Chuck Swindoll writes of the value of "knowing the scoop." Presumably, people think that ignorance is bliss. Contrariwise, it is the knowledge that gives power and freedom. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." We must strive to know our "way around the block theologically speaking." "Tunnel vision" is when we don't see the BIG PICTURE, and that is why knowing all the basic Bible doctrine is important. The Bible is not written out as theology or systematic theology, but one is expected to study it here and there. Also, God never teaches us something just for ourselves. The more we pass on the more He gives us.
The Bible was not meant to increase our knowledge so much as to change our lives. Knowledge can indeed be dangerous, as Swindoll maintains, and especially when not mixed with love and grace. We can become intolerant of those not as informed as we are and think we are superior and they are "poor specimens." "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." (cf. 1 Cor. 8:1) Apollos was a great man in the Word and it is said that he had his theology "honed to perfection" so that he could "deliver the goods." We become balanced by seeing the big picture and being educated in the deeper things of God. God doesn't want us to be ignorant nor infants in Christ who balk at learning the deeper truths--which is childish.
Remember that it says in Scripture, "what Jesus began to do and to teach." They are linked together: Theory and practice; doctrine and ethics; orthodoxy and orthopraxy (right action); idealism and pragmatism; thinking and praxeology (right behavior). I never said that doctrine would be entertaining, but it is necessary. We can never get enough because we will never fully comprehend God; though we can know Him personally.
Beware of the temptation of "doctrinal indifferentism," since in the last days many will "bailout theologically" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1). It was Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam that thought theology was the bugbear of the Church's life. It is ignorance that binds us, not knowledge. In summary, Swindoll says that knowledge and confidence are like Siamese twins, they are forever linked--like Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power" (cf. Prov. 25:4). Soli Deo Gloria!
The Bible was not meant to increase our knowledge so much as to change our lives. Knowledge can indeed be dangerous, as Swindoll maintains, and especially when not mixed with love and grace. We can become intolerant of those not as informed as we are and think we are superior and they are "poor specimens." "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." (cf. 1 Cor. 8:1) Apollos was a great man in the Word and it is said that he had his theology "honed to perfection" so that he could "deliver the goods." We become balanced by seeing the big picture and being educated in the deeper things of God. God doesn't want us to be ignorant nor infants in Christ who balk at learning the deeper truths--which is childish.
Remember that it says in Scripture, "what Jesus began to do and to teach." They are linked together: Theory and practice; doctrine and ethics; orthodoxy and orthopraxy (right action); idealism and pragmatism; thinking and praxeology (right behavior). I never said that doctrine would be entertaining, but it is necessary. We can never get enough because we will never fully comprehend God; though we can know Him personally.
Beware of the temptation of "doctrinal indifferentism," since in the last days many will "bailout theologically" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1). It was Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam that thought theology was the bugbear of the Church's life. It is ignorance that binds us, not knowledge. In summary, Swindoll says that knowledge and confidence are like Siamese twins, they are forever linked--like Sir Francis Bacon said, "Knowledge is power" (cf. Prov. 25:4). Soli Deo Gloria!
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