When I moved from Chicago to Delaware to attend seminary, my mind was bombarded with so much new information. Some of this content backed up what I already believed, but there were many things that contradicted what I was told as a new Christian in high school. The most practical class that I took was Expository Preaching, based upon the biblical principle of studying the Bible line by line and verse by verse. The purpose of this class was to avoid the temptation of making the Bible say what you want it to say.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome, Jeremiah 29:11.
There are currently 104 different versions of the Bible which you can purchase. If you’re a pastor doing research for your next sermon, there may be a temptation to quote and use only the versions that highlight this message. Unless there is a member of this congregation who follows in the footsteps of the Bereans, Acts 17:10-11, no one will question what is being taught. Depending upon the current climate in your church, there may be some who are afraid to raise their voice, silently pondering, “that’s not what I was told.”
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you, Philippians 1:6.
One of the reasons why attending seminary is difficult is that Christian’s are forced to re-examine everything they thought they knew about the Bible. Any student who is not fully grounded, Colossians 2:6-7, becomes susceptible to falling prey to false teaching, 1 Timothy 4:1-2. The best perspective for any aspiring student is by falling in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis. While writing Mere Christianity, Lewis refers to progress as the process of arriving. As long as Christians continue to learn by meditating on God’s Word, Joshua 1:8, any disagreements will be ironed out over time.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 