Theology must relate to scripture. Theology comes from scripture. Too often it seems that it is felt that if scripture is quoted or cited then theology is being done scriptural.
Too often in current theology, however, scriptural quotations simply have no relation to the message being written. Or the verse quoted is taken out of context of the message of the text the verse comes from.
We should always seek to be faithful to the meaning of scripture.
Showing posts with label theology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theology. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Friday, October 23, 2015
What is Clear
Often there are many events in scripture where the main historical events are clearly described, but some of the details are left out. Scripture is written for our edification and growth not to satisfy every curiosity we have.
Often there is debate about the minor details of what happened in a text. The debate usually misses the point. Scripture did not care to elaborate on the details.
We want to speculate what all the minor nuances of the event are. We are confused because we miss the point that scripture has told us all we need to know.
It is not that scripture could not have given us more details. But the untold details are not relevant the the point of the text.
It is especially unfortunate when Christians want to argue about the details of a text which the text does not have concern about.
We always need to keep the focus in theology on what scripture finds important. When we feel that scripture lacks something which we would wish to know we need to realize that scripture was created as it is for a reason.
God has withheld nothing good from us. Even though our sinful nature at times feels that God has withheld things from us.
Often there is debate about the minor details of what happened in a text. The debate usually misses the point. Scripture did not care to elaborate on the details.
We want to speculate what all the minor nuances of the event are. We are confused because we miss the point that scripture has told us all we need to know.
It is not that scripture could not have given us more details. But the untold details are not relevant the the point of the text.
It is especially unfortunate when Christians want to argue about the details of a text which the text does not have concern about.
We always need to keep the focus in theology on what scripture finds important. When we feel that scripture lacks something which we would wish to know we need to realize that scripture was created as it is for a reason.
God has withheld nothing good from us. Even though our sinful nature at times feels that God has withheld things from us.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Known for Their Love
The theology that a person holds often greatly impacts that person's view and actions in life, and this leads some people to feel a justification to always correct a person for any minor theological differences. They'll confront perfect strangers to, as they would say, stand for the truth. They view this as loving, because they think that if the person only holds that view then that person's life would be so much better.
But the great flaw in that is it rejects the fundamentals of how relationships work, or how to get to know and help people works--of how to be loving. If you tell a stranger, or someone you haven't truly tried to get to know or know their viewpoint well, that you think they are terribly wrong on something, what would you expect? All that is communicated there is that one person has wanted to skip the part of getting to know someone and has jumped into telling that person what to do.
Relationships shouldn't be about trying to correct another person or force them to be a certain way. It's about getting to know and appreciate them, and possibly at certain moments--very rare moments, most likely when they ask for advice--that's mostly when a relationship can include this aim to help another see and possibly adopt your viewpoint.
I wonder if some people think the whole world is an academic classroom. There truly should be a difference here and there. In debate class, you debate. In real life, you talk and get to know each other.
Another flaw is that it may be pride, and not love that motivates people. If you see that people don't often like to be corrected on every little detail that you may view as wrong, you'll know that the end result is often they will want to move farther away from you. So what was the whole point? In the end, it may be that the person wanting to correct the other just wants to be and feel right. That's pride and not love. Or at least pride was the main motivating factor, whether the person realizes it or not.
The Bible talks about matters of indifference. We really shouldn't let matters of indifference get in the way of enjoying being brothers and sisters in Christ. People are learning theology over time, and as long as they understand the very foundation of the Bible, the gospel and all it offers to us, then they will be fine. Don't rush, and wait for them to ask the questions.
As Christians, we should be known for our love. Not for a constant fighting spirit over theological differences.
Theology does affect people greatly. But we have to realize our limitations and how human relationships work, and that pride is all too present and common.
But the great flaw in that is it rejects the fundamentals of how relationships work, or how to get to know and help people works--of how to be loving. If you tell a stranger, or someone you haven't truly tried to get to know or know their viewpoint well, that you think they are terribly wrong on something, what would you expect? All that is communicated there is that one person has wanted to skip the part of getting to know someone and has jumped into telling that person what to do.
Relationships shouldn't be about trying to correct another person or force them to be a certain way. It's about getting to know and appreciate them, and possibly at certain moments--very rare moments, most likely when they ask for advice--that's mostly when a relationship can include this aim to help another see and possibly adopt your viewpoint.
I wonder if some people think the whole world is an academic classroom. There truly should be a difference here and there. In debate class, you debate. In real life, you talk and get to know each other.
Another flaw is that it may be pride, and not love that motivates people. If you see that people don't often like to be corrected on every little detail that you may view as wrong, you'll know that the end result is often they will want to move farther away from you. So what was the whole point? In the end, it may be that the person wanting to correct the other just wants to be and feel right. That's pride and not love. Or at least pride was the main motivating factor, whether the person realizes it or not.
The Bible talks about matters of indifference. We really shouldn't let matters of indifference get in the way of enjoying being brothers and sisters in Christ. People are learning theology over time, and as long as they understand the very foundation of the Bible, the gospel and all it offers to us, then they will be fine. Don't rush, and wait for them to ask the questions.
As Christians, we should be known for our love. Not for a constant fighting spirit over theological differences.
Theology does affect people greatly. But we have to realize our limitations and how human relationships work, and that pride is all too present and common.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Being Winsomely Correct
Often in theology we can be correct without being winsomely correct. Our theology should not only seek to be correct, but our theology should seek to benefit others.
Often theologians can be at fault for being too concerned with technical details than the spirit of theology. As scripture tells if we lack love we have nothing.
Theology must always be done in a spirit of love and with a loving concern for others. Theology which aims to be correct, but does not aim to be winsome, or have concern for others, is not Christian theology.
Often theologians can be at fault for being too concerned with technical details than the spirit of theology. As scripture tells if we lack love we have nothing.
Theology must always be done in a spirit of love and with a loving concern for others. Theology which aims to be correct, but does not aim to be winsome, or have concern for others, is not Christian theology.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Moving Past Theological Hearsay
In a court of law hearsay is barred. In theological circles hearsay is often enough to push any theologian or thinker's views off the table before they are even understood.
It is quite an ignorant trend emerging in theology where ideology of each theological camp presupposes what will be good or bad before the ideas are even heard. The second you mention this or that thinker's name the ideas are already falling on deaf ears.
A lot of it is quite arbitrary and non-sensible. You often find that included in the allowable thinkers are people who are more opposed to the ideology of the group and thinkers who are excluded from the ideology.
You see it is often simply a wild amount of hearsay which has no basis in reality. A prominent pastor had a teacher who they respected who did not like such and such thinker for an unknown reason and now the world becomes suspicious of the thinker. No one knows why the thinker is in question, but they are.
At some point there needs to be a re-questioning of why are all these things which "are just the case" but no one knows why. If a pastor cannot with any articulation explain why a thinker is wrong then he should not proclaim to the whole world that a thinker is in error because he knew someone many years ago who felt so.
It is as if pastors and theologians often hold up certain figures as unable to err. That favorite teacher was in the end always right and never wrong. Of course it is absurd, but it is how many pastors and theologians practically live and the consequences are rarely positive of such a lazy and thoughtless approach.
It is often better to answer "I do not know" to a question than to spout mindlessly what some respected sage thought might have been the case.
I feel certain highly respected thinkers in the current day have, despite their many gifts and blessings they have brought to the church, also damaged the church by failing to admit the limits of their knowledge. It is better to admit the limits of our knowledge rather than to take the easy route of pushing out hearsay in theology when we simply do not know.
It is quite an ignorant trend emerging in theology where ideology of each theological camp presupposes what will be good or bad before the ideas are even heard. The second you mention this or that thinker's name the ideas are already falling on deaf ears.
A lot of it is quite arbitrary and non-sensible. You often find that included in the allowable thinkers are people who are more opposed to the ideology of the group and thinkers who are excluded from the ideology.
You see it is often simply a wild amount of hearsay which has no basis in reality. A prominent pastor had a teacher who they respected who did not like such and such thinker for an unknown reason and now the world becomes suspicious of the thinker. No one knows why the thinker is in question, but they are.
At some point there needs to be a re-questioning of why are all these things which "are just the case" but no one knows why. If a pastor cannot with any articulation explain why a thinker is wrong then he should not proclaim to the whole world that a thinker is in error because he knew someone many years ago who felt so.
It is as if pastors and theologians often hold up certain figures as unable to err. That favorite teacher was in the end always right and never wrong. Of course it is absurd, but it is how many pastors and theologians practically live and the consequences are rarely positive of such a lazy and thoughtless approach.
It is often better to answer "I do not know" to a question than to spout mindlessly what some respected sage thought might have been the case.
I feel certain highly respected thinkers in the current day have, despite their many gifts and blessings they have brought to the church, also damaged the church by failing to admit the limits of their knowledge. It is better to admit the limits of our knowledge rather than to take the easy route of pushing out hearsay in theology when we simply do not know.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
The Top 10 Articles of 2014
As 2014 will soon come to a close, it's time to look back at the articles that sparked the most interest in 2014. The list below starts with the most popular article and is based on unique page views:
Thanks for visiting the blog this year!
- "Theology of Rest" by Danny Dowell
- "Missions and Social Justice" by Danny
- "Our Way" by Danny
- "Charity in Communication" by Danny
- "The Two Benefits of Rest" by Michelle Dowell
- "Living by Faith" by Danny
- "Help with Anxiety: Fear God, Not Man" by Michelle
- "Pleasure Is Not the Enemy" by Michelle
- "Hard Times" by Danny
- "Help with Stress: 3 Tips" by Michelle
Thanks for visiting the blog this year!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Faithful Implications in Theology
It is easy in theology to understand the thrust of scripture and then to begin to see implications the bible does not see. The bible is very clear in its teaching and often qualifies statements.
As Christians it is easy to often grasp the thrust of the teaching and to miss all the nuance. We may see that God is love and thus forget that God has a righteous anger. We see the concept of love and begin to play it out in a way which makes love and righteous anger incompatible.
The examples of these sorts of issues is profoundly large in scale. It is often that a preacher will grasp the thrust of a biblical text but take the implications too far. Most theological errors of minor and serious degree take truths in scripture and begin to take the implications far past where scripture takes the implications and at times to the point of denying other principles in scripture (although it is rarely stated so crassly).
In theology we can often most easily notice an error in a system when we see certain elements become so absolutized they seem to push other elements taught in scripture out.
Good theology by nature of the discipline is an attempted approximation of the teachings of God through his inspired writers as found in the old and new testaments. To the degree that theology fails to approximate scripture or even worse contradicts scripture it is to that degree that the theology fails.
As Christians it is easy to often grasp the thrust of the teaching and to miss all the nuance. We may see that God is love and thus forget that God has a righteous anger. We see the concept of love and begin to play it out in a way which makes love and righteous anger incompatible.
The examples of these sorts of issues is profoundly large in scale. It is often that a preacher will grasp the thrust of a biblical text but take the implications too far. Most theological errors of minor and serious degree take truths in scripture and begin to take the implications far past where scripture takes the implications and at times to the point of denying other principles in scripture (although it is rarely stated so crassly).
In theology we can often most easily notice an error in a system when we see certain elements become so absolutized they seem to push other elements taught in scripture out.
Good theology by nature of the discipline is an attempted approximation of the teachings of God through his inspired writers as found in the old and new testaments. To the degree that theology fails to approximate scripture or even worse contradicts scripture it is to that degree that the theology fails.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Learning About God
When we study God's Word and think through what living a Christian life means, it's important to think about who God is and how he relates to people. Often it's easy to take a passage of Scripture and only think about what that means for what we should do. That's fine to do at some point, but it's important to be sure we take time to think about what it means about God and how he relates to us.
If we never study or think about God's power and strength, and how he uses it to help us, it might be much harder to cast our anxieties and burdens on Christ (Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7, ESV). Knowing about God's power helps us to be able to respond to God's call.
If we never study God's mercy and gentleness to his people, including us, then we might find it hard to be merciful and gentle to others and ourselves out of love.
If we never study God's pure holiness and goodness, we might not realize how extremely blessed we are to even get a chance to talk to him.
Some people worry that a lot of theology isn't practical, but how we view God and how he relates to us definitely affects the way we live. We should also of course see what the Bible has to say about humans too.
While learning the attributes of God is of great importance, it's more important to see God as he interacts in history—how the Christian God is a personal God. Read more on this in Danny's article "God Known through Actions."
Danny also wrote about how theology speaks to all areas of life in "Theology as a Meta-Discipline."
If we never study or think about God's power and strength, and how he uses it to help us, it might be much harder to cast our anxieties and burdens on Christ (Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7, ESV). Knowing about God's power helps us to be able to respond to God's call.
If we never study God's mercy and gentleness to his people, including us, then we might find it hard to be merciful and gentle to others and ourselves out of love.
If we never study God's pure holiness and goodness, we might not realize how extremely blessed we are to even get a chance to talk to him.
Some people worry that a lot of theology isn't practical, but how we view God and how he relates to us definitely affects the way we live. We should also of course see what the Bible has to say about humans too.
While learning the attributes of God is of great importance, it's more important to see God as he interacts in history—how the Christian God is a personal God. Read more on this in Danny's article "God Known through Actions."
Danny also wrote about how theology speaks to all areas of life in "Theology as a Meta-Discipline."
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Theology as a Meta-Discipline
Theology speaks to all areas of life. God has spoken to man and his word has implications of all areas of life. Often we need humility to realize that we may not see the implications.
It is not always easy to see how the bible can inform our thinking in many areas. But the reality is that if we are open to the idea that the bible does have implications to all sorts of things in life we will often begin to see how the bible applies to this or that area of life.
We often push the bible too far back. Maybe we read it regularly but we do not see how it applies to hardly any area. Maybe it applies to family, friendships, and church, but nothing else. Of course we are never that crass in speech but often it is the way we live.
The reality is we often close ourselves off to the implications of the bible in all sorts of ways. By opening ourselves to the possibility that scripture informs everything we often begin to understand many things we would not understand otherwise.
It is not always easy to see how the bible can inform our thinking in many areas. But the reality is that if we are open to the idea that the bible does have implications to all sorts of things in life we will often begin to see how the bible applies to this or that area of life.
We often push the bible too far back. Maybe we read it regularly but we do not see how it applies to hardly any area. Maybe it applies to family, friendships, and church, but nothing else. Of course we are never that crass in speech but often it is the way we live.
The reality is we often close ourselves off to the implications of the bible in all sorts of ways. By opening ourselves to the possibility that scripture informs everything we often begin to understand many things we would not understand otherwise.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Theology of Rest
It is very difficult to find anyone today speaking of a theology of rest. Often we will find book after book devoted to being less busy or finding time to step away from constant work.
The problem is so ingrained that we often cannot put the solution in a positive light, i.e. rest or relaxation. We are often so far off that we can only think in terms of being less busy or making time.
The bible devotes an entire day in the life of a Christian for rest. Living out Sabbath means trusting that in six days we can do more with God than in seven days without God.
Among the few people today who keep Sabbath, it often becomes a very burden-full thing. It seems to equate in some circles to not enjoying oneself as if Sabbath is a rigorous denial of self.
Sabbath is made for man and not man for Sabbath. The concept of Sabbath needs always to have human joy at the center of it. Joy in God is of course the main part of man's joy, but God made all creation good.
It is often you will find preachers in the current day preaching to a person or two on a Superbowl Sunday. No matter how insensible opening the church is or how sensible moving the service a few hours earlier, they view it is a spiritual discipline to not buckle to culture.
In a sense the motive makes sense but the glorification of self denial is all to prevalent in the current day. Self denial in and of it self has no value. What has the self denial of the pastor produced? Often it seems to be something of a pride that they succeeded while 98% of the church failed.
You see too often self denial is pursued even when it produces no fruit. Sometimes self denial hurts rather than helps. Christianity is about joy and how joy may be truly found.
Rest is an important part of God's plan. God has come to draw people to himself and teach us how to be truly happy. He wishes for us to enjoy the world without being worldly.
Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness to pray and rest. If Jesus saw the need to rest (and he did) than we should try to see the need as well.
The problem is so ingrained that we often cannot put the solution in a positive light, i.e. rest or relaxation. We are often so far off that we can only think in terms of being less busy or making time.
The bible devotes an entire day in the life of a Christian for rest. Living out Sabbath means trusting that in six days we can do more with God than in seven days without God.
Among the few people today who keep Sabbath, it often becomes a very burden-full thing. It seems to equate in some circles to not enjoying oneself as if Sabbath is a rigorous denial of self.
Sabbath is made for man and not man for Sabbath. The concept of Sabbath needs always to have human joy at the center of it. Joy in God is of course the main part of man's joy, but God made all creation good.
It is often you will find preachers in the current day preaching to a person or two on a Superbowl Sunday. No matter how insensible opening the church is or how sensible moving the service a few hours earlier, they view it is a spiritual discipline to not buckle to culture.
In a sense the motive makes sense but the glorification of self denial is all to prevalent in the current day. Self denial in and of it self has no value. What has the self denial of the pastor produced? Often it seems to be something of a pride that they succeeded while 98% of the church failed.
You see too often self denial is pursued even when it produces no fruit. Sometimes self denial hurts rather than helps. Christianity is about joy and how joy may be truly found.
Rest is an important part of God's plan. God has come to draw people to himself and teach us how to be truly happy. He wishes for us to enjoy the world without being worldly.
Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness to pray and rest. If Jesus saw the need to rest (and he did) than we should try to see the need as well.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Guess and Check in Theology
In elementary math when solving for a variable, if a student is supposed to solve for a variable and is stumped, they can often find the answer simply by guessing numbers until one solves the equation. Even if they cannot figure out the problem simply by trail and error, the solution may be found.
Surprisingly a similar approach is helpful in scriptural interpretation. If we hear an interpretation of scripture with strong claims of a certain absolute type all we need to see if the claims are true or not true is to see if scripture supports or denies the claims. Narrative is extremely helpful in this case, especially narrative which is commented upon by God or the biblical writer as inspired by the Spirit of God.
You see many positions which are easily shown to be erroneous by simply comparing them to the very plain commentary on narrative in scripture. The story of Job shows any strong form of health and wealth gospel to be in error.
The success and failure of many of the prophets shows that it is God who brings success and not man. Jonah was not the faithful prophet/voice of God that many other figures were and yet he had more success, because ultimately God brings victory and not men.
The Old Testament frequently teaches that God is with us even when we feel he is not. It shows us that often we object to our ability to do a task. In a sense we may be right. We may not be an eloquent speaker but God may call us to speak. You see we often misunderstand the true qualifications for tasks.
Always in theology comparing theology to scripture and matching the claims of theology to the claims of scripture is of great importance.
Equally important is looking for what is missing in our theology. If our theology does not cover what scripture covers then we have a hole in our theology. If we wish to be faithful to God, omissions in theology are equally as serious at times as outright errors.
Surprisingly a similar approach is helpful in scriptural interpretation. If we hear an interpretation of scripture with strong claims of a certain absolute type all we need to see if the claims are true or not true is to see if scripture supports or denies the claims. Narrative is extremely helpful in this case, especially narrative which is commented upon by God or the biblical writer as inspired by the Spirit of God.
You see many positions which are easily shown to be erroneous by simply comparing them to the very plain commentary on narrative in scripture. The story of Job shows any strong form of health and wealth gospel to be in error.
The success and failure of many of the prophets shows that it is God who brings success and not man. Jonah was not the faithful prophet/voice of God that many other figures were and yet he had more success, because ultimately God brings victory and not men.
The Old Testament frequently teaches that God is with us even when we feel he is not. It shows us that often we object to our ability to do a task. In a sense we may be right. We may not be an eloquent speaker but God may call us to speak. You see we often misunderstand the true qualifications for tasks.
Always in theology comparing theology to scripture and matching the claims of theology to the claims of scripture is of great importance.
Equally important is looking for what is missing in our theology. If our theology does not cover what scripture covers then we have a hole in our theology. If we wish to be faithful to God, omissions in theology are equally as serious at times as outright errors.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Good Theology Includes People
Post by
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
A theology so focused on the knowledge of God that it disregards people, including self, is missing a great deal. Throughout the Bible God interacts with people, he cares about them, and wishes for their true happiness. God's desire is for people to thrive.
It's important that we don't forget about people in need locally and throughout the world. We don't need to focus on it but if we have time or some money to help, our heart should aim for that. If we don't have that, we can pray to have that heart, a heart like Christ's.
Some people focus so much on doing what they view as the right thing for people ("I must be involved with this church group or do this church activity") they mostly just go through the motions of interacting with people. They don't have a true, genuine love for people, where they start to truly know the person, they just have a feeling of obligation to be with people because that's what is expected. At times we should go to or do things we need to go to or do when we aren't feeling it, but we should truly aim to have our hearts in what we choose to do, and pray and work on over time loving more.
Truly caring about someone means taking time to get to know them and remember, and wish for their best. Getting to know someone doesn't mean asking 10 questions in a row. It's over time just being with the person and noticing things about them.
The mark of a Christian is love. Many people may nod in agreement with this but think love is simply following a set of expectations or rules. Genuine, true love involves the heart and really cares. If a person always just follows rules, then he or she cares about following the rule and not loving the person (maybe for the pride of doing it or only being concerned about obeying one rule instead of God's commands to obey and love people).
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
A theology so focused on the knowledge of God that it disregards people, including self, is missing a great deal. Throughout the Bible God interacts with people, he cares about them, and wishes for their true happiness. God's desire is for people to thrive.
It's important that we don't forget about people in need locally and throughout the world. We don't need to focus on it but if we have time or some money to help, our heart should aim for that. If we don't have that, we can pray to have that heart, a heart like Christ's.
Some people focus so much on doing what they view as the right thing for people ("I must be involved with this church group or do this church activity") they mostly just go through the motions of interacting with people. They don't have a true, genuine love for people, where they start to truly know the person, they just have a feeling of obligation to be with people because that's what is expected. At times we should go to or do things we need to go to or do when we aren't feeling it, but we should truly aim to have our hearts in what we choose to do, and pray and work on over time loving more.
Truly caring about someone means taking time to get to know them and remember, and wish for their best. Getting to know someone doesn't mean asking 10 questions in a row. It's over time just being with the person and noticing things about them.
The mark of a Christian is love. Many people may nod in agreement with this but think love is simply following a set of expectations or rules. Genuine, true love involves the heart and really cares. If a person always just follows rules, then he or she cares about following the rule and not loving the person (maybe for the pride of doing it or only being concerned about obeying one rule instead of God's commands to obey and love people).
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Endless Questions
Post by
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
One way questions are used in a way that is more harmful than helpful in theology is when they are endless.
After asking questions, at some point a person needs to come to a conclusion or take the information they have found and for that day decide what they themselves believe on the topic, even if it's that there isn't much knowledge on the topic.
It's impossible for a person to truly think about things if he or she is only ever asking for someone else's opinion or researching. That person needs to think about the facts and make a decision, even if it's one that isn't popular. It takes courage sometimes to stop asking questions and instead believe or make a choice.
And often people who keep asking the same questions over and over again in different forms are not comfortable with the fact that life is not perfect and we, as humans, won't be able to answer every question. (1 Corinthians 13:12 )
We need to have faith that even though we don't know everything, God does. And that's all that matters. Questions are great but when we can't find the answers after searching and thinking, we need to decide that it's okay.
Something we don't understand today might make sense later. We are going through the process of sanctification, which means that over time we are growing in the faith. There are so many things to learn and improve on in this life, and little by little we are growing and learning as God shows us and teaches us in various ways around us. In the meantime, we may need to be patient.
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
One way questions are used in a way that is more harmful than helpful in theology is when they are endless.
After asking questions, at some point a person needs to come to a conclusion or take the information they have found and for that day decide what they themselves believe on the topic, even if it's that there isn't much knowledge on the topic.
It's impossible for a person to truly think about things if he or she is only ever asking for someone else's opinion or researching. That person needs to think about the facts and make a decision, even if it's one that isn't popular. It takes courage sometimes to stop asking questions and instead believe or make a choice.
And often people who keep asking the same questions over and over again in different forms are not comfortable with the fact that life is not perfect and we, as humans, won't be able to answer every question. (1 Corinthians 13:12 )
We need to have faith that even though we don't know everything, God does. And that's all that matters. Questions are great but when we can't find the answers after searching and thinking, we need to decide that it's okay.
Something we don't understand today might make sense later. We are going through the process of sanctification, which means that over time we are growing in the faith. There are so many things to learn and improve on in this life, and little by little we are growing and learning as God shows us and teaches us in various ways around us. In the meantime, we may need to be patient.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The Kingdom of God
An Old Paper Of Mine.
Summery of Johannes Weiss': Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Johannes’ piece centers around what sort of life is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Johannes notes that the Kingdom of God purely a gift from God, however we people must make, “extreme external sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel… must be regarded as a matter of necessity and principle" (112). It seems that the gift from God is that salvation is freely offered to all and the human part is to grasp hold of the gift though the new ethic. The new ethic is self sacrifice based on the gospel.
Johannes’ writes that, “The only thing man can do is about it is to perform the conditions required by God” (132). As he says this he clearly anticipates his views being labeled at “Pharisaic.” He distinguishes himself from the Pharisees, however, by saying that he does not support people seeking a reward. Instead Johannes suggests people should seek detachment and only then can they enjoy the kingdom of God. ((His reply seems not really to deal with the objection, since both ways are still earning ways into reward.))
Johannes cashes out the gospel in an interesting way. The gospel that Jesus preaches is no different in quality than the gospel John the Baptist preaches. Both preach a gospel of self sacrificial lifestyle by which men may find entrance into heaven. The only difference is that Jesus has a “messianic self consciousness” which allows him to realize that by Jesus’ obedience he will be elevated to the messianic position of kingship. Christ, by his obedience, earns his eschatological kingship and becomes closer in equality (although very not equal) to the Father. Christ clearly transitions form a fully human figure to a semi-divine figure by his obedience, according to Johannes’.
The cross according to Johannes comes late into the consciousness of Jesus. Early on Jesus believes that he will usher in the eschatological kingdom of God. However, he later realizes that he too must die to help (only help in part) the eschatological kingdom come about. Johannes suggests that we too today must work to help bring about the eschatological kingdom.
Johannes’ then moves on to counter a common day assumption of his day. The Kingdom of God is not in fact the center of the gospel. The center of the gospel is our relationship as children to God. We are hoping to “serve God the Father with surrender of the whole heart, and to become free from the world” (134). By surrendering everything we gain is most precious that is, relationship with God. Our relationship to God as children is the center of the gospel not the kingdom of God.
Once we have become children of God then we will be too gain “freedom from the world” and thus be capable of “love one’s enemy”, and “the sacrifice of one’s life” (134). We differ today from early Christianity in that we do not share the eschatological view of the immense of the Kingdom of God that they shared. That was in fact the center of the early church’s thought. However, what we share with primitive Christianity is the view of Son-ship that we gain with God the father though sacrifice. This Son-ship is the reason we take on the ethical demands of God.
Summery of Johannes Weiss': Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
Johannes’ piece centers around what sort of life is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Johannes notes that the Kingdom of God purely a gift from God, however we people must make, “extreme external sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel… must be regarded as a matter of necessity and principle" (112). It seems that the gift from God is that salvation is freely offered to all and the human part is to grasp hold of the gift though the new ethic. The new ethic is self sacrifice based on the gospel.
Johannes’ writes that, “The only thing man can do is about it is to perform the conditions required by God” (132). As he says this he clearly anticipates his views being labeled at “Pharisaic.” He distinguishes himself from the Pharisees, however, by saying that he does not support people seeking a reward. Instead Johannes suggests people should seek detachment and only then can they enjoy the kingdom of God. ((His reply seems not really to deal with the objection, since both ways are still earning ways into reward.))
Johannes cashes out the gospel in an interesting way. The gospel that Jesus preaches is no different in quality than the gospel John the Baptist preaches. Both preach a gospel of self sacrificial lifestyle by which men may find entrance into heaven. The only difference is that Jesus has a “messianic self consciousness” which allows him to realize that by Jesus’ obedience he will be elevated to the messianic position of kingship. Christ, by his obedience, earns his eschatological kingship and becomes closer in equality (although very not equal) to the Father. Christ clearly transitions form a fully human figure to a semi-divine figure by his obedience, according to Johannes’.
The cross according to Johannes comes late into the consciousness of Jesus. Early on Jesus believes that he will usher in the eschatological kingdom of God. However, he later realizes that he too must die to help (only help in part) the eschatological kingdom come about. Johannes suggests that we too today must work to help bring about the eschatological kingdom.
Johannes’ then moves on to counter a common day assumption of his day. The Kingdom of God is not in fact the center of the gospel. The center of the gospel is our relationship as children to God. We are hoping to “serve God the Father with surrender of the whole heart, and to become free from the world” (134). By surrendering everything we gain is most precious that is, relationship with God. Our relationship to God as children is the center of the gospel not the kingdom of God.
Once we have become children of God then we will be too gain “freedom from the world” and thus be capable of “love one’s enemy”, and “the sacrifice of one’s life” (134). We differ today from early Christianity in that we do not share the eschatological view of the immense of the Kingdom of God that they shared. That was in fact the center of the early church’s thought. However, what we share with primitive Christianity is the view of Son-ship that we gain with God the father though sacrifice. This Son-ship is the reason we take on the ethical demands of God.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Liberty in the Christian Life
The bible offers a great deal of latitude and liberty in the Christian life. The bible does have many specifics, but often you find Jesus opposed to an over zealous application of the specifics.
There is always wisdom needed in life. Situations in life are often complex. There are not easy answers to many problems. One size fits all solutions often fail.
That is why the bible constantly calls us to love. We are to love God and love our neighbor. In the unclear of situations our principle is love.
Love has a great patience, but it can also have an aggressive or adversarial edge. You see love at time forces us to act. You see that true love at time needs to take a stand.
Love also does not insist on it's own way. We might prefer certain things in the the church be this way or that way, but we cannot insist on preference or infringe upon the liberty of others because certain things displease us.
Often in life there are things others do which we think are wrong or shortsighted or maybe a bit non-ideal. But these things fall in the realm of liberty. We cannot ever take a strong stand against that which falls in the realm of liberty even if it seems shortsighted or wrong.
If we take a stand against folly which is permitted in liberty we fall into the even graver error of legalism. Liberty allows what is not always pleasing to oneself but is permitted in the bible. Legalism insists on its own way. It insists on essentials the bible does not insist on.
Legalism seeks for a higher ethic than God desires. It is a theology which has little sense of true importance and is undesirable.
We always need to try to make important what the bible sees as important and have liberty where the bible sees liberty. We need to try to make the emphasis of the bible our own.
Post: True Christian Liberty
There is always wisdom needed in life. Situations in life are often complex. There are not easy answers to many problems. One size fits all solutions often fail.
That is why the bible constantly calls us to love. We are to love God and love our neighbor. In the unclear of situations our principle is love.
Love has a great patience, but it can also have an aggressive or adversarial edge. You see love at time forces us to act. You see that true love at time needs to take a stand.
Love also does not insist on it's own way. We might prefer certain things in the the church be this way or that way, but we cannot insist on preference or infringe upon the liberty of others because certain things displease us.
Often in life there are things others do which we think are wrong or shortsighted or maybe a bit non-ideal. But these things fall in the realm of liberty. We cannot ever take a strong stand against that which falls in the realm of liberty even if it seems shortsighted or wrong.
If we take a stand against folly which is permitted in liberty we fall into the even graver error of legalism. Liberty allows what is not always pleasing to oneself but is permitted in the bible. Legalism insists on its own way. It insists on essentials the bible does not insist on.
Legalism seeks for a higher ethic than God desires. It is a theology which has little sense of true importance and is undesirable.
We always need to try to make important what the bible sees as important and have liberty where the bible sees liberty. We need to try to make the emphasis of the bible our own.
Post: True Christian Liberty
Friday, August 1, 2014
Emphasis in Theology is Key
Emphasis makes or breaks theology. Most off balance theologies over-emphasises certain truths. Other theologies neglect and ignore or under-emphasise certain truths.
A theology with highly over-emphasised and under-emphasised elements can sometimes be more dangerous than outright theological error.
Christian faith requires balance. This is why scripture calls us to wisdom. Many things are contextual in nature. The context of biblical truth and its application in life need to be contextually appropriate.
There are many theologies built heavily around a few key passages and those passages dominate the theology. The lack of balance is hurtful to the theology.
All truth is good, but many truths have a limited scope of use. This is the great danger with overemphasis.
Truth is called upon to work in areas where it cannot work. It is like choosing to only use a hammer out of a toolkit for every home repair project that comes up.
A theology with highly over-emphasised and under-emphasised elements can sometimes be more dangerous than outright theological error.
Christian faith requires balance. This is why scripture calls us to wisdom. Many things are contextual in nature. The context of biblical truth and its application in life need to be contextually appropriate.
There are many theologies built heavily around a few key passages and those passages dominate the theology. The lack of balance is hurtful to the theology.
All truth is good, but many truths have a limited scope of use. This is the great danger with overemphasis.
Truth is called upon to work in areas where it cannot work. It is like choosing to only use a hammer out of a toolkit for every home repair project that comes up.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Greatest Hindrance to Scriptural Interpretation
The greatest hindrance to scriptural interpretation is human cleverness. The bible says many things which are difficult to understand, but the vast majority of its teaching is very simple and plain.
Often a theologian or preacher is most in danger of theological error when they move into the Greek to explain what a text means and the meaning is not evident in the translation. It is often simply that the theologian or preacher does not like what the text means.
If you ever see a theologian or preacher seem to shift the meaning of the text with interpretation of Greek watch closely what they say on the topic in the future. Usually you have found a hole in their theology and in each subsequent text on the same topic the issue will be skirted or similarly handled.
The teaching of scripture is almost never so complicated that it requires a five to ten minute lesson on the meaning of Greek words to understand a text. Learning is at many times more neutral than is expected in the modern world. It can be used for good or evil.
Certainly learning is overall something which promotes good, but it does not change the human condition. The heart is deceitful above all things and a falling back into advanced learning to avoid the plain teaching of scripture is very common in the current day.
The bible is really a very plain book. It repeats the important messages it has repeatedly and in many forms. The bible is very insistent on being understood on critical points. That is why it repeats the same truths over and over in different styles and terminologies.
Often a theologian or preacher is most in danger of theological error when they move into the Greek to explain what a text means and the meaning is not evident in the translation. It is often simply that the theologian or preacher does not like what the text means.
If you ever see a theologian or preacher seem to shift the meaning of the text with interpretation of Greek watch closely what they say on the topic in the future. Usually you have found a hole in their theology and in each subsequent text on the same topic the issue will be skirted or similarly handled.
The teaching of scripture is almost never so complicated that it requires a five to ten minute lesson on the meaning of Greek words to understand a text. Learning is at many times more neutral than is expected in the modern world. It can be used for good or evil.
Certainly learning is overall something which promotes good, but it does not change the human condition. The heart is deceitful above all things and a falling back into advanced learning to avoid the plain teaching of scripture is very common in the current day.
The bible is really a very plain book. It repeats the important messages it has repeatedly and in many forms. The bible is very insistent on being understood on critical points. That is why it repeats the same truths over and over in different styles and terminologies.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Theology is Shaped by Living
One truth is often that our life shapes our theology more than we would like to admit. Many theologians assent to the truth of certain principles, but one can only strongly understand and proclaim what one does.
Some people proclaim what they do not do and are hypocrites. Many theologians and pastors skirt many issues because their life lacks certain qualities. Maybe they are not generous so they cannot deal with giving.
The issues are manifold, but many theological deficiencies stem back to deficiencies in living in one's life. You see there is a great difference between assenting to a theological statement and living it and understanding it.
To be a truly good theologian one must also actively seek to live out one's faith in the world. Theology can never stay as simply something leaned from a book; it must also be lived. Theology which is 'learned' in a book and never lived was never really learned.
Some people proclaim what they do not do and are hypocrites. Many theologians and pastors skirt many issues because their life lacks certain qualities. Maybe they are not generous so they cannot deal with giving.
The issues are manifold, but many theological deficiencies stem back to deficiencies in living in one's life. You see there is a great difference between assenting to a theological statement and living it and understanding it.
To be a truly good theologian one must also actively seek to live out one's faith in the world. Theology can never stay as simply something leaned from a book; it must also be lived. Theology which is 'learned' in a book and never lived was never really learned.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Postmodernity and the Church
Often the concept of wisdom is lost in the current day. Wisdom implies that many situations in life require thought and prayer to understand ethically.
I believe at times the church is afraid to teach the concept of wisdom which pervades scripture because it feels "post modern" and the church wishes to oppose post modernity.
The reality is that wisdom and the idea that there is a great fuzziness in many situations is not post modern at all. It is not a denial of absolute truth but rather an appreciation that as people who live in a fallen world it is often difficult to know what to do.
You see wisdom and the great need to think long and hard about what is right in many situations is not at all a postmodern impulse. Few churches will overtly bash wisdom, but they will bash the idea that there are many situations which are ethically difficult to understand.
They implicitly undermine the concept of wisdom in scripture by suggesting that ethical living is easy. Often we are more prone to theological error in what we omit from our theology and life than in what is in our theology.
What is missing in a theology is often of far greater significance than what is in a theology. You see theology is supposed to be a faithful understanding of the word of God as revealed in the bible. Thus omissions in theology are often of great concern since theology should attempt to be a faithful understanding of all scripture.
I believe at times the church is afraid to teach the concept of wisdom which pervades scripture because it feels "post modern" and the church wishes to oppose post modernity.
The reality is that wisdom and the idea that there is a great fuzziness in many situations is not post modern at all. It is not a denial of absolute truth but rather an appreciation that as people who live in a fallen world it is often difficult to know what to do.
You see wisdom and the great need to think long and hard about what is right in many situations is not at all a postmodern impulse. Few churches will overtly bash wisdom, but they will bash the idea that there are many situations which are ethically difficult to understand.
They implicitly undermine the concept of wisdom in scripture by suggesting that ethical living is easy. Often we are more prone to theological error in what we omit from our theology and life than in what is in our theology.
What is missing in a theology is often of far greater significance than what is in a theology. You see theology is supposed to be a faithful understanding of the word of God as revealed in the bible. Thus omissions in theology are often of great concern since theology should attempt to be a faithful understanding of all scripture.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Good Theology is Lived Theology
It is not uncommon to find that an advanced degree in Theology, even at an institution which holds firm to seeking truth, has the affect of causing the person who has the degree to become a worse Theologian. Usually theological study if it is biblical is helpful but there are multiple issues.
The first is that the ability to interpret scripture is what is important, not the degree. Some young theologians with a masters fall back into Greek to defend positions in arguments. Of course you see they are struggling to explain what the Greek means off the top of their head.
You see they usually cannot understand Greek apart from their hubris that they feel they can. They simply are repeating what they think others have said.
The reality is that the piece of paper which represents the degree easily presents an opportunity for pride. The theologian with his degree is not clearly more skilled in theology than any studied person without a degree.
Of course study in the right way where truth is learned and applied in life with humility is a blessing. But theology is something which is lived. Theology which does not produce good fruit is worthless theology.
You will find many well read people in a church that know more theology than the person with a degree. One is a good theologian if one faithfully understands and applies the word of God.
The degree is only a means to an end. But it has no necessary relation between the degree and the quality of one's theology. You see someone with a degree who cannot set aside their pride or does not submit the teaching of scripture when they are wrong is a poor theologian.
We are very often in the wrong when we read the bible and need to admit to God we are wrong. Humility is the mark of a good theologian. A systematic study at a university is only a means to an end. The truth of if the study was of use will be determined by the ability of the studier to faithfully explain and live out their faith.
The first is that the ability to interpret scripture is what is important, not the degree. Some young theologians with a masters fall back into Greek to defend positions in arguments. Of course you see they are struggling to explain what the Greek means off the top of their head.
You see they usually cannot understand Greek apart from their hubris that they feel they can. They simply are repeating what they think others have said.
The reality is that the piece of paper which represents the degree easily presents an opportunity for pride. The theologian with his degree is not clearly more skilled in theology than any studied person without a degree.
Of course study in the right way where truth is learned and applied in life with humility is a blessing. But theology is something which is lived. Theology which does not produce good fruit is worthless theology.
You will find many well read people in a church that know more theology than the person with a degree. One is a good theologian if one faithfully understands and applies the word of God.
The degree is only a means to an end. But it has no necessary relation between the degree and the quality of one's theology. You see someone with a degree who cannot set aside their pride or does not submit the teaching of scripture when they are wrong is a poor theologian.
We are very often in the wrong when we read the bible and need to admit to God we are wrong. Humility is the mark of a good theologian. A systematic study at a university is only a means to an end. The truth of if the study was of use will be determined by the ability of the studier to faithfully explain and live out their faith.
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