@theorytoe @MK2boogaloo
> not some gigabrained theologian just some guy trying to live life right

I think that is where we all are at lol. Living life right, ahh it is just a very non-linear problem.

So far as I am concerned, starting and keeping a dialog relationship with Jesus, is where you start, stay, and finish your journey with God.

You are your own expert. And, be weary of experts. I'm sitting on a lot of authoritative commentaries and lectures, and nearly 100% of it is crap. Even the Luther stuff I like is about 80% crap.

The people that earn the approval of a formal institution on theology (or diligently study the same material) are by and large more screwed up and farther from God than your average person.