"Dear brothers and sisters, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind" (1 Cor. 14:20, NLT).
Theology is called the queen of sciences and is not an abstract study nor a so-called "fool's errand of speculation", but down to earth, systematic, and relevant; it is in the application that the power is apparent. All Scripture has theological undertones and significance (Note 2 Tim. 3:16, KJV, emphasis added, "All Scripture is given inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine..."). Childish faith balks at in-depth study, and thrives on the milk, without ever maturing to solid food!
Charles Darwin attempted to become a preacher, before becoming embittered by the death of his father and was quite impressed with a book by William Paley, called Natural Theology. In it, there is proof of God's existence, including the "argument from design." For example, if you found a watch in the middle of a forest, you'd assume someone put it there, and even that someone made it and designed it, due to a design--voila--a Designer! Now we've proved God's existence indirectly. Men have no excuse for disbelieving in Him, there is ample evidence for anyone willing to do His will. Even Bertrand Russell, the most famous atheist of the UK and of the twentieth century probably, was asked if he found out there was a God, what he'd tell Him: "Why didn't you give us more evidence?" There is never enough evidence for the skeptic; note that Russell admitted that there was indeed evidence!
There is great inherent value in doctrine because it essentially means teaching; we are to disseminate sound doctrine according to Titus 2:1. You can have a sound theology, though, and not a sound spiritual life; however, without sound theology, in its essential and non-negotiable aspects, you cannot have a sound Christian life. It's not a matter of being good at theology or thinking that if you know some theology, you are better, and others are poor specimens of the faith. We are all theologians by any definition of the term; it's not a matter of semantics--all Christendom should be on the same page here!
We need to know the scoop or the lowdown in order to live right. Our actions and beliefs are interrelated and correlated. Scripture says that in the latter days, some will bail out theologically, and no longer listen to sound teaching (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3). Nonbelievers are defined as those who reject the truth in Romans 2:8, but God is able to open their eyes and show them the light when the day dawns and the morning star arises in their hearts (cf. 2 Pet. 1:19). There is no "secret knowledge" like the Gnostics (those in the "know") taught, but everything God wants us to know and all we need is written in the Word. The things hidden are not in the Apocrypha ("hidden"), but they don't belong to us at all (cf. Deut. 29:29).
Theologians, or those who make theology their pursuit, are an unpopular breed. They get a bad rap and this is with all due respect because there are so many false teachers out there. We cannot reject theology, for that would be spiritual suicide in rejecting the knowledge of God--it's no option! One of the signs of the last days is the rise of false prophets and/or teachers saying what the people want to hear with their itching ears.
There is also natural law (sometimes called transcendent law from God) that all men are aware of in their God-given conscience, and they have no excuse for not knowing basic right and wrong--it's not social custom nor inherited by genes, but granted by God's common grace to all men. Paul says to look to creation and you will see that man has no excuse (Romans 1:20, NLT, says, "... So they have no excuse for not knowing God"). However, though there are many "proofs" for God, it cannot be done scientifically, for those who will only believe what science posits: God is outside the domain of science, because He is unseen, immeasurable, and infinite, meaning you cannot define nor confine Him for experimental research with laboratory conditions. God demands faith, and so the only absolute proof of God is by experience, knowing Him personally by invitation. You cannot know without any reservation that there is a God, except that He came to earth and revealed Himself to us--Jesus is all the theology we need (i.e., knowing Him is where it's at).
Just because there is bad theology, doesn't mean we can avoid it or reject it. There is also good theology and you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! Bad theology needs to be answered. We do have the option to reject biblical knowledge as believers, for this is ultimately rejecting God. The wise are hungry for the truth (cf. Prov. 15:14), and knowledge is found on their lips since they store it up. We are commanded to "study to show yourself approved unto God," and this implies we are to become students of the Word and ready apologists for the Lord. The elders and deacons are to have the ability to refute false doctrine and defend the faith (cf. Titus 1:9, NKJV, which says, "[Holding] fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict").
And so, it's not "those theologians!" It's "what kind of theologian are you?" Just like we are all preachers and Good Samaritans, even if it's not our gift, we are to study the Word systematically, if possible, and to learn to discern truth from error and discern the solid food of the Word, not surviving solely on the milk of the Word. All theology was designed to be understood with the mind (we have the mind of Christ and illuminating ministry of the Spirit), and theology is said to enter the heart via the mind, not vice versa.
And in conclusion, doctrine or theology is necessary for healthy spiritual growth, but not sufficient: the fact that our hearts be right is more important than what school of theology we subscribe to. Our doctrine doesn't need to be impeccably correct, but our heart needs to be in the right place! Scripture, however, does teach both the primacy of the heart and of the mind--God wants us to understand the Word! The mere presentation of doctrine can leave a person cold and seem farfetched to the spiritually naive because it must be enlightened by the Spirit and done in the right way, not just as an intellectual exercise! We are not called to make converts to our school of theology, and God won't even ask us what we held so dear doctrine-wise, but to be held accountable for our works, when the final audit of our life's work is done. Soli Deo Gloria!
Theology is called the queen of sciences and is not an abstract study nor a so-called "fool's errand of speculation", but down to earth, systematic, and relevant; it is in the application that the power is apparent. All Scripture has theological undertones and significance (Note 2 Tim. 3:16, KJV, emphasis added, "All Scripture is given inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine..."). Childish faith balks at in-depth study, and thrives on the milk, without ever maturing to solid food!
Charles Darwin attempted to become a preacher, before becoming embittered by the death of his father and was quite impressed with a book by William Paley, called Natural Theology. In it, there is proof of God's existence, including the "argument from design." For example, if you found a watch in the middle of a forest, you'd assume someone put it there, and even that someone made it and designed it, due to a design--voila--a Designer! Now we've proved God's existence indirectly. Men have no excuse for disbelieving in Him, there is ample evidence for anyone willing to do His will. Even Bertrand Russell, the most famous atheist of the UK and of the twentieth century probably, was asked if he found out there was a God, what he'd tell Him: "Why didn't you give us more evidence?" There is never enough evidence for the skeptic; note that Russell admitted that there was indeed evidence!
There is great inherent value in doctrine because it essentially means teaching; we are to disseminate sound doctrine according to Titus 2:1. You can have a sound theology, though, and not a sound spiritual life; however, without sound theology, in its essential and non-negotiable aspects, you cannot have a sound Christian life. It's not a matter of being good at theology or thinking that if you know some theology, you are better, and others are poor specimens of the faith. We are all theologians by any definition of the term; it's not a matter of semantics--all Christendom should be on the same page here!
We need to know the scoop or the lowdown in order to live right. Our actions and beliefs are interrelated and correlated. Scripture says that in the latter days, some will bail out theologically, and no longer listen to sound teaching (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3). Nonbelievers are defined as those who reject the truth in Romans 2:8, but God is able to open their eyes and show them the light when the day dawns and the morning star arises in their hearts (cf. 2 Pet. 1:19). There is no "secret knowledge" like the Gnostics (those in the "know") taught, but everything God wants us to know and all we need is written in the Word. The things hidden are not in the Apocrypha ("hidden"), but they don't belong to us at all (cf. Deut. 29:29).
Theologians, or those who make theology their pursuit, are an unpopular breed. They get a bad rap and this is with all due respect because there are so many false teachers out there. We cannot reject theology, for that would be spiritual suicide in rejecting the knowledge of God--it's no option! One of the signs of the last days is the rise of false prophets and/or teachers saying what the people want to hear with their itching ears.
There is also natural law (sometimes called transcendent law from God) that all men are aware of in their God-given conscience, and they have no excuse for not knowing basic right and wrong--it's not social custom nor inherited by genes, but granted by God's common grace to all men. Paul says to look to creation and you will see that man has no excuse (Romans 1:20, NLT, says, "... So they have no excuse for not knowing God"). However, though there are many "proofs" for God, it cannot be done scientifically, for those who will only believe what science posits: God is outside the domain of science, because He is unseen, immeasurable, and infinite, meaning you cannot define nor confine Him for experimental research with laboratory conditions. God demands faith, and so the only absolute proof of God is by experience, knowing Him personally by invitation. You cannot know without any reservation that there is a God, except that He came to earth and revealed Himself to us--Jesus is all the theology we need (i.e., knowing Him is where it's at).
Just because there is bad theology, doesn't mean we can avoid it or reject it. There is also good theology and you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! Bad theology needs to be answered. We do have the option to reject biblical knowledge as believers, for this is ultimately rejecting God. The wise are hungry for the truth (cf. Prov. 15:14), and knowledge is found on their lips since they store it up. We are commanded to "study to show yourself approved unto God," and this implies we are to become students of the Word and ready apologists for the Lord. The elders and deacons are to have the ability to refute false doctrine and defend the faith (cf. Titus 1:9, NKJV, which says, "[Holding] fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict").
And so, it's not "those theologians!" It's "what kind of theologian are you?" Just like we are all preachers and Good Samaritans, even if it's not our gift, we are to study the Word systematically, if possible, and to learn to discern truth from error and discern the solid food of the Word, not surviving solely on the milk of the Word. All theology was designed to be understood with the mind (we have the mind of Christ and illuminating ministry of the Spirit), and theology is said to enter the heart via the mind, not vice versa.
And in conclusion, doctrine or theology is necessary for healthy spiritual growth, but not sufficient: the fact that our hearts be right is more important than what school of theology we subscribe to. Our doctrine doesn't need to be impeccably correct, but our heart needs to be in the right place! Scripture, however, does teach both the primacy of the heart and of the mind--God wants us to understand the Word! The mere presentation of doctrine can leave a person cold and seem farfetched to the spiritually naive because it must be enlightened by the Spirit and done in the right way, not just as an intellectual exercise! We are not called to make converts to our school of theology, and God won't even ask us what we held so dear doctrine-wise, but to be held accountable for our works, when the final audit of our life's work is done. Soli Deo Gloria!
No comments:
Post a Comment