How Tall is God? Part 3 (final installment)

There was an excellent question raised in the second post related to how we should "choose" our experts. How should we filter through the talking heads to determine who is right and who is wrong in such a way that we aren't just gravitating toward those that are in agreement with what we have already decided is right and true?

I have a set of criteria that I have put together over the years that I think is objective and safe to accomplish the above.

Anyone that I choose to learn from must....

1. Recognize the innerancy, necessity, sufficiency, absolute authority, and holistic nature of the Scriptures. There is an article on this in Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology" that is excellent (minus the holistic thing). A correct view of the Scriptures is absolutely necessary. The trend of progressive revelation (from Part 1) would call into question each of these attributes of the scriptures.

2. Believe in the Sovereignty of the triune God in all matters of life. This translates to God-centeredness instead of man-centeredness in conversion and Christian living.

3. Have the correct views on the Person and work of Jesus Christ as taught in Scriptures. Specifically related to person hood, his deity and his sinless life (virgin birth is necessary here). Related to the work of Jesus Christ are his Atoning death without which there is NO hope for redemption, and his Imputed Righteousness without which we can achieve no favorable standing with God by our own efforts.

There are other things that are quite important that aren't on this list, but they generally will follow from these three.

I will read and research many other views and learn good stuff even from people that are border-line heretical, but I choose not to spend a whole lot of money and energy picking out the bones when there are countless experts from which to choose and learn from that are putting out nice boneless cuts of truth.

I'd go as far as to suggest that if your criteria is a new one, or if it's drastically different from this one that it will lead to heresy pretty quickly. The pillars of the faith are tested and true. Stand on them, question of them, and grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.