Steve's lectures...

Post by **_SoaringEagle** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:41 pm

Steve, (or anyone else),

I have heard you mention that you have changed your mind many times about what you believe the bible teaches about various subjects, or something to that effect. So I have a question. Is there any lectures of yours that you no hold as true, or ones that you used to believe but your views on them now have been revised or are changed? I was curious as to this, and wanted to know before I start listening to them in a more systematic way. Thanks,

Troy

Post by **_Steve** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:38 am

The lectures at the website span a very long period of time. A few go back as far as the eighties. My views on some points have changed in that period of time, though I don't know which lectures may or may not contain statements about those subjects. I don't have the time to listen to all the lectures to find out, since there are nearly a thousand of them posted (I remember, a few years ago, hearing something on the introductory lecture to the ten commandments serie,s at digitalministries.us, with which I no longer agreed, though I would have to listen again to remember what it was). In general, the lectures at my website were taught in the late 90's, after which I have experienced few refinements in my thinking. At Tom's site (digitalministries.us), he has post many newer lectures (from the 2000's) as well as older ones (some from the 80's). He does not always let me know what he is going to post, so I don't always have a chance to listen to or approve specific lectures he posts.

Hopefully, I will never stop learning, which means that even in my current lectures may contain statements that I will someday not wish to stand by. My lectures are not intended to provide the last word on every subject for unthinking students, but I hope that listeners will use discernment when hearing any teacher, including myself. Test all things, and hold fast to that which is good.

I don't have any major problems with anything I have taught in the last 25 years—they would be refinements of what I already believed, rather than any wholesale turnarounds. I am not aware of any error in detail or historical facts in any lectures, but I would interpret some scriptures differently on a few subjects, probably. If anyone hears something on one of my lectures that seems to be wrong and contrary to what you think I now believe, and that you wonder if I still believe, feel free to point it out to me. It would be good for me to know which loectures need to be updated.

Post by **_SamIam** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:26 pm

This is an interesting ethical question.

Since a teacher is responsible (and will be held responsible) for the content of their teaching, what should he do when his convictions change after he has been recorded for all posterity?

Are they responsible to correct previous mis-teaching (assuming that the latter position is a better one to hold)?

Which errors are important enough to correct? Are some errors trivial enough to let pass? How far does one need to go to correct errors?

Has a teacher ever renounced something he previously put in print (or recorded)?

Should we understand all teaching we receive, from whatever source, to come with a disclaimer that we should use it with proper discretion?

M. Storrs

Post by **_TK** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:32 am

Should we understand all teaching we receive, from whatever source, to come with a disclaimer that we should use it with proper discretion?

yes indeed!!

it is not reasonable to expect a bible teacher to go back and re-record years of teaching where his views may have changed somewhat. steve g does a good job of pointing out the various sides of an issue. he also does a good job of supporting what he believes to the the truth. but he always encourages independent study.

I am sure that God understands (and likely expects) that a Christian's views may change over time, either due to maturity, education, or revelation. this applies to teachers as well. if Steve G felt that he could not commit anything to a recording because at some point in the future his views might change to some degree, what a terrible loss that would be to the body of Christ.

TK

Post by **_JC** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:59 am

I teach a weekly bible and really do my homework before each lesson. However, the possibility still exists that I'm teaching something incorrectly. I now use a technique that I picked up from listening to Steve G. If I'm teaching on a topic that is less than clear in the scriptures, I give my "students" every view that I know of and let them decide. This is frustrating for unthinking students because they want to be told what to think. However, I concern myself more with being truthful than with entertaining those who simply intend to parrot whatever I say in class.

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:55 am

I am sure that God understands (and likely expects) that a Christian's views may change over time, either due to maturity, education, or revelation. this applies to teachers as well. if Steve G felt that he could not commit anything to a recording because at some point in the future his views might change to some degree, what a terrible loss that would be to the body of Christ.

Amen, good point TK

Post by **_dexter** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:51 pm

Thanks for your honesty Steve.

I myself is following your verse by verse teachings. I started from Isaiah, Daniel and went back to Genesis. I'm now in the book of Psalms.

I don't hold you accountable if you made mistake because God knows your heart.

But as a student I myself is accountable in filtering the things I learn.

Finally My ultimate teacher is not Steve but the Holy Spirit.