Great news and my perspective

I would like for you to share in my celebration. I have passed all required courses for completion of a Master of Arts in Christian Studies at Luther Rice Seminary and University. My decision to attend Seminary was to equip myself to handle the Word of God appropriately. There are too many people who do not understand how to properly interpret the Bible. This happens because they do not take into consideration the culture and context in which the Bible was written. For example, when a book of the Bible was written, it was written to a specific group of people in a specific time. There are principles and directives that affect different groups of people directly. There are five rules to correct Bible interpretation. 1) CONTEXT, 2) CONTEXT,
3) CONTEXT, (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE- this rule hinges on proper interpretation) 4) Narrative is NOT normative (because something occured once, this does not mean that it will happen again-ie. parting of the Red Sea) 5) Scripture can NEVER mean what it NEVER meant. (we cannot make Scripture mean something in 2009 what it did not mean when it was written originally by the author who was inspired of God to write it) On this blog, my hope is to assist those who read it to be better equipped to interpret the Bible correctly. My degree was gained for this very purpose. Please feel free to ask questions, or make comments so that together we can grow in God's Word. I will try to post at least once every week.

Romans 12

This chapter in Romans is straightforward and the principles are to be practiced by every born again believer in Christ. These are words that I have tried to live by with much prayer. Academic Degrees are worth nothing if they are not used to build up others, as we glorify God in our daily living.

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service , in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality ; he who leads , with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints , practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you ; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings.