Just because men are forgiven sinners, they are NOT perfect and therefore their interpretations of the Scriptures will never be perfect. Close but not perfect. We have to remember that its not the scriptures that are corrupted. Its a man’s heart that is corrupted, even forgiven sinners (Christians). There are so many who will proclaim to be a Christian but only few are really Christians. There are millions of professing Christians who “think” they have been justified, who think their sins are forgiven and that they are on their way to heaven, who show no evidence of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Many Christians are unthinkably horrified when a real sinner is suddenly discovered among the righteous. So we remain alone with our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy.

Thinking theologically is a tough thing to do. There are times that I deal with my own “theological bias”. I was victimized because I grew up in a certain theological system and I become indoctrinated by what I have learned over the years that I have struggled by defending what I have learned and can’t seem to let go of it.

Discernment encouraged me to examine my own beliefs. When I was younger, I believed in certain doctrines but now that I am spiritually matured, I have learned the proper doctrines through many sources. When I was researching LCMS’s website about Holy Scriptures, I saw what I like “the necessity and importance of praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to properly interpret Scripture as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.

I am learning every day to be careful how I read and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than our own educational satisfaction. To be heavenly-minded we must think heavenly thoughts. We ourselves must keep in mind, and those we who are disciples, that truth is greater than our understanding of it.

To this day for almost 40 years, I never met a Christian who agrees with my beliefs 100% and I also have not met a Christian who I agree with their beliefs 100%. Including my own wife, my parents and even my Christian mentor.

I have been a Baptist for the first 15 years of my life and during those years, I went to a Catholic School for 7 years. In my adult life, I attended Anabaptist for many, many years. During those years, I followed Reformed theologies which lead me to Presbyterian Church in America before attending Lutheran (LCMS). One reason (of many) is that I found that I agree with Lutheran’s doctrines than I realized. I have studied various theologians from different backgrounds. Some are Reformed theologians (i.e. Calvinism) and some are not reformed (i.e. Arminianism). No Priests, Pastors, Theologians or anyone with similar titles are NOT perfect. They were all sinners and had their share of mistakes. I can see why there are “divisions” within Christianity. Most Christian denominations and movements share common beliefs in the major aspects of the Christian faith, while differing in many secondary doctrines. Christians believe what the Bible teaches in context which are the basics of what Christians believe and unite on.

Grace provides a belief and a conviction that changes your life, changes the way you are, it affects your character and your will. I will always remember C.S. Lewis’ quote: “You never know how much you really believe anything until truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.” It is important to understand that our hearts are the state of our “flesh”. We can learn from others who believe such doctrines and examine our own. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and convict us the truth. Often flesh’s desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth.

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