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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Man's understanding is not always God's | Prov 21:2 | EdB | 233607 | ||
"Let us put theology out of religion. Theology has always sent the worst to heaven, the best to hell." Robert Green Ingersol | ||||||
2 | Man's understanding is not always God's | Prov 21:2 | BradK | 233612 | ||
Hello Ed, I agree with Tim. Ingersoll's motives are suspect and he's much to broad in attempting to castigate theology. His statement reminds me of the often repeated, "don't give me theology, just give me Jesus" First, defining Theology itself is relatively simple. It can basically be termed as, “The study or science of God.” Augustine said it is, “Rational discussion respecting the diety”. Theopedia.com provides this more formal definition: “Theology (from the Greek theos - God - and logos - word or reason) is reasoned discourse concerning God. More specifically, Christian theology is the rational study and understanding of the nature of God and doctrines of the Christian faith based on the God's revelation of Himself, chiefly found in the Bible.” This is an easy, straight-forward answer to the question. In fairness, we should also address the negative- why doesn’t theology matter. Or, at least, not so much anymore. Perhaps I could term it why theology appears irrelevant in our churches. It’s important to consider and thereby understand some of the causes behind this apathy toward theology. Based on my experience, I can see at least two contributing causes for this declining interest: One, The problem of Biblical Illiteracy and two; the declining ability to think critically. William Evans noted this in his 1922 book, “What Every Christian Should Believe”, by saying “The ignorance among Christians regarding the fundamental doctrines of their faith is surprisingly great, widespread, and alarming. Definite knowledge and instruction in others and far less important spheres of life are being insisted upon; why not, then, in the highest realm- that of a man’s religion." A pastor who downplays theology is either ignorant of what theology is, or he is deceived in thinking that the wisdom of our world (e.g., pragmatism of some sort or other, in all probability) is the key to our people’s betterment. But A. W. Tozer is right: What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us!” Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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3 | Man's understanding is not always God's | Prov 21:2 | EdB | 233614 | ||
Bradk Hi I agree with what you said and Tozer is right what comes to our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us. However Theology is not to be based on what we think of God but rather on what scripture reveals to us of God. However my focus was more on the aspect of theology that divides Christianity. I believe nothing as stated in scripture divides Christianity. I further believe to say otherwise is to say God intended division even in light of the fact that Jesus prayed for unity in the church. Division we see in the 3000 plus denominations comes only when we apply to that scripture what man has branded as "theology" which is natural man's feeble attempt to explain a supernatural God. And I also believe pride not truth keeps us divided. |
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4 | Man's understanding is not always God's | Prov 21:2 | EdB | 233615 | ||
Sorry for my poor sentence construction. the second "however" should be a "therefore." Since I already know I can't walk and chew gum at the same time I shouldn't try to think and type at the same time either. I really must learn to gather my thoughts and put them together logically and grammatically first on Word and then copy my post to the forum. |
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