Research more?

[eh7]

Should Christians read up more and do research more or depend on what is taught in church? There are people who like to say that christians do not read up more and like to depend on superficial things. I'm wondering how much research is considered enough.

 

[linssue55]

Should Christians read up more and do research more or depend on what is taught in church? There are people who like to say that christians do not read up more and like to depend on superficial things. I'm wondering how much research is considered enough.

Ihave for 32 years studied and a student (from my wonderful pastor) of theology, and the original languages. If you are a SERIOUS student of the word of God, you will learn until the day you die. Free will is involved and you need to find your right pastor TEACHER (not preacher) to learn the bible accurately.

 

[icxn]

Should Christians read up more and do research more or depend on what is taught in church?

Christians should start practicing what they read and spend less time arguing.

icxn

 

[eh7]

Christians should start practicing what they read and spend less time arguing.

icxn

 

[eh7]

Ihave for 32 years studied and a student (from my wonderful pastor) of theology, and the original languages. If you are a SERIOUS student of the word of God, you will learn until the day you die. Free will is involved and you need to find your right pastor TEACHER (not preacher) to learn the bible accurately.

I guess most christians wouldn't be able to do it.

 

[linssue55]

I guess most christians wouldn't be able to do it.

It is easy, I study at home, get tapes every month from my church, I get 30 a month, listen to one every day, and study, they are FREE. As I said 32 years and still going.

ANY christain can do it. IF they really want to.

 

[justified]

I envision a setup like this:

1. Laypeople
2. Teachers at Churches
3. Scholars

Scholars teach the teachers, who in turn teach the laypeople; it is the job of the teachers to correct the laypeople and the scholars to correct aberrant teaching and incorrect doctrine, as well as for the teachers and laypeople to correct the arrogance and self-righteousness that scholars tend to exhibit.

You can't ask someone who is raising a family, trying to make ends meet by working 60 hours a week, etc. to learn the difference between a hophal and a hithpael. At least, I don't think that's right.

 

[NPH]

Christians should start practicing what they read and spend less time arguing.

icxn

Matthew 22:36-39

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

All of us could spend an entire lifetime just trying to live up to this right here. Once I get this part down completely then i'll start worrying about the rest

 

[JimfromOhio]

I do alot of reading, research along with my Bible Study.

A Christian who studies the bible does not rely human mind to learn the scripture. Studying the scriptures requires the Holy Spirit which is inward, not outward. The Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith. Church is spiritual and the body of believers (Christians) are the same.

Ephesians 4:14-15: No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

Acts 17:11: They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul's message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said.

The Bible teaches that faith is of the spirit and not of the flesh. Christ dwells in my heart, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith. I am to be humbled and have a strong relationship with Jesus within my heart. Through the knowledge of God, Holy Spirit will communicate to my spirit at the deepest levels of my heart. If I humble myself to God, the Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus in me and teach me with revelations of spiritual truth (Matthew 11:25-27). Spiritual growth requires us to understand the Scriptures and get to know our God the Father, our Savior the Son, and our comforter the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26, Jesus said: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Hebrews 10:14-16
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
"This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."

So my concept is this:
A. Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
B. Allow the Holy Spirit teach and convict me.
C. Read the Scriptures and Pray
D. Have fellowship with fellow believers (learn from one another) (i.e. Church)
E. Research and test the teachings to make sure the teachings are true.

Regarding the Bible:
1. I study the Word of God to "know the Spirit": 2 Peter (whole book)
2. I need to understand my Spiritual boundaries: Hebrews 2:4, 1 Thess. 5:16-22, Ephesians 4:14-16, and Ephesians 6:10-20
3. I need to test the spirits: 1 John 4:1-6
4. I need to discern the spirits: Hebrews 5:11 - 6:12

 

[icxn]

Matthew 22:36-39

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

All of us could spend an entire lifetime just trying to live up to this right here. Once I get this part down completely then i'll start worrying about the rest

You can't put up the roof before you raise the walls and you cannot build the walls without the foundation, common to all the stages is a good supply of mud. Without mud nothing can be cemented in place.

icxn

 

[Jimmy West]

Should Christians read up more and do research more or depend on what is taught in church? There are people who like to say that christians do not read up more and like to depend on superficial things. I'm wondering how much research is considered enough.

No, Christians need to stop looking for God in scripture and develope a relationship with him in the spiritual realm. All answers will come when you are able to hear the Holy Spirit.

 

[Melethiel]

No, Christians need to stop looking for God in scripture and develope a relationship with him in the spiritual realm. All answers will come when you are able to hear the Holy Spirit.

Forget sola scriptura, who needs Scripture at all?

I'm all in favor of reading. Church libraries are great things. Theology can even be entertaining, if you're reading Luther in one of his bad moods.

 

[Jimmy West]

Forget sola scriptura, who needs Scripture at all?

I'm not saying we don't need scripture, but that there must be a balance. And most Christians do not have that balance. Their entire relationship is based on what they have read in scripture, and THAT is not a relationship at all. Many think that they are serving the Kingdom by studying scripture day in and day out. THAT'S NOT SERVING THE KINGDOM! THAT IS AN ATTEMPT TO FIND THE KINGDOM! And the Kingdom is not in scripture, the Kingdom is what scripture is all about. But, the Kingdom is out here. It is on the streets. It is in the schools. It is anywhere that there are believers seeking the voice of God. If you truely want to serve the Kingdom, stop reading about it and go out and DO SOMETHING!

 

[GraceInHim]

when people use scripture to make one higher then another - that is where I draw a line in the sand - and go ahead abd quote me - you already know what I am talking about - this is a slap in the face to God - for God loved everyone not just a few -

 

[revrobor]

Should Christians read up more and do research more or depend on what is taught in church? There are people who like to say that christians do not read up more and like to depend on superficial things. I'm wondering how much research is considered enough.

Christians need to stop assuming whatever they are taught by their pastors is true and stop assuming that their pastors are in that position because GOD has put them there. IMO the religious instution we call the "church" (not to be confused with the Body of believers called the Church in Scripture) has done more to minimumize the effectiveness of the Body than has the Enemy. Every Believer should research (especially with God) everything they are taught.

 

[Strong in Him]

Yes I think Christians should study Scripture for themselves - definitely. The reason why there are so many arguments, cults and false teachings around is that people take verses of the Bible to fit in with their own ideas, rather than looking at verses in context and considering the whole teaching. If we take verses in isolation we can make the Bible say anything we want it to say. The Scriptures contain many types of writing, poetry, prophecy, history etc. It contains pastoral letters to churches who were facing partcular problems, in a particular situation, and it contains words and teachings of Jesus which are just as relevant to us today - eg "love one another" - as they were then. We need to study for ourselves. At the end of the day, our faith is our faith, and our walk with God is our walk with God - not somebody elses.

I think it's Max Lucado who says that accepting what someone else teaches without questioning or finding out for yourself, is like being handed a tasty meal and employing someone else to chew it for you. You can't be bothered to make the effort, you just want to swallow.

 

[QuantaCura]

Luther in one of his bad moods.

That guy was always in a bad mood. If only he had a more fiber rich diet, the Reformation might never have happened

 

[Strong in Him]

That guy was always in a bad mood. If only he had a more fiber rich diet, the Reformation might never have happened

LOL

 

[Melethiel]

That guy was always in a bad mood. If only he had a more fiber rich diet, the Reformation might never have happened

True. I mean the Erasmus-was-a-heretic-pig-and-I'll-call-him-that-to-his-face mood.

 

[Jimmy West]

Christians need to stop assuming whatever they are taught by their pastors is true and stop assuming that their pastors are in that position because GOD has put them there. IMO the religious instution we call the "church" (not to be confused with the Body of believers called the Church in Scripture) has done more to minimumize the effectiveness of the Body than has the Enemy. Every Believer should research (especially with God) everything they are taught.

AMEN! Pray to the Lord and ask for wisdom. Don't just think that you already have it. For wisdom will set you free just as truth will.