[George]

Aloha Eric,

I find it "instructive" that you joined this Forum on 09/17/08 and have made three Posts (all on 09/17/08-see below), the first which takes the Scripture out of "context" and presumes to know our motives; the second where you "malign" a fellow Christian brother in Christ; and the third where you give us your personal "preferences" for three different "Authorities" that you "prefer" to guide you in your "studies".

Is Bible College/Institute necessary?

Your quote:

Throughout the scriptures the usefulness of teachers and the requirement of ministers to be able to teach is made plain. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ministers are to teach somebody nor merely teach empty seats. If God saw no benefit in the saints learning from gifted teachers why spend so much time on the topic of teaching in the scriptures? Secondly, consider Proverbs 11:14:

Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

Are not the written works of those whom the Holy Spirit has guided in past beneficial to us today? Is there not safety in Biblical interpretation when we compare our interpretations with those who have come before us?

Unfortunately, all of us have proceeded with the same ignorance that we will read the scriptures as God intended without preconceived assumptions. Therefore we errantly conclude that all those who came before us must have had an agenda. We make these judgments assuming that we are a capable final judge on the motives of those who studied before us. Granted there are right and wrong interpretations, but we must be careful that we do not hold ourselves above others in such a prideful and arrogant manner.

Your comments betray your biases - in favor of a smug "intellectual" and "academic" approach to Bible study that is contrary to the Biblical command concerning how we are to study. There is nothing in 2 Timothy 2:15 or in 1 John 2:20-21, 27; or in 1 Corinthians - the entire Chapter 2 that indicates that we "need" a "teacher" or "commentator" in order to receive spiritual understanding from God.

When you study the Bible it is NOT "safe to assume" ANYTHING! Especially that those Christians that came before, us who may have been intellectually and academically "inclined", and who possibly might have been seeking positions of "authority" within the body of Christ, had anymore spiritual discernment than those of us who are on this forum who are not well known or "published".

To assume that Christians that have written books have received an "unction" from God that we don't have is fallacious and self deceiving.

Your application of Proverbs 11:14 is "faulty". The verse is not referring to teachers of the Holy Scriptures, it's referring to "counsellers" [Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.] Do you see the word teachers in the verse? Is there anything in the verse that indicates a "need" for teachers? Where is there any reference to the word of God or Scripture? Hmmm? The verse is in reference to "FALLING" and "SAFETY". No counsel = "falling" (NOT - failing to understand God's word!). A multitude of counsellers = "safety" (NOT safety in the numbers of "commentators" - But SAFETY!)

Had you searched the Scriptures, instead of relying on the "commentators", you would have found what kind of "safety" was being spoken of: [Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.] The "safety spoken about is "SAFETY" in WAR; SAFETY from ENEMIES! NOT "safety" in a multitude of Bible "teachers" or "commentators"! Please notice - I didn't need any teacher or commentator to show me this truth. All that I needed was the Holy word of God (One "Authorized" Holy Bible - NOT three "preferred authorities" ) and the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of me, and in all born again Christians.

When you talk about Bible "interpretation" and "our interpretations" and the "interpretations" of those who came before us, you are treading on "dangerous ground". Are you not aware [2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.] that we are not to "privately interpret" the scriptures?

You talk about: "all of us have proceeded with the same ignorance that we will read the scriptures as God intended without preconceived assumptions." And you yourself have jumped to an "assumption" that "all of us" think like you!

Again you say: "Therefore we errantly conclude that all those who came before us must have had an agenda. We make these judgments assuming that we are a capable final judge on the motives of those who studied before us." Speak for yourself - we don't all think alike, or like you. Once again you "presume" to know our motives or thoughts when it comes to the "commentators", when many of us do not judge them at all. To be honest - I'm not so concerned with the motives of dead commentators, I'm more concerned with people today ("preachers", "teachers", "commentators", et al.) who pervert the Holy words of God in the "here and now".

Because I choose NOT "rely" on the "commentators" for spiritual discernment am I guilty of pride and arrogance? You said: "we must be careful that we do not hold ourselves above others in such a prideful and arrogant manner." Just because some of us on this Forum don't "rely" on others (from the past or the present) for discernment, understanding, and wisdom, doesn't make us proud or arrogant, and you certainly are mistaken in your judgment if you judge us so.

You come on this Forum and in a"clever" off-hand manner you accuse us of "ignorance"; of holding "preconceived assumptions"; of "error"; of "wrong interpretations"; "pride"; and "arrogance"; and then you have the "gall" to malign and cast dispersions on a brother in Christ who has labored for the Lord Jesus Christ, probably longer than you have been alive, and you expect us to be civil with you? Or to welcome you with open arms?

Peter S. Ruckman's work

Your quote:

I would encourage you to avoid Peter Ruckman's works. Some good alternatives would be Charles Spurgeon, Samuel Waldron, Fred Malone, Tom Nettles, and Mark Dever. I have found all of their works to be extremely beneficial and Biblical. It is not the mark of a Christian to be "crude and sometimes offensive" as mentioned by Chette777. Christians stand for truth, not behave themselves badly.

Before you say another word about brother Peter Ruckman, you should read some of the 278 Posts > under the "Chit-Chat" Section of this Forum > under the heading "Dr. Ruckman before you bad mouth someone who, you obviously know little about. You have demonstrated a proclivity to unjustly judge a fellow brother in Christ who has devoted his entire life and ministry for nearly 60 years to upholding the word (words) of God.
[Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.]

You've got a lot to learn about Christian conduct. Just because a man speaks plainly and strongly criticizes anyone who messes with the Holy words of God, doesn't mean that he is "behaving themselves badly". This is Humanistic thinking and reasoning. But on the other hand you have come on this Forum and insulted all of us, but because you used "good words and fair speeches" and not "crude" or harsh language, you think that you have been sweet and lovely - not so!

Ruckman Reference Bible

Your quote:

Originally Posted by ericwgreene

I personally prefer the Reformation Study Bible published by Ligonier Ministries and/or the Evidence Bible published by Living Waters. Also, I use the Ryrie Study Bible as well. I find each one helps my ministry.

It must be "wonderful" to be able to CHOOSE between so many "Authorities"! That way, instead of relying on the Holy words of God and the Holy Spirit, you can rely on your own intellect and "preferences" (for "light"?).

When a person comes on this Forum and in the first day they post 3 Posts that are clearly meant to cast aspersions, insult, and denigrate (all without using "harsh" or "crude" language - of course ) those of us on this Forum and brother Peter Ruckman - it raises the question: Is this person here to EDIFY, or has he come to impress us with his "knowledge" and "expertise" and to debate and divide? Time will tell - It always does.

Oh, by the way - welcome to the Forum.