[RobMisek]

How could an exclusively Christian definition of the spirit of truth be a counselor for conflicting religions?

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by RobMisek

How could an exclusively Christian definition of the spirit of truth be a counselor for conflicting religions?

It is the job of the Spirit of Truth is judge the affairs of men! Jesus was very definite about His own separtion from such affairs.

"And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
is not the purpose of the Spirit." Luke 12:13-14

When Jesus had gone then the Spirit of Truth was come to continue what Jesus had started... and it did not include counseling separate religious entities about their differences, not even if both claimed to be Bible believing Christian groups.

The Spirit is followed will lead anyone to God's Truth. Man's religion and denominations (Christian and non-Christian) do not and cannot direct that Spirit although they may try to do so...

[RobMisek]

Then you agree that an exclusively Christian definition of the spirit of truth cannot act as a counselor for men.

Either Jesus was wrong or you are.

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by RobMisek

Then you agree that an exclusively Christian definition of the spirit of truth cannot act as a counselor for men.

Either Jesus was wrong or you are.

The Spirit of Truth will counsel in the things that are important to God, not those that are only important to men.

[RobMisek]

Jesus clearly said that the spirit of truth would be our (man's) counselor in his absence forever.

That clearly means it would be counsel for issues important to us (men). God is merely included in such counsel as he is important to man.

Didn't Jesus provide counsel for issues important to men? Isn't conflict between religions merely another issue? Isn't the deity we worship important to both men and God?

What issues aren't important to God? Why would we need a counselor for issues important to God but not us?

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by RobMisek

Jesus clearly said that the spirit of truth would be our (man's) counselor in his absence forever.

That clearly means it would be counsel for issues important to us (men). God is merely included in such counsel as he is important to man.

Didn't Jesus provide counsel for issues important to men? Isn't conflict between religions merely another issue? Isn't the deity we worship important to both men and God?

What issues aren't important to God? Why would we need a counselor for issues important to God but not us?

The issues that are important to us should be the ones that are important to God, but this is not always the case. Men are naturally selfish. As a result they usually focus on their own best interest rather than the best interest of all men or the best interest of God.

God's interest for man is summed up in what Jesus decribed as two great commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). If something tends to lead a person away from or toward obeying these two commandments then He would be interested.

Some religious beliefs are like the tradition of the Pharisees in the New Testament. Following them at all tends to make the commandments of God of no effect. Yet, some 'Pharisees' today will argue points with one another that have no bearing on those two commandments as if life depended upon it. I won't give you real example of that because other people reading it here might be offended.

A ridiculous example would be: 'should we drink beer only in the vestibule or would it be OK to drink it anywhere in the church buiilding?' [Unfortunately, some of the real examples I would consider to be as bad or worse than that.]

[RobMisek]

So Jesus said those were the two greatest commandments, not the only ones, but the greatest.

When God sent his only son, that was a gift and we honour and love him. When that son said that the spirit of truth would be our counselor in his absence and forever, valuing the truth, seeking and discerning it demonstrates love and honour.

By valuing the truth above all else I treat every neighbor in this world as I would like to be treated. I seek the truth and share it with you because I would like you to reciprocate.

If I excluded someone from access to the spirit of truth because they do not share my spirituality, then I would expect to be excluded from their truth as well. This does not support the greatest commandment and is not how I would like to be treated.