sleep.

it's near 1am and i should be asleep. i am not however.
i am at home alone in this giant house.
tear.

i spent the later part of this evening replying to people in the forum section for my class at DTS. my most recent interaction has been about a recent lecture. I posted this question on the forum:

An interesting question was brought up in lecture four of unit 10. Within this lecture Prof. Krieder makes a point of how he uses a theological grid to basically intrepret experiences. So if someone claims God told them to jump off the roof an objection could be made because it doesn't seem to align with the developed thelogical grid. (not 100% certain God hadn't spoken these words but approaching this figure). The question was how to know if the theological grid is valid, right and true. (if I have misunderstood up to this point, please correct).

This is where my question springs. Prof. Krieder responds the grid is developed within community, and those who taught, etc. I agree. To a certain extent we are products of our environment. However, how do we know what community to emmerse ourselves in? Within any community disagreements will arise. How do we know these are problems which should cause us to look for a different community to emmerse ourselves in? How do we know if we should listen to those who warn us not to come to Dallas because of their dispensational ties? Which community do we listen to? I know by placing myself under certain teachers I will inevitably gleam much of their viewpoint on life. How do we know whose authority to place ourselves under?

It seems many in the church are afraid to commit to one local body because they have difficulties with authority. It's important to engaged, interacting, and learning within a community. But what community? How do you know who is true? Suppose one community upholds international missions/outreach as their top priority, while another focuses more upon the communities heart/healing/prayer.

Does anyone understand what I am asking...? Points of discernment have to be made...and where should the lines be drawn? I suppose this is something every individual needs to determine for themselves while upholding the command for unity within the body. A tricky balance.

I would love to hear anyones thoughts/words/wisdom.

Some interesting responses. Do you guys have enough info to respond? Would love to hear some of your thoughts as well.