Bible verses

[Acceptance]

Please don't misinterpret the tone of this post, I sincerely want nothing more than to better understand your faith.

For those of you who believe in sola scriptura...what do you do when bible scripture seems to tell us 2 different things? (ex: there are verses to support both salvation through faith and salvation through faith and works) How do you decide what to follow? Does your church tell you...do you decide individually for yourselves...is it an ever changing kind of thing?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
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[II Paradox II]

For those of you who believe in sola scriptura...what do you do when bible scripture seems to tell us 2 different things? (ex: there are verses to support both salvation through faith and salvation through faith and works) How do you decide what to follow? Does your church tell you...do you decide individually for yourselves...is it an ever changing kind of thing?
Normally I'd go through a several step process:

1) Examine how others have dealt with the verse. This would include reference to both ancient and modern scholarship and pastoral works.

2) Try to figure out whether it is an occasion to posit a paradox or apparent contradiction. Some things are good candidates for such treatment (for instance, metaphysical questions dealing with free-will and predestination) and some are not (such as contradictory factual claims dealing with our physical world). Th history of theology is full of times when theologians have done exactly this and in large measure I, at least, tend to follow their lead.

3) As wesleyJohn has pointed out, the quadrilateral approach of reason, scripture, tradition and personal experience works well with questions such as this so that you don't skew off on your own fantasy.

ken

[Crazy Liz]

I would add to that the realization that I have changed my mind about a lot of things as I grow and learn. So whatever conclusion I reach about a controversial or puzzling matter, I try to hold loosely, realizing I may gain a better understanding in the future.

Also, I often hold back from arguing with people who hold the views I have discarded, giving them room to grow, too.

[Svt4Him]

Please don't misinterpret the tone of this post, I sincerely want nothing more than to better understand your faith.

For those of you who believe in sola scriptura...what do you do when bible scripture seems to tell us 2 different things? (ex: there are verses to support both salvation through faith and salvation through faith and works) How do you decide what to follow? Does your church tell you...do you decide individually for yourselves...is it an ever changing kind of thing?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
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I actually read it and try to make sense, see what others say, see what Jewish culture says, see what people preach, and sometimes go to the original language. The best bet though, is I pray first, as I begin. Some things I put on the shelf, but I usually get answers that make sense after a while. But some things, like your faith quote, are done through reading what is written, and who it's written to.

[ej]

I like to remember 2 Cor 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

It gives me a lot to think about :)