5 Things I Learned From My Masters in Theology | Regent College 

Hey Bimo, what do you mean with "their own" interpretation of Scripture? Do you believe that there is THE ONE way of interpreting scripture? If so, which one is it? In what year did this interpretation come to be? Who finally cracked to code to THE ONE and only correct interpretation? In which country did this ONE interpretation happen? I would love to hear your thoughts. It's called Regent College, here in Vancouver Canada

Hey Ralos, that is a very important comment. The Bible is full of God and full of man. Whatever a person writes will necessarily have his perspective, understanding and point of view, that is true of all literature - including God's word (and that does not make it less special or powerful). God did not bypass any of the biblical authors' brains or worldviews but worked with them and through them (as he does with us). To use your language "once you open that door" it is the opposite of "anything goes", the Bible becomes with wonderful and beautiful dance between human authors and wonderful Holy Spirit and that forces you to pay even closer attention to the text instead of the opposite. It forces you to understand the text better and deeper than you preciously had. You realize how God worked with and through individuals and communities writing, compiling, modifying, translating, editing (the list goes on and on) the texts that we have today through close to 2000 years. It's all just fascinating and it categorically the opposite of "everything goes". I would love to hear your thoughts now brother

@@OctavioMoss Thank you for responding to my comment. The devil uses the same tactics he used in the garden at the beginning....the questioning of God's word. "Has God indeed said?" It's subtle, but it's the same thing. We're living in a time where many "progressive christians", being influenced by the culture, pick and choose what they want to believe is God's word and what they want to believe is man's. In order to push various agendas. "Did God really say that, or did man?" 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All scripture is breathed out by God....not man. Human bias cannot come into play at all, because it would no longer be God's word. To teach people that God's word can be corrupted by man, casts doubt on it truly being the Word of God. If it's not truly the Word of God, it cannot be trusted nor depended on as the truth, and we definitely cannot have faith in it.

⁠@@ralos3500 or maybe you don’t want to believe that you were wrong and that that document hurt a lot of people

Paul’s letters were letters so of course they have bias. Any written document is under the filter of a human. We need the Holy Spirit to interpret God’s word. Even if God took 100% control and forced the person to write every single word. We would still have bias even in our interpretation. We need the Holy Spirit

Heeeeey… do say hi when you see me around 😉

Thanks!

I agree. I heard this phrase the other day, "God's let's His children tell the story". Cheers Callum!

Do you mean which school to attend? Which type of school to attend? In terms of jobs, teaching jobs are limited. You could find more jobs working for churches or non for profits but that also depends on your beliefs.

Hey…it’s always great to meet people who get a little bit of what you’ve been through. Blessings to you

Hello, thanks for your comment. Most biblical scholars would disagree with your comment. There is both internal and external evidence that suggest this pretty strongly. An honest question: Do you think that suggesting a different authorship for those books turns sheep into goats? Would you have any biblical basis to support such a statement? Peace to you

Hey brother. I am happy to hear that you are interested in deepening you faith by investing hundreds of hours and dollars in the academic study of the Bible and theology.. BUT... Given that you mentioned Liberty University (a place where I also wanted to study) I thought I'd shared some quick thoughts about it: In doing a quick research of their website it is clear that they lean pretty fundamentalist, with statements such as "The universe was created in six historical days..." among many others. I would not trust any academic institution that teaches that (as historical fact nor that the Bible teaches that in any shape of form), especially at a graduate level. I can also see that out of the 31 people in leadership, 27 are white males...that is also something I would definitely stay away from. Those are my thoughts. Let me know what you decide to do my friend. Peace to you

@@OctavioMoss I was gonna go there because they are affordable you know. A masters in apologetics for instance would be about 9k vs almost 30k Do you having any recommendations that are affordable. I was also considering SES since they have a focus on Apologetics.

I want to study Christian theology online and preferably free. Please kindly recommend. Thanks

haha..Hey brother, thanks for your kind words. I totally agree with you about the intuition. Intuition tends to be in the driver's seat and this is true of most things we do, and for good reason. Peace my friend

My absolute pleasure my friend

I am not sure I totally understand your question BUT you have to take languages (Greek, Hebrew) history, exegesis, hemeneutics, ,etc. and , of course, theology. Most schools have their required courses like Old Testament Foundations, New Testament Foundations, History I, etc. but you are, for the most part, able to choose your courses as well. Peace my friend

@OctavioMoss that answered my question thank you. I didn't realize you had to take the language classes.

@@thomasK411 you normally have to take at least one.

Hey Dennis, nice to meet you. I graduated from my Masters and I currently work as a pastor here in Vancouver

Realizing that every human being has a bias including biblical authors - was a rude awakening for me, I totally get you

My absolute privilege and pleasure Victor. Peace to you brother

Blessings brother

Hey. My pleasure? What and where are you studying?

Greetings. I began my undergrad at a Bible college and finished it online. Each had its merit. As a mature student holding down a full-time job the online experience was most beneficial and less expensive. The college experience was costly and I have long since lost tract of the folks I had met. If I can offer a bit of advice it would be this. Choose the program that allows you the most flexibility with the rest of your work, family, and worship life. If your theology is already settled choose a denominational school where you will mix with people of like mind. All schools are bent to certain tenants in what they teach, so beware their doctrinal statements. Lastly, are their programs biblical in nature or philosophical and psychological. Seminarians beware! May God bless you in your efforts.

❤

thanks....Sending much love your way

Wonderful

6 hrs! Congrats! What are your plans now? Are you looking to be a pastor at a particular denomination?

@OctavioMoss I am currently serving as pastor of a congregation where I have been for twenty-nine years. My degree concentration is chaplaincy.

@@alexandersmith9385 Chaplaincy....hats off to you brother

Great to have you here ❣

😄😄.. I would've wanted to have the graduated me or the graduated you telling me all these things at the beginning as well

Bless you brother

Man...a Masters after a Doctorate. Hats of to you. All the best in your endeavours. Peace my friend

@@OctavioMoss Thanks

Hey man, thanks. Are you in seminary right now?

@@OctavioMoss I am but I was also thinking of switching to social work because I thought maybe chaplaincy isn’t for me.

@@OctavioMoss any helpful insight? I just want to supply for my family but I also want to serve Jesus

@@Yechurchonline chaplaincy is hard work, definitely and not well paid. My wife is actually thinking about a Masters in Social work. Unfortunately I have no insight for you yet...

@@OctavioMoss ok thanks

Hey Michael. Thanks. The thing is that this is a holistic shock in terms of your social interactions, your idealized ideas of Christianity from all over the world, a new country, different weather, how dumb you feel after thinking you knew more that you actually did, the shacking of your life's foundation, etc. Are you thinking about studying in the future?

@@OctavioMoss I’m at an age where I’m about to retire. I’m trying to find a way back into Christianity through the study of theology. I went from extremely conservative belief to a liberal deconstruction church experience and lost all belief. I’m trying to find some doors that will give me back the comfort and awe of faith without compromising my intelligence and sense of wonder.

@@michaelhipps4430 I totally get you my friend...that is a very tender place but a place that is full of potential. Academic studies gave me some great tools for my deconstruction period, a period that has not ended yet btw. Who are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to?

My pleasure my friend. Peace to you

Hey 150! Thanks for your comment. Looking forward to interacting with you some more. Where did you study?

Hey! Good to hear that you are pursuing theological studies. I think graduated with a GPA of a little under 3.4. But I graduated with an artistic project (a rock album. You can find it under Octavio Moss - Holy Ground), not a thesis. So if I would want to pursue a Doctorate I would have to get a ThM first and then apply.

You are right, my background was in music production and engineering. I did not have an undergrad in theology. So, as you can see, it’s totally doable. If you like it and you are true to your personal questions you will be more than alright :). You got this…