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NASB | Proverbs 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. [Prov 24:12; Luke 16:15] |
Subject: Man's understanding is not always God's |
Bible Note: 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 |