Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

LESSON 2 | BIBLE INTERPRETATION: THE THREE-STEP MODEL / 103

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Only Formal Training Will Do Many churches and denominations today are convinced that those who desire to go into ministry must have some formal training in a Bible Institute, Christian liberal arts college, or graduate school/ seminary. Those who hold such a view are simply convinced that the rigors, problems, and situations of ministry cannot be left to one’s own personal preparation. Rather, the likelihood that one will be successful in urban ministry increases greatly, they argue, if a student is given the opportunity to receive formal training. Unfortunately, for those unable either to afford or to qualify for such training, they are de facto eliminated from the candidate pool of ministry. What is your opinion about the role of formal training in biblical, theological, and pastoral training and the prospect of urban ministry? Is it possible to have a fruitful urban ministry without having been trained formally? If it is, then what is the role and function of formal academic preparation for urban ministry? Discerning the Mind of the Holy Spirit Is My Method While many believe that having a clear, rational method for approaching Bible study is essential to discern the meaning of Scripture, a great many today remain skeptical of the role of method for spiritual discernment. Having seen the doubt and confusion produced by modern historical criticism of the Bible, many hold that any allegiance to a form of method is dangerous in study. Rather than using scientific methods of approach, these often argue for a more spiritual, intuitive approach to Bible study. They approach study as a spiritual discipline not an intellectual one, and want to be taught by the Holy Spirit. This is perceived not as the wooden following of some method, but a heart and soul preparation that allows the Holy Spirit himself to be their teacher. If, in fact, the Holy Spirit alone is the true teacher of the Word of God, what is the usefulness of seeking a method to read, study, and apply the Scriptures? In what ways might a commitment to method in biblical interpretation either help or hinder our understanding of the Word of God?

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B i b l i ca l S tud i e s

Attitude vs. Method: Which One Is Most Critical in Biblical Interpretation?

While most acknowledge that some form of disciplined approach to the Scriptures is helpful to understand God’s purpose and meaning in the Bible, it is often not clear how to weigh the importance between attitude and method in study. On the one hand, many believe that without the proper attitude, no understanding of Scripture is possible. Whatever

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