In it's simplest form here is the argument: If you don't REALLY know what you are talking about you ought not talk about it.
A little more detailed: When it comes to Scripture you need to REALLY know what you are talking about before you talk about it. Really knowing requires that you are educated. Educated requires that you are TAUGHT by PEOPLE who God has gifted to teach who themselves have been educated by people God has gifted to teach.
But the gift is not enough in and of itself. The educator needs to submit his findings to a multitude of counselors before he attempts to educate others.
That multitude should not be restricted to only one or two generations. That multitude of Christian scholars ought to span a wide berth of Christian history.
If you are educated in Bible by Bible educators who have been educated by a multitude spanning generations of Christian educators then you are a Bible scholar.
If you are NOT a scholar by this definition then you ought not speak on matters of which you do not know what you are talking about.
This is important because the Word of God handled haphazardly by the unlearned has been the PRIMARY SOURCE of heresy and apostasy in every age.
It is wicked arrogance to not have a real education on a matter which influences the immortal souls of men and yet speak on it any way. People who do this are the most dangerous types of people in the history of humanity.
A good education does not NECESSARILY have to come from seminary- a fine seminary is a wonderful place to get such an education but it is not NECESSARILY the only place.
Now, notice I did not say that anyone on baptistboard is doing this wickedness. Whether or not I suspect that some are is irrelevant to the discussion. But I am arguing that N
NE ANY WHERE should do it.
Some of you accused me of accusing people on baptistboard of doing this. I have not. I may or may not figure some are doing it, but I am not accusing anyone of doing it. I am arguing for a philosophy that EVERY Christian OUGHT to support across the board.
The only name which I have used in this discussion was Winman who brazenly and repeatedly boasts that he does not need any teachers.
If anyone else gets offended, it is because you are not thoroughly reading my posts on this subject or you are READING INTO THEM something I have not said.
One final word. I am not saying that unlearned people are evil. That would be stupid. I am saying unlearned people who talk about things concerning God that they don't really comprehend are evil and wicked and dangerous. There is a huge difference.
Very simple people (like new coverts for example) can share the Gospel and SHOULD and it is a sin for them NOT to share the Gospel. But ONLY that part which they comprehend. Like an ice berg the Gospel can make a powerful impact by the little bit that is easily visible and comprehensible on the surface. But when an unlearned person who has never dived deep beneath the surface by way of REAL and biblical education begins to speak on things too deep for them- THESE people are EVIL and dangerous. Jude and Peter and Paul has the harshest of words for these people and so should each of us.
The rule: Only speak as deeply as your proper education has taken you.
A little more detailed: When it comes to Scripture you need to REALLY know what you are talking about before you talk about it. Really knowing requires that you are educated. Educated requires that you are TAUGHT by PEOPLE who God has gifted to teach who themselves have been educated by people God has gifted to teach.
But the gift is not enough in and of itself. The educator needs to submit his findings to a multitude of counselors before he attempts to educate others.
That multitude should not be restricted to only one or two generations. That multitude of Christian scholars ought to span a wide berth of Christian history.
If you are educated in Bible by Bible educators who have been educated by a multitude spanning generations of Christian educators then you are a Bible scholar.
If you are NOT a scholar by this definition then you ought not speak on matters of which you do not know what you are talking about.
This is important because the Word of God handled haphazardly by the unlearned has been the PRIMARY SOURCE of heresy and apostasy in every age.
It is wicked arrogance to not have a real education on a matter which influences the immortal souls of men and yet speak on it any way. People who do this are the most dangerous types of people in the history of humanity.
A good education does not NECESSARILY have to come from seminary- a fine seminary is a wonderful place to get such an education but it is not NECESSARILY the only place.
Now, notice I did not say that anyone on baptistboard is doing this wickedness. Whether or not I suspect that some are is irrelevant to the discussion. But I am arguing that N
NE ANY WHERE should do it.Some of you accused me of accusing people on baptistboard of doing this. I have not. I may or may not figure some are doing it, but I am not accusing anyone of doing it. I am arguing for a philosophy that EVERY Christian OUGHT to support across the board.
The only name which I have used in this discussion was Winman who brazenly and repeatedly boasts that he does not need any teachers.
If anyone else gets offended, it is because you are not thoroughly reading my posts on this subject or you are READING INTO THEM something I have not said.
One final word. I am not saying that unlearned people are evil. That would be stupid. I am saying unlearned people who talk about things concerning God that they don't really comprehend are evil and wicked and dangerous. There is a huge difference.
Very simple people (like new coverts for example) can share the Gospel and SHOULD and it is a sin for them NOT to share the Gospel. But ONLY that part which they comprehend. Like an ice berg the Gospel can make a powerful impact by the little bit that is easily visible and comprehensible on the surface. But when an unlearned person who has never dived deep beneath the surface by way of REAL and biblical education begins to speak on things too deep for them- THESE people are EVIL and dangerous. Jude and Peter and Paul has the harshest of words for these people and so should each of us.
The rule: Only speak as deeply as your proper education has taken you.
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