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Featured Why the disappearance of theology from the church?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Dec 26, 2014.

  1. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    My 2 cents:

    1. One of my favorite books (just below "God in the Wasteland"). It had a significant impact within evangelical Christianity.
    2. I don't think Wells was speaking of a disappearance of theology per se, but a more of shift to a less defined and more subjective form of Christianity (which he links to postmodernity).
    3. Many churches are light in doctrine. Many are not. As a whole, I think that there is a decline.
     
    #21 JonC, Dec 27, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2014
  2. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
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    I haven't read the book, but if your point #2 is his take, I would agree.

    Objectivity is almost gone from what I see. Less defined is the way peopke want to think. It's more comfortable than being challenged with objective truth.

    I see it in the bible study I lead at church. I regularly ask - is it objective or subjective? And it makes their brains hurt sometimes. Someone told me "we've never had to think like this before"
     
  3. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
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    I think you and I are on the same page. And your story about the man who lost his family? That's what I would call a change from the inside.

    Good post, and thanks
     
  4. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I am still reading it so thanks for the info.
     
  5. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Do we also need to have the second blessing of grace then, the so called baptism in the Holy Ghost in order to receive and walk in those "deeper things?"
     
  6. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Scripture not only promises a changed life it demands it.

    Mat_10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

    2Co_5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
     
  7. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Would say that present day Christianity has a big amount of theology, some very good, others terrible, but that the big lack id discernment within the church as to what is good doctrine/theology, and even more so in getting it applied in a real practical sense!
     
  8. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I think that the American Christianity as a whole prefers anthropology over theology.
     
  9. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    And "feel good theology" over real ones!
     
  10. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    And what does that tell ya brother? perhaps it reveals that most folks are self absorbed....everything has to revolve around them....and ya find allot of that don't you? :BangHead:
     
  11. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    I've studied Expository Preaching under one of the world's greatest expository preachers---the late, great Dr. Stephen Olford

    He taught his students-----to preach sound doctrine/theology----but to always remember to "bring it on home" to the listeners

    He taught his students to-----preach even the "begats"----and taught his students how to make application to even those named in those scriptural begats!!!

    Right now I am teaching early College age students----mixed male/female-----we looked this past week at the life of Samson and made application to today's spirit world being careful to remind the students that they are NOT bodies that house a spirit---but they are spirits that so happen to be housed in a body!!

    That none of us will probably ever never ever have the capability to rip the gates of Gaza off its hinges and carry the gates up the hill to "Tim-buck-two"-----BUT we are charged with advancing the kingdom of God and to approach the gates of Hell and find Jesus' word to be faithful when He said that the gates of Hell will not prevail against He and His church!!

    Application is there in all scripture----one merely has to be a good "Bird Dog" to hunt for it!!!!:smilewinkgrin::smilewinkgrin:
     
  12. Getting it Right

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    No.

    :type:
     
  13. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Does such a thing even exist for us to receive today then?
     
  14. gigabyte71

    gigabyte71 Member

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    Could it be that too many people focus on books rather than scripture? I have heard lots of people tell me to look at such and such a book, how it will change your life. I am not against books, I am against books being the focus of our study.

    Think about all the books out there that will tell you how to make your church grow and how to win people to Jesus. The Bible is pretty clear on both of those subjects and many of the books out there about those subjects don't really use the scriptural method for doing either. Seems like the current thoughts on both subjects is activities. Then we don't want to offend these new members, so we don't really teach any solid Biblical doctrines.
     
  15. Getting it Right

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    There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. There is no "second and subsequent" event or requirement.

    :jesus:
     
  16. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
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    One baptism....

    Do you subscribe to the Landmark Baptist view that water baptism is the only baptism?

    Or the hyper-Dispensationalist view that Spirit baptism is the only baptism?

    Or the baptismal regeneration view that we are regenerated and receive the Spirit at water baptism?

    Or is there a context in which Paul wrote that?

    I'm not espousing a view, just asking
     
  17. Getting it Right

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    I have problems with the word "subscribe." Scripture proclaims that there is One God and Father of us all. I am convicted by "us all" in scripture, which is every Believer (Romans 10:8-13).

    I reject "points of view" with regard to interpretation and application of God's Word. There is only ONE interpretation / application, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. The "mind" of Christ, in context, is the Spiritual Nature of God, the Creator. We have access to His Spiritual Nature via the Holy Spirit within, with Jesus ever interceding.

    Scripture precludes water baptism as essential to salvation before or after confessing Romans 10:8-13..

    Scripture precludes Spiritual Baptism as a 2nd and subsequent event once one has received Jesus as Savior, in accordance with Romans 10:8-13. The reception of Grace thru Faith includes the reception of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He cannot be separated from the instantaneous event of salvation.

    There is no water baptismal regeneration.

    If one who confesses or is about to confess or has confessed Romans 10:8-13 wants to be dunked in water, then go for it. There is nothing salvatory about it. It is not a necessary event.

    :jesus:
     
  18. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    I agree, but was raised up in pentacostal circles before becoming a Baptist, and they tend to see "many Baptisms"
     
  19. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    believers water baptism, the Baptist response!
     
  20. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Threads on this board remind me of church business meetings. Its like herding cats to keep people on track and topic.


    You can be talking about specific spending and someone will mention they spent money on their cat. Then the topic becomes about cats and pets........you get my drift.


    So the progression goes something like this:


    Church spending>spending on cats>my cat got sick......etc.

    So because each change included something the last person said it is believed that we are on topic.


    The topic of this thread is the claim that theology is disappearing from the church. It is not about one or many baptisms, it is not about our disagreement with the word subscribe, or the second blessing of grace.
     
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