Apart from my family and twelve grandchildren, the two things I love is studying scripture, which I have been doing for 66 years (note not 666 years) and church history which to me is a fascinating subject. Add to that historical Judaism which is connected to church history.
I have an eight-volume History of the Church written by Phillip Schaff which is considered to be one of the best. If someone says to me this happened or that happened, I go to this series to see if it did and if it did, if it happened the way I was told it happened. Often it doesn't. Hope that doesn't sound too convoluted.
I do admit I do get obsessive about subject matter if it lights up a flame for me and as a result, I will keep studying to gain a perspective from all angles to discover just what is the truth. With a gift of discernment alive and well I can usually sort out the wheat from the chaff.
My discernment is usually based on what I have read; what I have been told; what I have seen; what I have studied; what I have been taught; what I have experienced; and what sounds right in the light of all the information gained. It is nothing for me to spend two years studying a subject and read 50 or so books on the topic.
If I have done this I feel that I know what I am talking about. Not that I want to trumpet my abilities or knowledge but I have noticed those who have committed themselves to understanding the Word of God tend to do the same sort of thing...like they leave no stone unturned.
Without all this study, I am afraid I can offer no more than an opinion. Which might be valid or not as the case may be. Opinion is more susceptible to questioning than rigorous study. When I was at Bible College I only took on my senior lecturer once because he tied me up in knots when I questioned him. He knew his stuff and nothing I could say was going to prove him wrong. Probably due to the fact that he was a converted Jew who knew whatever he taught inside out.
The scriptures say to study to show yourself approved to God. I find that the church today tends to shy away from study. They seem to prefer to feed on snacks that will keep them going for a week until they meet again next Sunday. The last Sunday sermon that I heard was complete rubbish and about as shallow as a babies bath. If I had to survive on that I would be dead in a very short space of time.
Another verse says to give an account of the hope within you. How can you do that if you don't know what it is? I have heard that you will never win anyone over with argument. You will win someone over if you know what you are talking about.
It is a bit like going into a car showroom and telling the salesman that you want to buy a car. "Oh good," he says. "This one is for sale" taking you to a particular vehicle. "Can you tell me something about it?" you ask. "Well, it has four wheels; it seats five; I think it runs on petrol and it has a reverse gear."
"Is it automatic?" you ask. "I am not sure" comes the reply. "Does it have cruise control?" "Possibly." "What about four-wheel drive?" "I will have to find out about that for you."
It might be just the car you want but do you think you are going to buy it from that salesman?
Whether your church encourages you to study or not, I would suggest that you study to show yourself approved to God, not the pastor or the church. That way you will not be caught giving silly answers to serious questions.
I have an eight-volume History of the Church written by Phillip Schaff which is considered to be one of the best. If someone says to me this happened or that happened, I go to this series to see if it did and if it did, if it happened the way I was told it happened. Often it doesn't. Hope that doesn't sound too convoluted.
I do admit I do get obsessive about subject matter if it lights up a flame for me and as a result, I will keep studying to gain a perspective from all angles to discover just what is the truth. With a gift of discernment alive and well I can usually sort out the wheat from the chaff.
My discernment is usually based on what I have read; what I have been told; what I have seen; what I have studied; what I have been taught; what I have experienced; and what sounds right in the light of all the information gained. It is nothing for me to spend two years studying a subject and read 50 or so books on the topic.
If I have done this I feel that I know what I am talking about. Not that I want to trumpet my abilities or knowledge but I have noticed those who have committed themselves to understanding the Word of God tend to do the same sort of thing...like they leave no stone unturned.
Without all this study, I am afraid I can offer no more than an opinion. Which might be valid or not as the case may be. Opinion is more susceptible to questioning than rigorous study. When I was at Bible College I only took on my senior lecturer once because he tied me up in knots when I questioned him. He knew his stuff and nothing I could say was going to prove him wrong. Probably due to the fact that he was a converted Jew who knew whatever he taught inside out.
The scriptures say to study to show yourself approved to God. I find that the church today tends to shy away from study. They seem to prefer to feed on snacks that will keep them going for a week until they meet again next Sunday. The last Sunday sermon that I heard was complete rubbish and about as shallow as a babies bath. If I had to survive on that I would be dead in a very short space of time.
Another verse says to give an account of the hope within you. How can you do that if you don't know what it is? I have heard that you will never win anyone over with argument. You will win someone over if you know what you are talking about.
It is a bit like going into a car showroom and telling the salesman that you want to buy a car. "Oh good," he says. "This one is for sale" taking you to a particular vehicle. "Can you tell me something about it?" you ask. "Well, it has four wheels; it seats five; I think it runs on petrol and it has a reverse gear."
"Is it automatic?" you ask. "I am not sure" comes the reply. "Does it have cruise control?" "Possibly." "What about four-wheel drive?" "I will have to find out about that for you."
It might be just the car you want but do you think you are going to buy it from that salesman?
Whether your church encourages you to study or not, I would suggest that you study to show yourself approved to God, not the pastor or the church. That way you will not be caught giving silly answers to serious questions.
