Re: How to become a scholar?
It is important to note here that scholars are specialists in specific areas. Traditionally and some today would receive ijaza to teach a given topical area, and ijaza would be required for each topic.
If there are some who appear close minded in aspects of Islam outside their own speciality then this is a good sign, because they do not exercise 'freedom' to interpolate' in areas that they have not specialised in.
For the vast majority of Muslims we aught to be fairly hesitant to formulate our own independent understandings, rather we should hold the pursuit of understanding Islam they way appointed scholars have understood it and reflect upon their reflections. If we differ then instead of coining new 'understandings' we aught to go back to specialists in those fields and voice our ideas to them.
For example I have certain ideas regarding interpretation of ayah from the Qur'an, but I cannot put them to the public domain with any authority unless I become a scholar in that particular topic. Namely Arabic Etymology, Morphology, Grammar and Physics (justification).
Peace