I didn’t come to theological education with a checklist. I came with a hunger—for spiritual insight, for deeper understanding, for a richer walk with Christ. But somewhere along the way, that hunger met a wall of skepticism. Instead of being spiritually fed, I found myself spiritually starved.
In several Bible courses, I encountered a recurring theme: doubt. Doubt about authorship, doubt about historical accuracy, doubt about divine inspiration. The Scriptures I had cherished were dissected like ancient artifacts, not revered as living truth. Discussions revolved around hypothetical documents like “Q,” theories of pagan influence, and whether Paul, Peter, or James really wrote the texts attributed to them.
It felt like wrangling over words—exactly what Paul warned Timothy to avoid (2 Tim 2:14). Instead of divine training known by faith, I was offered speculation dressed as scholarship (1 Tim 1:3–4). And I had to ask myself: What do I truly believe about the Scriptures?
Clarifying Conviction in a Sea of Speculation
This academic tension forced me to clarify my convictions. I believe Scripture is inspired by God, preserved by the Holy Spirit, and sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). I believe Peter’s testimony wasn’t a cleverly devised myth but the account of an eyewitness to Christ’s majesty (2 Pet 1:16). I believe the Holy Spirit that inspired the apostles is the same Spirit that guides believers today.
As a pastor, I carry the weight of teaching others. James reminds us that teachers will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1). That’s not just a warning—it’s a call to integrity. If I’m going to lead others, I must be rooted in truth, not tossed by academic trends.
Scripture: Sacred, Not Speculative
The Bible is not a buffet where we pick what comforts us and skip what convicts us. It’s not a myth stitched together from cultural fragments. It’s the breath of God, alive and active, shaping hearts and guiding lives.
Yes, we don’t have the original manuscripts. But we have the Spirit. And we have a God who is truth, a Savior who is the truth, and a Spirit who leads us into truth. Why would our Father give us a book we couldn’t trust?
Where Do We Go From Here?
This journey hasn’t led me to new academic insights. It’s led me back to the basics: daily prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, sacraments. The practices John Wesley emphasized—personal piety and social holiness—don’t hinge on who wrote what and when. They hinge on the Word before us and the Spirit within us.
So I choose to be a person of one book. Not because I reject scholarship, but because I refuse to let speculation rob me of sacred truth. I choose to teach Scripture as the living Word of God, not a historical puzzle. I choose to feed my congregation with conviction, not confusion.
Final Thought
If you’re walking through theological education and feeling disoriented, you’re not alone. But don’t let academic speculation shake your foundation. Let it drive you deeper into conviction. Let it refine your faith, not erode it.
Because in the end, our calling isn’t to win debates. It’s
to preach the Word. In season and out. With patience and careful instruction.
With hearts anchored in truth and lives shaped by grace.
Let’s be people of one book. And let that book be the living
Word of God.
