saved. No where does the bible say that there are three persons in a “Godhead”. All of the other things believed about a supposed “Trinity” are likewise reliant on the premise, to have any substance.

All of the verses used in support of these teachings can be understood in another way, with no stretch of the imagination necessary. I haven’t used bible verses to support the “premise” of this post, I’ll leave it up to those concerned enough to post in an opposing manner to this "premise", to show why it is in error. I would be grateful if the straw could be removed from my eyes, and I could see these teachings as clearly as their adherents.

sidgi