A Reforming Belief

Through the reformation it was interesting to see how many variables existed within debatable texts of Bible scripture.  It seems to me that when something was unclear people would simply insert their own opinions including that of the Pope.  This of course was quite dangerous due to the legitimacy of the Pope and how many people his views effected.  Even though there were quite a few disagreements there still was consistency in the text itself.  The Bible can be vague on certain pieces of scripture, however, that was most likely the intent.  For example when it is said render to Caesar that which is Caesars and to the Lord that which is the Lords.  This was referring to the question of taxes, and the validity of taxes.  Jesus did not state on all issues what is Caesars (government) and on all issues what is the Lord's so there is some variance in opinion.  One of the key points I derived from this section was the importance of the reformation and how crucial it has been even in our day that each person is able to read the Bible for themselves.  There is not an overruling power dominating the way scripture must be read, after all if that was only left up to the Pope some of the truth of the text would not arise.  The value and beauty of the Bible from a literacy stand point is how problems of text inevitably arise, but by talking about it the text comes to life just as much as it did to the first church.