What are your thoughts on religious education and the Bible?

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David_1

David_1

Banned
#1
Mar 21, 2011
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#1
Do you believe the bible is best interpreted by the individual and his/her reading of it?

or is the bible better understood by people who have university degrees in biblical studies or Theology?

I know there is a few areas of specialisation like: Theology, Biblical studies and Ministry.

so does someone who went to University, studied the ancient languages and stuff have a better understanding of the bible?

Does it matter, once you've accepted Christ as your saviour?

(I know lots of questions)
 
R

Rock022

Banned
#2
Dec 5, 2012
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#2
As a catholic when I look for the interpretation of a passage I look for an answer that has been approved by the church they would have a NIHIL OBSTAT or IMPRIMATUR with contact information to verify the person.

Why do I do this? Because I do not claim infallibility. I have had many people tell me I only need the Holy Spirit to guide me, but this believe has so many different truths out there, I simply can not afford to be wrong, I am not a gambler.
 
M

MarkayMrk777

Guest
#3
#3
Pray for wisdom and keep you ear open.


James 1:5-7

New International Version (NIV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
 
M

MaggieMye

Guest
#4
#4
Do you believe the bible is best interpreted by the individual and his/her reading of it? IF the person is Born Again and has the Holy Spirit as their counselor, yes. If not, then no.

or is the bible better understood by people who have university degrees in biblical studies or Theology? Obviously a person with knowledge of the ancient languages and the true meaning of original words is going to have a more accurate understanding of God's Word. HOWEVER...intperpretation belongs to the Lord and we need only ASK HIM for His wisdom and understanding...Eph 1 and 3 "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the Lord" ...yeah, ASK for it DAILY!!

I know there is a few areas of specialisation like: Theology, Biblical studies and Ministry.

so does someone who went to University, studied the ancient languages and stuff have a better understanding of the bible? yes, they have a better understanding of what the Bible SAYS, but not necessarily a better knowledge/understanding of God because THAT comes ONLY through RELATIONSHIP through Christ Jesus.

Does it matter, once you've accepted Christ as your saviour? Obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22b

(I know lots of questions) That's how you learn!
 
pickles

pickles

Senior Member
#5
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
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#5
David_1 said:
Do you believe the bible is best interpreted by the individual and his/her reading of it?

or is the bible better understood by people who have university degrees in biblical studies or Theology?

I know there is a few areas of specialisation like: Theology, Biblical studies and Ministry.

so does someone who went to University, studied the ancient languages and stuff have a better understanding of the bible?

Does it matter, once you've accepted Christ as your saviour?

(I know lots of questions)
Click to expand...
Actually I just read some good scripture on this in 1 peter.
If I correctlly recall, he spoke to education having its value, but not to dismiss the one learned through the Spirit.
Ill see if I can find it and post. :)

God bless
pickles
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#6
#6
The Bible should be read and studied both as an individual, with the Holy Spirit, and in community.
 
Cobus

Cobus

Banned
#7
Feb 17, 2010
3,620
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#7
Only ONE WAY is best..... Jesus said how.... When HE REVEALS IT TO WHOM HE WANTS! It is a gift of God in 1 Cor 12... Knowledge!! Who knows this knowledge.... Did God not say THOU SHALT KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE!... So I gues all who knows the Truth also has the KNOWLEDGE!

Only ONE gives that KNOWLEDGE.... God! So no school or private interpretaion will get nobody even close! God has to give it... And HE DOES!
 
Bowman

Bowman

Banned
#8
Nov 19, 2012
5,484
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#8
David_1 said:
Do you believe the bible is best interpreted by the individual and his/her reading of it?

or is the bible better understood by people who have university degrees in biblical studies or Theology?

I know there is a few areas of specialisation like: Theology, Biblical studies and Ministry.

so does someone who went to University, studied the ancient languages and stuff have a better understanding of the bible?

Does it matter, once you've accepted Christ as your saviour?

(I know lots of questions)
Click to expand...

Self study, utilizing the lexical, grammatical, etc resources (from professionals in their respective fields) is far and away the best way to understand scripture.

Read the commentaries, study on your own, validate for yourself what you hear, and you will have the upper-hand in correct interpretation.
 
K

Kefa52

Guest
#9
#9
Study to know about God. Apply it in the spirit, to your life to know of God. Even Satan knows about God.
 
Geometar

Geometar

Banned
#10
Nov 22, 2012
626
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#10
David_1 said:
Do you believe the bible is best interpreted by the individual and his/her reading of it?

or is the bible better understood by people who have university degrees in biblical studies or Theology?

I know there is a few areas of specialisation like: Theology, Biblical studies and Ministry.

so does someone who went to University, studied the ancient languages and stuff have a better understanding of the bible?

Does it matter, once you've accepted Christ as your saviour?

(I know lots of questions)
Click to expand...

David,u know what my answer can be.Do not step out from teaching of the Holy Church and Holy Fathers.
Individual interpretations of man who have no teaching on this subjest is always wrong because how much he trying by his mind,he wont understand it.
 
pickles

pickles

Senior Member
#11
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#11
pickles said:
Actually I just read some good scripture on this in 1 peter.
If I correctlly recall, he spoke to education having its value, but not to dismiss the one learned through the Spirit.
Ill see if I can find it and post. :)

God bless
pickles
Click to expand...
Ok, well it wasnt in 1 peter, but I just finished doing a study using to different bibles reading through titus, James, Peter and timothy.
So Ill try to find it again, Im sorry I didnt find it yet.
If anyone else remembers, please post it. :)

As to what matters most when it comes to education vs spirit?
What matters is the teaching that Jesus gives through us, and that it glorifies God!

God bless
pickles
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#12
#12
I study anything i can get my hands on.
Whats up with the squeamishness?
 
SarahM777

SarahM777

Banned
#13
Dec 26, 2012
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#13
Something to think about Why didn't Jesus pick one of the religious leaders of His day to be a disciple? Not one of the disciples was educated that way but all had one thing in common. They were all taught by Jesus not by man. Which leads to the next question how many of the men and women that come out of seminary see it as a job and not a calling?
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#14
#14
SarahM777 said:
Something to think about Why didn't Jesus pick one of the religious leaders of His day to be a disciple? Not one of the disciples was educated that way but all had one thing in common. They were all taught by Jesus not by man. Which leads to the next question how many of the men and women that come out of seminary see it as a job and not a calling? [/quote]

Oh, Sarah, you've hit on a great point, there. :)

The 'ministry' as a profession.
Just another job.

:(
Click to expand...
 
SarahM777

SarahM777

Banned
#15
Dec 26, 2012
5,853
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#15
If one is seeing it as a job and not a calling who are they are trying to please? The other bad thing about a seminary or Bible college is to whom are they held accountable? All they have to do is pass according to a head knowledge of the material they are studying and not whether they ever have it down in the day to day living. Does their walk match the talk? I think it's part of the reason everything is so watered down these days.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#16
#16
I don't mean to disparage everyone who attends any sort of seminary or Bible college.
We've been blessed with pastors who are true shepherds of the flock
who attended Bible college and all the flock benefitted by what they learned there. :)

And I do think it's possible to be a teacher, gifted by the Holy Spirit,
without ever having attended a college.
Better to have the gift than just the education,
but both is good!

One hopes the man taught at a seminary who is shepherding a local assembly
is held accountable to the elders of the church (just like the one who wasn't taught at college),
and the leadership of the denomination, if there is one.

But I do agree that if someone considers the ministry merely as another job choice,
the flock will suffer. :(
And sadly, there seems to be a lot of that happening.
 
David_1

David_1

Banned
#17
Mar 21, 2011
1,515
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#17
Abiding said:
Whats up with the squeamishness?
Click to expand...
I'm more wondering how to approach the bible. Through academic study, or simply though own study.

Also When I was a kid I read the bible and I guess taught by spirit, but then chastised by some people a few years back for having an immature theology (They were coming from a Theology perspective taught outside the simple Bible words).
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#18
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
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#18
we need MORE fully equipped pastors who know the Scripture and teach it - who know hebrew and greek and history and church history and make it their life's calling.
MORE not fewer.

not these diploma mill televangelists and parachurch groups.
real pastors in real churches.
 
willfollowsGod

willfollowsGod

Senior Member
#19
Apr 14, 2011
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#19
Not all these tele-evangelists are hypocrites. Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, and maybe others are ok. The rest are probably wackoes, but even if they are God can strangely use them for His purposes and the person can be saved and hopefully can read the Bible and realize that the theology that was espoused by the pastor/ pastoress was not of the Bible and not of God but of man/woman or the Devil.
 
A

Abiding

Guest
#20
#20
David_1 said:
I'm more wondering how to approach the bible. Through academic study, or simply though own study.

Also When I was a kid I read the bible and I guess taught by spirit, but then chastised by some people a few years back for having an immature theology (They were coming from a Theology perspective taught outside the simple Bible words).
Click to expand...
David tell me. Are there any subjects that you really wish you knew about?
Do you ever find yourself thinking you wish you knew more about a certain bible topic?
 
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