By Whose Authority Do You Teach?

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Depleted

Guest
#1
I see lots of people starting threads to teach stuff they deem important. In doing so, they deem themselves as teachers. If I ask them "By whose authority," they will say "By God's authority." But that's not the question I'm asking. Well, it is, but it isn't.

I've known many "teachers" in my life. Most of them cannot teach. That makes them bogus teachers spewing forth a little truth in a sea of junk. When I was gullible, I used to think, "If someone teaches, they must be a teacher." And, because of that, I ended up believing a sea of junk with a little bit of truth mixed in.

I've also known many teachers who were great teachers. Their words I could believe. And, so, I asked them, "By whose authority do you teach?" And, the answer often included, "by God's authority," but it was not the only answer. A story came through that matched every time. It always had to do with a willingness to learn and a deep desire to learn. They would learn from anyone who could give them one phrase of truth. And then they'd ask, "But is it true?" Instead of asking the person, they would put in hours of effort to learn in a multitude of ways. And they would pray -- a lot. Always seeking God's guidance in the learning.

And then they'd check with those they trusted to see if they might have found the truth in it. And the ones trusted would critique it. (Not "criticize." "Critique.") And in doing so, they'd work it out to an agreement. And they would also pray earnestly to gain God's truth.

And the ones trusted would pray for the person. Often for weeks or months, before they came back and said to the person, "You are gifted in teaching." And the one that was said to would pray and research for months, possibly years, to see if that was true, and then come back for more critique.

And they would end up praying and agreeing again. And in that agreeing began the authority. The teacher was always gifted to teach, but the authority was given by learned, honest people seeking God's answer. From there, the student began preparing to teach, by doing the obvious next thing -- studying the subject matter. Either through seminary or self-taught, but that studying took years, and then more studying to prepare one teaching. Always, always praying for God's guidance in that learning and teaching.

THAT is a teacher.

So, I'm asking to those who think CC is their platform to teach, by whose authority do you teach?
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#2

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
#3
I thought the Word says that Holy Spirit is our teacher.

Then in coming together, we discern what we hear. In my view, we should be building together on revelation that's given in our own private time of seeking Him...and listening to His Voice.

But, right now on this platform, it seems to be unrealistic.

I was listening to a message on facebook before coming here. He made a good point. He said not to worry about churches and doctrines, because Jesus is the head of the church, and will sort things out. If someone is teaching false...He will eventually remove them if it's false, and they continue in it.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,176
2,539
113
#4
I don't think anyone who has it in their minds that they are teachers here will come out and say it at least not the ones who teach according to their own views and do so only to either prove themselves right or to make themselves seem lofty. There are a few good teachers on here I have learned much from and I hope one day I can be a teacher as well.
I have always found that a good teacher is not one who is always right or always has all the facts rather a good teacher is one who loves help others to learn and grow and does so not for themselves or even just for the sake of teaching but does so because their hearts love to watch a small bud blossom and grow they delight in seeing others strengthen and grow in their faith.

A teacher who also has the mind of a student is one that I have found to be the best kind, if a teacher can in fact learn from the one they are teaching then they truly are great teachers. This is the kind of teacher if God willing I want to be one day, however as I am sure everyone knows this kind of teacher is rare here in cc.....
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#5
Don't worry or be anxious about anything.

John 10:27My sheep listen to My voice; I knowthem, and they follow Me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

BUT

Rev 13:
10“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; If anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
Is that supposed to be teaching me something?

And, if it is, by whose authority do you teach? :)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#6
I thought the Word says that Holy Spirit is our teacher.

Then in coming together, we discern what we hear. In my view, we should be building together on revelation that's given in our own private time of seeking Him...and listening to His Voice.

But, right now on this platform, it seems to be unrealistic.

I was listening to a message on facebook before coming here. He made a good point. He said not to worry about churches and doctrines, because Jesus is the head of the church, and will sort things out. If someone is teaching false...He will eventually remove them if it's false, and they continue in it.
When I was young, I heard God tell me something. "Be true to yourself."

Sounds like a good word from God, right? Where can that possibly go wrong?

And then I got older, and learned that, according to the Bible, Man's heart is on evil continuously. Do I really want to be true to self, if self is evil continuously?

So, I figured out, that wasn't God giving me something. That was me hearing me.

Question for you: Do you know the difference?

Because Jesus will sort it out? Jesus sorted it out long ago. As Jehovah. Our job is to find out what he said, not to find out what yet-another-teacher said. Not to ignore what the Bible says or what doctrine is or to skip the messy stuff, the hard stuff, the frustrating stuff.

You've got my problem from my youth. You keep thinking every teacher is a good teacher and everything you hear is from the Holy Spirit. It's not.

Do you know the difference?
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#7
I don't think anyone who has it in their minds that they are teachers here will come out and say it at least not the ones who teach according to their own views and do so only to either prove themselves right or to make themselves seem lofty. There are a few good teachers on here I have learned much from and I hope one day I can be a teacher as well.
I have always found that a good teacher is not one who is always right or always has all the facts rather a good teacher is one who loves help others to learn and grow and does so not for themselves or even just for the sake of teaching but does so because their hearts love to watch a small bud blossom and grow they delight in seeing others strengthen and grow in their faith.

A teacher who also has the mind of a student is one that I have found to be the best kind, if a teacher can in fact learn from the one they are teaching then they truly are great teachers. This is the kind of teacher if God willing I want to be one day, however as I am sure everyone knows this kind of teacher is rare here in cc.....
I see the possibility of you becoming a teacher one day. You seem to have the right heart, and the desire to seek out answers enough to learn. The only thing I worry about is who you think are/were good teachers.

But, since I am most definitely not-a-teacher, I've got no idea how one figures out who to trust and who not to trust to guide us.

(Personally, I think God knew all along I am a slow learner, and quite dense, so worked around my life to land me with a hubby who can tell what I can't tell. Oh! And added bonus: he has a built-in compass so when he gets lost his feelings of what way to go are a lot more accurate than mine too. Nothing to do with teaching there. Just the jimmies on top of the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. lol)
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,176
2,539
113
#8
I see the possibility of you becoming a teacher one day. You seem to have the right heart, and the desire to seek out answers enough to learn. The only thing I worry about is who you think are/were good teachers.

But, since I am most definitely not-a-teacher, I've got no idea how one figures out who to trust and who not to trust to guide us.

(Personally, I think God knew all along I am a slow learner, and quite dense, so worked around my life to land me with a hubby who can tell what I can't tell. Oh! And added bonus: he has a built-in compass so when he gets lost his feelings of what way to go are a lot more accurate than mine too. Nothing to do with teaching there. Just the jimmies on top of the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. lol)
Well Lynn believe it or not you are one of the good teachers I learned from you just didn't realize it lol. But as for me learning from teachers in all honesty I have many teachers most just don't realize they are teaching me, Even from being attacked in the bdf I make it a point to learn something from it. If I am being attacked in a debate it's a lesson to be patient and practice responding in a kind and mature manner, if I see myself reaching the point where i get hot headed and my emotions begin to take over I step away from the debate. And even if a post by someone seems dumb or pointless to others if I can still glean something from it to help mature my perspective and my growth then that post was worth something.

Like I said I think a great teacher has the mind of a student I don't think I am quite ready to be a teacher but maybe one day.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#9
Is this the 2nd thread you have started trying to discredit most on CC?

not mouthing...just asking...i seem to remember a similar thread.....
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,763
113
#10
Is this the 2nd thread you have started trying to discredit most on CC?

not mouthing...just asking...i seem to remember a similar thread.....
The Lord was also asked by what authority He spoke as He did. He turned that around on the questioners by asking a question which they refused to answer. Had they answered it correctly, they would have acknowledge the authority of Christ.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#11
One day I decided to pick up the bible and read all of it. Why? For one, our minister kept asking us during sermons if we were reading the bible like God says to, and I felt guilty because I hadn't. I knew a couple verses and main characters, but that's about it. For two, I genuinely wanted to know what this is all about anyways, and why there were so many religions even within Christianity.

As I started learning I started being able to answer questions in class. Then I got to where I could join a conversation. Then online debates- like can we use pizza a soda pop for the Lords Supper. I was able to show scriptures why not. Then in my ministers sermons he kept asking if we were teaching the Word and making disciples of all nations. Many ministers I've listened to ground it into us- study and teach, study and teach, study and teach! I felt like not doing so is not obeying God.

I began to teach Sunday school to all age groups throughout the years. I've taught my children on really deep levels, they felt comfortable even in an adult class as young as seven and answered questions better than most adults there. My daughter has won so many bible knowledge competitions. At ten I could have deep discussions with her while watching bible debates on tv. She spoke like an adult, was very knowledgeable, and people were just stunned by her.

I didn't know about the competitions when my son was the age for them. But he had been secretly taking his bible to school and teaching kids on the playground. I didn't find out about it until I came home from work one day, and there were a couple of kids wanting to be baptised. (I didn't know kids couldn't back then). My son also had to choose a book to put in the school showcase, he was told any book he wanted. He chose the bible, many adults fought him on it, it went to the school board and on the news, but he won his case, the bible was displayed.

So by whose authority? God's- we are not only given authority, we are commanded to as Christians. Some are given to be official teachers, but we are all commanded to study and teach. Not everyone teaches truth- which is why we all must study for ourselves, only considering what others say. We also much change immediately if we misunderstood something but know better now. We are to feed on His Word, and we recognise if something someone says doesn't match, we should feel obligated to show them. The bible says "How will they know unless they're told?" Truth isn't always accepted with open arms, still we must obey God by planting the Seed.

There is nothing more important than your salvation, and the salvation of those who cross your path. Are you going to let them skip merrily to hell on your watch? Not on my watch! If they don't make it to heaven it will not be because of a lack of effort on my part.

"They worship Me in vain, their doctrine is merely human rules." I don't want them to miss out on heaven just cause they were too lazy to notice their worship won't result in salvation.


 
D

Depleted

Guest
#12
Is this the 2nd thread you have started trying to discredit most on CC?

not mouthing...just asking...i seem to remember a similar thread.....
It stems from wanting to ask this question of quite a few people coming here to "teach." I'd ask them straight up, but know the only answer I'd get is "by God's authority." An often used phrase by the learned, the naive, the self-important, and the con man in the church.

I really would like to hear the stories of those who come here to teach. The story of who they think they are does give me an idea of how much I trust them as teachers.

As for discrediting most on CC? Considering "most" is greater than half, I'm a bit amused by that concept.
1. Are most teachers on CC?
2. For those who consider themselves teachers on CC, haven't you yourself come to the conclusion that "most" aren't already?
3. Shouldn't we be discouraging those who teach junk?
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#13
One day I decided to pick up the bible and read all of it. Why? For one, our minister kept asking us during sermons if we were reading the bible like God says to, and I felt guilty because I hadn't. I knew a couple verses and main characters, but that's about it. For two, I genuinely wanted to know what this is all about anyways, and why there were so many religions even within Christianity.

As I started learning I started being able to answer questions in class. Then I got to where I could join a conversation. Then online debates- like can we use pizza a soda pop for the Lords Supper. I was able to show scriptures why not. Then in my ministers sermons he kept asking if we were teaching the Word and making disciples of all nations. Many ministers I've listened to ground it into us- study and teach, study and teach, study and teach! I felt like not doing so is not obeying God.

I began to teach Sunday school to all age groups throughout the years. I've taught my children on really deep levels, they felt comfortable even in an adult class as young as seven and answered questions better than most adults there. My daughter has won so many bible knowledge competitions. At ten I could have deep discussions with her while watching bible debates on tv. She spoke like an adult, was very knowledgeable, and people were just stunned by her.

I didn't know about the competitions when my son was the age for them. But he had been secretly taking his bible to school and teaching kids on the playground. I didn't find out about it until I came home from work one day, and there were a couple of kids wanting to be baptised. (I didn't know kids couldn't back then). My son also had to choose a book to put in the school showcase, he was told any book he wanted. He chose the bible, many adults fought him on it, it went to the school board and on the news, but he won his case, the bible was displayed.

So by whose authority? God's- we are not only given authority, we are commanded to as Christians. Some are given to be official teachers, but we are all commanded to study and teach. Not everyone teaches truth- which is why we all must study for ourselves, only considering what others say. We also much change immediately if we misunderstood something but know better now. We are to feed on His Word, and we recognise if something someone says doesn't match, we should feel obligated to show them. The bible says "How will they know unless they're told?" Truth isn't always accepted with open arms, still we must obey God by planting the Seed.

There is nothing more important than your salvation, and the salvation of those who cross your path. Are you going to let them skip merrily to hell on your watch? Not on my watch! If they don't make it to heaven it will not be because of a lack of effort on my part.

"They worship Me in vain, their doctrine is merely human rules." I don't want them to miss out on heaven just cause they were too lazy to notice their worship won't result in salvation.
This is where you and I are at loggerheads. I believe there is something much more important than salvation, and it isn't about getting a spot in heaven.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#14
It stems from wanting to ask this question of quite a few people coming here to "teach." I'd ask them straight up, but know the only answer I'd get is "by God's authority." An often used phrase by the learned, the naive, the self-important, and the con man in the church.

I really would like to hear the stories of those who come here to teach. The story of who they think they are does give me an idea of how much I trust them as teachers.

As for discrediting most on CC? Considering "most" is greater than half, I'm a bit amused by that concept.
1. Are most teachers on CC?
2. For those who consider themselves teachers on CC, haven't you yourself come to the conclusion that "most" aren't already?
3. Shouldn't we be discouraging those who teach junk?
I hear ya and get your point.....I suppose the question is...When one posts a thread re they in fact thinking in their mind that they are a teacher or are they just sharing a thought they have had....

I agree....I should not have said "most" <---Holy crap...I admitted error HAHA take a pic ;)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#15
I hear ya and get your point.....I suppose the question is...When one posts a thread re they in fact thinking in their mind that they are a teacher or are they just sharing a thought they have had....

I agree....I should not have said "most" <---Holy crap...I admitted error HAHA take a pic ;)
"Preach?" Better word? Some come to preach at us, instead of to us. And even if they preach to us, they tend to think they've picked the right audience out of the gate. i.e. they don't yet even know who we are, once more what we need to be taught.

Thems the dudes/dudettes I'm thinking of.
 

DustyRhodes

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2016
2,117
599
113
#16
I see lots of people starting threads to teach stuff they deem important. In doing so, they deem themselves as teachers. If I ask them "By whose authority," they will say "By God's authority." But that's not the question I'm asking. Well, it is, but it isn't.

I've known many "teachers" in my life. Most of them cannot teach. That makes them bogus teachers spewing forth a little truth in a sea of junk. When I was gullible, I used to think, "If someone teaches, they must be a teacher." And, because of that, I ended up believing a sea of junk with a little bit of truth mixed in.

I've also known many teachers who were great teachers. Their words I could believe. And, so, I asked them, "By whose authority do you teach?" And, the answer often included, "by God's authority," but it was not the only answer. A story came through that matched every time. It always had to do with a willingness to learn and a deep desire to learn. They would learn from anyone who could give them one phrase of truth. And then they'd ask, "But is it true?" Instead of asking the person, they would put in hours of effort to learn in a multitude of ways. And they would pray -- a lot. Always seeking God's guidance in the learning.

And then they'd check with those they trusted to see if they might have found the truth in it. And the ones trusted would critique it. (Not "criticize." "Critique.") And in doing so, they'd work it out to an agreement. And they would also pray earnestly to gain God's truth.

And the ones trusted would pray for the person. Often for weeks or months, before they came back and said to the person, "You are gifted in teaching." And the one that was said to would pray and research for months, possibly years, to see if that was true, and then come back for more critique.

And they would end up praying and agreeing again. And in that agreeing began the authority. The teacher was always gifted to teach, but the authority was given by learned, honest people seeking God's answer. From there, the student began preparing to teach, by doing the obvious next thing -- studying the subject matter. Either through seminary or self-taught, but that studying took years, and then more studying to prepare one teaching. Always, always praying for God's guidance in that learning and teaching.

THAT is a teacher.

So, I'm asking to those who think CC is their platform to teach, by whose authority do you teach?
By whose authority do you post that statement?
 
S

SpoonJuly

Guest
#17
I see lots of people starting threads to teach stuff they deem important. In doing so, they deem themselves as teachers. If I ask them "By whose authority," they will say "By God's authority." But that's not the question I'm asking. Well, it is, but it isn't.

I've known many "teachers" in my life. Most of them cannot teach. That makes them bogus teachers spewing forth a little truth in a sea of junk. When I was gullible, I used to think, "If someone teaches, they must be a teacher." And, because of that, I ended up believing a sea of junk with a little bit of truth mixed in.

I've also known many teachers who were great teachers. Their words I could believe. And, so, I asked them, "By whose authority do you teach?" And, the answer often included, "by God's authority," but it was not the only answer. A story came through that matched every time. It always had to do with a willingness to learn and a deep desire to learn. They would learn from anyone who could give them one phrase of truth. And then they'd ask, "But is it true?" Instead of asking the person, they would put in hours of effort to learn in a multitude of ways. And they would pray -- a lot. Always seeking God's guidance in the learning.

And then they'd check with those they trusted to see if they might have found the truth in it. And the ones trusted would critique it. (Not "criticize." "Critique.") And in doing so, they'd work it out to an agreement. And they would also pray earnestly to gain God's truth.

And the ones trusted would pray for the person. Often for weeks or months, before they came back and said to the person, "You are gifted in teaching." And the one that was said to would pray and research for months, possibly years, to see if that was true, and then come back for more critique.

And they would end up praying and agreeing again. And in that agreeing began the authority. The teacher was always gifted to teach, but the authority was given by learned, honest people seeking God's answer. From there, the student began preparing to teach, by doing the obvious next thing -- studying the subject matter. Either through seminary or self-taught, but that studying took years, and then more studying to prepare one teaching. Always, always praying for God's guidance in that learning and teaching.

THAT is a teacher.

So, I'm asking to those who think CC is their platform to teach, by whose authority do you teach?
Just may be that some have to come here because no one else will listen to them.
Some really weird stuff "taught" here.
 

EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
311
83
#18
This is where you and I are at loggerheads. I believe there is something much more important than salvation, and it isn't about getting a spot in heaven.

Really? I am curious to know what you think is more important (to humans) than salvation.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#20
By whose authority do you post that statement?
When does a question need authority to be asked?

And, if you're going to pretend it does, then by whose authority did you ask yours?



(Nice way to avoid the question, dude. And yet, you are, very much, one of the people I'm asking.)