Outdoorzman Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I've been studying the Bible for the past 18 straight years and have accumulated approximately 35,000 hours of one-on-one time with others through personal study, college courses, mens studies, and library research. I've studied everything from apologetics, to theology and doctine, to the concept of faith, but perhaps the greatest area of research has been hermeneutics & exegesis. THAT, ladies & gentlemen, is where we separate opinion from fact. Suffice it to say I like things simple....and religion is NOT a simple topic to many; Here's what I see in the New Testament...'follow Jesus, learn his teachings, become a disciple, and share with the world'. That's pretty basic. The development of Christianity was the building of hundreds of local assemblies in Paul's day and all NT teaching shows sound structure concerning how the Body of Christ as a whole should be, even today. Folks....we have an unbelievably long way to go. Today, on practically every street corner, you have a church, and each claims they have "the truth", and because of that, though we should be acting as brothers & sisters worldwide, we are divided on MANY topics. The Bible was inspired by God and written by men, but its books and epistles all came from a culture that, quite frankly, is foreign to our way of life, some 2000 years after Jesus' ministry. This is where exegesis comes in. I started "Mountain-Man Outdoor Ministries" just this past fall and though it's easy to break off into opinions when teaching the Bible, I at least try to approach it from a different angle. Exegesis and hermeneutics is dissecting not just scripture but scriptural content, and that means in order not to take a passage 'out of context', you have to analyze the original words for exact meaning, who wrote it, to whom it was written, and when, along with having a cultural understanding of the time period in question. Then, we have the arduous task of taking what we've learned and seeing if and how it can be applied to us today...a different cultural society, some 2000 years later. My job is to present the student with as many facts as possible concerning his/her biblical question, then let them make their own decisions based on their own personal walk with God. That allows me to be less "judgemental". And the only time I'll give you my opinion is if you ask me for it. I guess the point to all of this was to let everyone know that if you have questions, I'd be glad to work with you to find some answers. This forum may or may not be the place but I'll let you decide. Fact is, even though I've got accredited Bible college courses under my belt, along with years of study, I'm still just a hunter and a redneck outdoorsman just like most of you....no better, no worse. My 'Mountain-Man Ministries' business cards say it like this: "Christian Studies for Rednecks and Sportsmen". So praise God and pass the ammunition!!! Let's go huntin' and share our faith around the fire!! :gun2: That's just my "2 Cents"..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 My job is to present the student with as many facts as possible concerning his/her biblical question, then let them make their own decisions based on their own personal walk with God. That allows me to be less "judgemental". And the only time I'll give you my opinion is if you ask me for it. That type mentality would no doubt make you a great teacher. Most folks learn more and easier when they don't feel like someone is forcing something on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 29, 2010 Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I've never claimed to be a preacher of any kind. I'm just a saved by grace, dumb redneck hunter. I do manage to get myself into big discussions about the Lord and the Bible though. Thanks for being here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorzman Posted January 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 My pleasure, guys...And for the record I don't believe in the word 'religion'; What we have is more 'relationship' than religion. And I don't know about being a 'great' teacher, but I DO agree less pressure and no forcing something down throats is the best way. I'm not a pastor; I don't have a 'church'; It's not my job to judge anyone...that falls to Jesus. If I can try to be as unbiased as possible, that's all I can hope for. However, many times a person will come to me with something stuck in his head, trying to get me to sway to his understanding of a passage and if I believe that person is off base, I have to tell him so, but by giving him the facts first. No matter where we stand on a biblical issue, there will always be facts that can be applied to it first, and if the person lets me identify those, and THEN we can discuss it's modern day application, we have a good base to work from. Hope to see more great discussions in here!! We can "agree to disagree" on MANY christian topics, that do not hinder our salvation, and that's where the 'opinions' come in. Each has his own and sometimes that's not a bad thing because though we all are of one universal Body in Christ, the Bible says there are MANY different callings and types of service, and I think the problems with our divisions lie there.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denman68 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I agree that the problem is when it comes to man today, that we are in the mindset, if they are not doing it like I am, that it is wrong. But God said that there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us, is on our part. (MK 9:39-40KJV) And about winning people to the Lord, an old man told me when I announced my calling to preach, that people were like a logging chain; that if you would get in front of it and walk straight, it would follow you anywhere, but if you get behind and try to push it, it will kink up on you. Looking foward to many faith based discussions with you...May God bless your ministry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 And about winning people to the Lord, an old man told me when I announced my calling to preach, that people were like a logging chain; that if you would get in front of it and walk straight, it would follow you anywhere, but if you get behind and try to push it, it will kink up on you. That is 100% on the mark and well thought out! Great quote and im going to use that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 There are many chuches these days and I believe that the divisions lie in the problems Paul had with the early church and false teachers. The Bible is the only source for God's word. It's as applicable today as it was when it was written. People are convicted to come to Jesus not convinced. If they can be convinced then they can be convinced otherwise. Just my $.02. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 that people were like a logging chain; that if you would get in front of it and walk straight, it would follow you anywhere, but if you get behind and try to push it, it will kink up on you. Shepherds lead..................sheep follow. Proud to be a sheep.......... of God's JJL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Me too Jim, me too;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Interesting thoughts. I had to look up exegesis and hermeneutics but it was an interesting read. I don't know, in my opinion, as it was described it seems that it may be over-analytical. When we try to analyze something so closely, I think we may miss the big picture. I personally think I'd rather spend the time and energy studying my existence as introspectively as I can. I think that is where the evidence of our divinity can be seen. Call it the Holy Spirit or what have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorzman Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 I like the comments and discussion guys. And muggs is right on about being too 'analytical'. I just wanted to bring out the point that when my back is against the wall in defense of the gospel, I have a leg to stand on with those who would try to use logic to tear me down....and believe me, there are lots of folks who boldly stand up and preach on something they know nothing about, which often ends up stumbling someone else...and I'm speaking of the few who speak and react before thinking or studying. Fortunately, most of my ministry is good old fashioned spreading the gospel, sharing my faith, and trying to win people to Christ, and in humble, open-minded discussions. And to m gardner I say....dead-on about convicting rather than convincing. I'm often led into the convincing arena with others more than allowing for their conviction, which is something I shall work on. And the Bible is indeed the true and only source of God's word, completely applicable for us today. I just feel that my specific calling...which seems to be continually drawn out...lies more in classroom teaching & education rather than simple faith. Even though I walk by faith and not by sight, there seems to be a need for a little analytical discussion with those who brazenly try to twist the word for their own agendas. Wow...this is a great forum. Love talking with you guys. We could combine all our thoughts and ideals and really enjoy a campfire in some remote hunting lodge somewhere, couldn't we! LOL!! Remember...there is ALWAYS something to be learned from the Word; it truly is pregnant with revelation no matter how many times we read it. God bless all my brothers here at Realtree. Hope to share camp someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorzman Posted February 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 And I suppose, after contemplation, I could say it this way, concerning my own calling... There will always be christians walking by faith and discussing the Bible by faith, however, many times the simple topics can become arenas for dissension and quarreling, based on opinions. My position...though I'm right there with you guys, is this...That there is still a need for christian 'teachers' who have the ability and training to step in-between brothers & sisters whose arguments could be straightened out by simple grammatical or cultural truths in clarification; Otherwise, with no direction, divisions would grow with wild abandon. That's where my own strengths lie, and as I mentioned early on, I try not to sway any believers through opinion when facts are openly available. Then it becomes a matter between you, (the student), and God. There is no pressure from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbgatech Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 My pleasure, guys...And for the record I don't believe in the word 'religion'; What we have is more 'relationship' than religion. And I don't know about being a 'great' teacher, but I DO agree less pressure and no forcing something down throats is the best way. I'm not a pastor; I don't have a 'church'; It's not my job to judge anyone...that falls to Jesus. If I can try to be as unbiased as possible, that's all I can hope for. However, many times a person will come to me with something stuck in his head, trying to get me to sway to his understanding of a passage and if I believe that person is off base, I have to tell him so, but by giving him the facts first. No matter where we stand on a biblical issue, there will always be facts that can be applied to it first, and if the person lets me identify those, and THEN we can discuss it's modern day application, we have a good base to work from. Hope to see more great discussions in here!! We can "agree to disagree" on MANY christian topics, that do not hinder our salvation, and that's where the 'opinions' come in. Each has his own and sometimes that's not a bad thing because though we all are of one universal Body in Christ, the Bible says there are MANY different callings and types of service, and I think the problems with our divisions lie there.... Well spoken... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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