Too Consumed With Theology - quiz

I agree with all you say. Bobinky would have not liked Paul and his devotion to truth.

Here is what is going on:

Persons want to throw out this theology "stuff," this pure Bible teaching "stuff", and replace it with tolerance (accepting false teaching) and "love" (not biblical/responsible love) but with "let's all have peace" (appeasment really) "and acceptance and love" (anti-biblical/anti-holy) and "let's rid the world of all those who truly know God and are intimate with His truth who stand against our cause, and who cause division over what they see as Gods truth."

They're tired of it really. They want to put an end to truth. They want to throw out theology.

The real intent is seen when the author of the OP goes on the attack against those who espouse protecting truth and pure theology (havensdad, glfrederick, others)

That's my take.

- Blessings

 

He is not saying what you are trying to make him say. Actually Spurgeon is AGREEING with me!

He says that heavy study of theology is only useless if one, "has never known the love of Christ in his heart."

I agree. If one is not saved. For the saved man, there is NEVER too much study of God's Word!

Remember that Spurgeon's heros were John Calvin, and Martin Luther! He would NEVER speak ill of heavy, intense, and constant theological study. Remember that Spurgeon himself spent many hours, every single day, studying theology.

 

You've gotten quite ugly with those who espouse, adopt, stand with, and defend truth, theology, biblical truth. In this thread. This is how I've concluded this.

Now, this is not limited to you only here in this thread Bob, but also in your more liberal leanings of tolerance in other threads. You're the one who puts out your more tolerant views of others who are questionable in belief systems. We've been through this before.

My quotations are "acting out" what is happening in Christendom, and those against holy truth. These are not "quotes." Thus the "throwing out theology" is expressed in a dramatic context, showing forth how the world, and some within the church are against such.

I also dare say that this is suggested in the OP. I think others can see the same things perhaps implied. Thus their replies which you've attacked. If the drama fits?

I owe you no apology, so you'll just have to keep expecting. But you may owe some on here apologies for your maltreatment of their opinions?

You certainly attacked them. They have freedom to express opinion. I stand with them and their beliefs, even if it is against you and yours. Such is life.

They gave their opinions, you railed on them. I gave you mine, you railed on me.

That's all that happened.

 

"The early Church did not preach much doctrine; they preached Christ. They had little to say of truths about Christ; it was Christ himself, his hands, his feet, his side, his eyes, his head, his crown of thorns, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails. O for the Christ of Mary Magdalene, rather than the Christ of the critical theologian; give me the wounded body of divinity, rather than the soundest system of theology." —Charles Spurgeon, "Love to Jesus"

 

Just saying that great learning/knowledge of EVEN the Bible does NOT automatically mean that it will get it applied to ones life...

balance is still part of the process, we can learn all things, but unless we allow the Holy Spirit to work it into our lives and become part of us, what real ggod with all that learning in apractical sense really be doing us?

 

I must have been reading this all wrong!
My take was that there was a concern, which I do hold to, that we can be great learners of Bible, into theology, know great truths etc BUT

that does not mean will be making a practicl difference in our lives UNLESS we allow those truth be applied into our lives by the Holy Spirit, that is why I said the Devil knows more about God and theology then ANY of us, but where did all that get him!

 

We should note that Spurgeon went on to found a pastor's school, where he taught theology! He was also fully immersed in the Downgrade Controversy. Trying to pin Spurgeon as the "anti-theologian" is akin to pinning Billy Graham as the "anti-evangelist." Just doesn't wash.

Here is another quote by Spurgeon, where he takes to task those with the OP proposition, that we invest too much time in theology (and make sure that "natural theology" is understood -- it is not "biblical theology!):

Yes, Spurgeon often took to task men who's SOLE focus was to nit-pick theological and philosophical issues until there was no nit left to pick such as how many angels could dance on the point of a needle. But to suggest that he was in toto anti-theological is just plain wrong. He was not.

 

The insinuation of your thread is anti-theology. It remains so even after your explanation.

One question, have you ever processed a major theology text of any sort? Just wondering if you come by your skepticism naturally or because of some reason you discovered in your study of theology?

I ask, because you are making attempt to approach the Christian life from an existential position. While we certainly DO experience the Christian life, we are not to base our beliefs and understanding on those experiences, but rather on a careful examination of the doctrines via a more careful exposition of the Word of God -- all of it. The concepts of piety and existential understanding that you espouse have been tried before and found wanting, eventually leading to universalism and even atheism. THAT is why theology must remain ALWAYS at the forefront of what we do as we seek to live the dictates of a righteous life.

I also find it ironic that a man who is so heavily advocating the sole use of Scripture quoting Shakespeare. Not that there is anything at all wrong with old Shakey -- he was a brilliant author who often promulgated Christian doctrine in his works -- but you are turning to another source, just as your concern in the OP, to explain what can be better explained via Scripture and properly understood theology.

 

I am someone who HAS read those such as Calvin, Luther, Hodge. Berhof, Erickson, Augustine etc...

DO think that his question is good IF we restrict it to ONLY the question of

"Can there really be good theology apart from it getting applied in you rlife?"

can learn all about how the bible refers to the Holy Spirit, his gifts, empowering etc but UNLESS I daily choose to submit and yield to His empowering, what real good is my learning doing?

I can learn all about methods and ways God saves others, If I chosse not to witness, what good is that?

Thnk we have to see that the REAL aim of all theology, regardless of the genre, biblical, systematic, etc SHOULD be to allow us to grow up into the full measure of Christ, to become more and more daily confirmed into Image of Christ.

And more learning/study does NOT mean that will automatically be happening...

 

If you are advocating doing anything apart from theology, you not only are anti-theology, you have no idea what you are talking about. A true Christian, functioning as they should cannot do anything BUT theology.

No. Theology is everything. Theology is the study of God. When I go out and do service projects, for instance, it MUST have a theological basis...otherwise, it is sinful. "I am doing this, for God's glory."

Not at all. To someone who knows what they are talking about, your remarks are just nonsensical.

Uh, no. The SBC has ALWAYS been extremely theological (other than the few years when the idiotic liberals tried to take over). And well they should; Christianity without heavy theology, is like a car without an engine.

You can get out and push if you want, Mr. inky. I prefer to put the gas in the tank and let the Holy Spirit do it.

Traditionally, yes it was. A few lately have done otherwise...the emergent church heretics.

Theology should consume us. The study of God, His ways, and His reality, conforms us, through the Holy Spirit, to His image. An absence of heavy theological study will result in either #1 A works based, heretical Christianity, or #2 A forsaking of the faith (because the person never really had any, as evidenced by the fact that they did not wish to know about the one who saved them!)

Not so. "The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it?" Why on EARTH would you trust a heart that is desperately wicked? how foolish...

Much better to trust the Word of God, and be like the Bereans, who did not just read the scriptures, but "searched" (studied, investigated) the scriptures.

No way. Trust God, not feelings. Feelings will always lead you astray.
. . .

 

I think those God used to write the scriptures would vehemently disagree, as do I. They recorded these testimonies so that men may believe and know HIM, for HE and HE alone must be the first and foremost.

 

BobinKy, glfredrick is in my opinion expressing what I think and others may think as well. You ask a good question, offer some really nice comments, true, but for me it is not easy to avoid coming to the same conclusion as glfredrick. Your outburst in post #76 does not help your cause. Most of us here are beyond a high school mentality.

 

As if God does not use emotion and feelings to exhort, teach, encourage, and prompt his children. Trusting God is not mutually exclusive of a individual's feelings.

I think the point of the thread (at least the one I've taken from it) is the same one Jesus was making when he said, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (John 5:39-40).