Some opinions you hold for years, without ever questioning the foundation for your beliefs. That was certainly true of my view of how to develop sound doctrine. It was absolutely clear to me that I was to use my mind to think about the Scriptures, reading them, studying them, memorizing them, and collating them into systems of truth that made sense to me. The result of this cognitive analysis would undoubtedly be sound doctrine. This process is so common and accepted that for many years I never stopped to question it. There didn't seem to be any possibility that it wasn't the right methodology. However, I am now convinced that it is a deceptive course, for it results in man's knowledge, based on man's ability and man's perspective, which is often formed in man's culture. the Bible is even clear to speak against this process, warning, "Lean not to your own understanding, [but] in all your ways acknowledge Him..." for His thoughts are higher than your thoughts and His ways higher than your ways (Prov. 3:5 and Is. 55:9).