I guess it comes with the territory of a theologian to be boring--ennui you might say. Everyone wants what's practical and not what is true to Scripture. The Bible says that in the last days many will "bailout theologically", maybe a bunch of "do-gooders" who aren't really interested in knowing the true God. This is spiritual suicide, because you can have sound doctrine without a sound life, but not a sound life without sound doctrine. We are all theologians, as it were, and the way we interpret Scripture has a lot to do with our ethics (orthodoxy and orthopraxy). Hos 4:6 says: "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Is 5:13 says: "For this reason, they go into captivity because they lack knowledge."
Some people think ignorance is bliss, but au contraire--knowledge is power (says Prov. 24:5); it is ignorance that binds us not knowledge. There is value to knowing the scoop, and getting the "big picture;" to whet one's appetite is progress. We have so-called "tunnel vision" (not seeing the forest for the trees) without knowing basic Bible doctrine and can "twist the Scriptures to [our own] destruction."
We need to recognize fallacious doctrine like the "perpetual virginity of Mary" and have no preconceived ideas. If we have no presuppositions we can have a better chance of arriving at the truth. That means we must have a teachable spirit. We take an open mind, a willing spirit and a needy or thirsty heart (or teachable spirit, receptive mind, and obedient heart), to Scripture to have it speak to us. Doctrine gives substance to faith and biblical savvy is a fortification in the angelic conflict and war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Knowing doctrine is like having our antennae sensitized. It gives mental stability. As long as we "keep the main thing the main thing": In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (St. Augustine's dictum). It is a childish faith that "balks at learning the things of God in depth," says R. C. Sproul.
Once we know our way around the block theology-wise we can "deliver the goods" as we hone our skills. Doctrine is not blasé or dull; it is the foundation upon which our interpretation rests and the superstructures are built. We need to improve doctrine's reputation and realize that it is just "teaching" and basically it what the Bible teaches dogmatically. It is not an application like promises, commands, warnings, examples, but principals to have faith in. To be mighty in the Scripture like Apollos we need a frame of reference or a worldview, so to speak.
We can "add a cup of discernment" when we know doctrine--if you only drink of one fountain, you will lose it, according to Chuck Swindoll. But we must never be intolerant of those we disagree with, or what we have is "truth gone to seed." Remember, no one has a monopoly on the truth or has cornered the market. The Bible itself is profitable for doctrine and the measures up where we don't. Soli Deo Gloria!
Some people think ignorance is bliss, but au contraire--knowledge is power (says Prov. 24:5); it is ignorance that binds us not knowledge. There is value to knowing the scoop, and getting the "big picture;" to whet one's appetite is progress. We have so-called "tunnel vision" (not seeing the forest for the trees) without knowing basic Bible doctrine and can "twist the Scriptures to [our own] destruction."
We need to recognize fallacious doctrine like the "perpetual virginity of Mary" and have no preconceived ideas. If we have no presuppositions we can have a better chance of arriving at the truth. That means we must have a teachable spirit. We take an open mind, a willing spirit and a needy or thirsty heart (or teachable spirit, receptive mind, and obedient heart), to Scripture to have it speak to us. Doctrine gives substance to faith and biblical savvy is a fortification in the angelic conflict and war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Knowing doctrine is like having our antennae sensitized. It gives mental stability. As long as we "keep the main thing the main thing": In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (St. Augustine's dictum). It is a childish faith that "balks at learning the things of God in depth," says R. C. Sproul.
Once we know our way around the block theology-wise we can "deliver the goods" as we hone our skills. Doctrine is not blasé or dull; it is the foundation upon which our interpretation rests and the superstructures are built. We need to improve doctrine's reputation and realize that it is just "teaching" and basically it what the Bible teaches dogmatically. It is not an application like promises, commands, warnings, examples, but principals to have faith in. To be mighty in the Scripture like Apollos we need a frame of reference or a worldview, so to speak.
We can "add a cup of discernment" when we know doctrine--if you only drink of one fountain, you will lose it, according to Chuck Swindoll. But we must never be intolerant of those we disagree with, or what we have is "truth gone to seed." Remember, no one has a monopoly on the truth or has cornered the market. The Bible itself is profitable for doctrine and the measures up where we don't. Soli Deo Gloria!
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