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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 | BradK | 233617 | ||
Hello DP Martin, Perhaps you'd desire to clarify and expand upon a couple points you've made in this discussion? You said, "theology is for the theist or deist that believes there is a God but doesn’t know the Lord God, or believes God can not be known." I'm simply curious as to what leads you to say this? Go back to my prior definition, "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." Is there anything lacking in this basic definition- as far as you understand it? I define theology as the study of God rooted in biblical theology You also said, "Christianity has become like a grocery store, where there is a selection of theologies to chose from on the shelf, hence a God of their approval as they see God ought to be." Would you care to expand upon this? What do you mean by "a selection of theologies"? Could you be more specific? I think we need to make a disctinction between theology and doctrine. Again, theology being simply the study of God. Doctrine being composed of the topics within scripture that make up it's teachings. I pose the question: Is theology important? I would propose that we examine three points in an attempt to provide an answer and a basis to explore further. First, how do we define Theology? Second, why(or) does it matter? Third what are the essentials and how do we define them? (Is there a core element within Christianity (Orthodoxy) that we can all agree on? Lastly, If we ask the question of “who is a theologian” there is an immediate broader application. Most of us would agree that, a person who pursues the study of theology would properly be called a ”theologian”. The strict sense of the word has obvious meaning. Many of us would leave it at that. I think much of the prevailing attitude by laity in the church says, “Don’t give me theology, just give me Jesus.” But, is this really an answer? Is it even biblical? James White says it like this: “If you are a Christian, you are a theologian. You have no choice. Theology is simply knowing about God. In fact, since Christians are called to grow in their knowledge of God, part of the very goal of the Christian life is theology. Theology is a normal part of the Christian life- a part that gives rise to everything else.” Some talking points to consider for furher discussion if you desire. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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2 | Man's understanding is not always God's | Prov 21:2 | DPMartin | 233627 | ||
BradK thanks for the reply Augustine (a great man for sure) may have used theology to have "Rational discussion respecting the deity" but rational to who? Talk to and atheist and the existence of God is irrational, but yet the atheist insists on reason, that is in his view rational (or logical). And talk to a true theist and spirit, Holy Spirit, Presence of God in God’s creation and knowing God is irrational, but again the theist who will state that there is a God, will state that knowing God and or His Presence in existence is irrational and is without reason or logic. The location to find such would be philosophy, and theorizing using reason (or logic) in what is reasonable in their own view. The difference is that the priest (Rv:1:6, Rv:5:10, Ex:19:6) is to know God, having a relationship with God, in creation in the world that is shared with the priest’s neighbor. Of which there is no theology required to be fulfilled. As Apostle Paul has said who had much experience with the Greek attitude of reason required. 1Cor:1:22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1Cor:1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Hence Christ is the Power and Wisdom of God, not reason nor rational for it is also said by the Apostle Paul that God chose the foolishness of preaching rather than the reasoning of men. (1Cor:1:21) And it would be appropriately so because if it requires reasoning of men or rational of men to be saved, then men would declare their own salvation, and fool themselves in to believing they can save themselves and keep themselves from death. The Lord God is not required to meet anyone’s reason or reasoning in order to be, and do as He sees fit. One should hope one can present reason why the Lord God should let him live in God’s Presence, and the Truth is the reason the Lord God would, is something the Lord God provided in Jesus Christ. Therefore reasons and reasoning is not required for salvation, it is Righteousness that delivers from death (Prov:10:2, Prov:11:4), of which is only of God. Needless to say, 1Cor:1-2 is pocked full of what Paul has to say about Wisdom of God versus wisdom of men. The study or science which treats of God, His nature and attributes, and His relations with man and the universe; ‘the science of things divine’; divinity. Maybe interesting for those who do not know the Lord God, speculating like news media before an anticipated event or conclusion, but its speculation at best. The True God, is revealed with those He is with, and so is His nature and attributes, of which there is no speculation only belief and trust. Don’t believe me? Then look at the Bible, a documentation of a people experiencing the Presence of the Almighty with them. |
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