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We are warned against any private interpretations of the scriptures. But we are all interpreters of the bible. The bible is an ancient book not written in English (sorry KJVO guys ). There are ancient manners and customs much different than ours. There are figures of speech, Hebrew idioms, symbolic language, (dare I say the word hyperbole), apocalyptic images. All of these require us to properly interpret and apply them responsibly.

So glad you called it

If it was up to OTCP, they would be some additional requirements fer every new minister and some ongoing trainin to maintain one's credentials. A feller wouldn't necessarily have to have a academic degree, but my goodness an all, a feller oughtta know the difference in a jot an a tittle for he commences pastorin. An the longer he pastors, the more trainin/knowledge he oughtta acquire. Remember several assemblies ago when the issue came up regarding continuing education in order to maintain one's ministerial credentials? I voted in favor of it. It was overwhelmingly defeated. So many of our credentialed men/women don't want any further requirements. Some of em don't even read their Bibles enough to qualify to preach. How is this knowed? Listen to em! For so many, their bread/butter is what Jentezen or Rod or Perry preached on last week, an they rehash it the next Sunday.

It's funny to me how the KJV only guys will read scripture and then proceed to interpret it. I guess as long as they don't write it down and sell it as a Bible, they're ok.

I remember it well and I was in favor of it. One of the problems is some ministers view anointing and education as mutually exclusive. As if somehow education would supplant the need for prayer and the Spirit's power. Another problem is that many among us are just downright lazy. There are plenty of cost-effective solutions to help ministers continue their education. As you said, it doesn't have to be in a formal academic setting. But it needs to be addressed.

Things are much different now

than when I entered the ministry 40 years ago.The big issue back then was did I pay into the minister's retirement fund and had I conducted 2 weeks revival (Incidentally, you should have seen and heard the reaction when I answered no to both).At one time I served on the Ordination Examination Board and frankly I believed it was too easy to acquire the order of Bishop.Today, each candidate should be given a specific doctrine of the church, present a written paper, and then an oral presentation followed by questions from the examination board.It is different now. Our congregations (for the most part) can be more educated than their pastors. Shouldn't be.Yet, I still believe God can use an anointed man or woman regardless of their education. If he or she is going to stand before an congregation week after week, however, he or she had better know their subject long before they enter the pulpit God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led

Listen to my Podcast entitled The Evidence of Things Not Seen for my views on Bible interpretation. Specifically, what the Bible says about itself I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!My website: www.bradfreeman.comMy blog: bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/