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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 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 |