Jumat, Maret 16, 2012

A THEOLOGY FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN QUALIFICATION FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING OF THEOLOGY

Theology is the study of God. It is the study of God’s dealing with man whom He has created, but fallen into sin. The study of God and study of man which is inseparable from the study of God is true wisdom, says Calvin. We would add to the statement that they are the apex of all knowledge. They are the two highest strata of learning, way beyond mosquitology, though that is important in the quelling of malaria and dengue. The study of God and the study of man leads us to God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ, Mediator between God and man, by whom we are saved (1 Tim 2:15). The Bible is God’s book for man, the textbook of our salvation (2 Tim 3:14, 17).
 

Charles Hodge says theology is like any other science. It is to be studied like any branch of scientific learning. We beg to differ, for theology falls a great deal into the realms of the metaphysical. It cannot be put under a microscope for the seeing eye to examine. Rather it is to be studied by putting on the eye-glasses of faith. Not “seeing is believing” but “believing is seeing” is the theological method (John 20:29).
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that  things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Heb 11:1-3). By faith, the doctrine of creation ex nihilo (“out of nothing”), not  evolution, is to be received. By faith, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity


A Theology for Every Christian
Transcends the principles of mathematics. By faith the doctrine of the  Virgin Birth of Christ cannot be taught but by worshipful reverence. Theology is not only a science, but a “metascience,” if we may coin a new word.  Nor can any man intrude into the study of theology without becoming a Christian, a born-again Christian. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:14). So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).


How do we receive the unction of the Holy One? How do we get the anointing that we need, not that any man teaches us? By being a devout student of the Bible. By being a regular reader of the Bible, day and night, and by meditating therein, that we might be enabled to compare “spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13). Dr John Sung read his Bible 11 chapters a day and 13 chapters on the Lord’s Day. Hence the power of his preaching that brought several hundred thousands to Christ.1 So testifies the Psalmist,  A Theology For Every Christian is to instruct you in the mysteries of God and His saving plan for man, how we lost sinners can find that new and living way to heaven (Heb 10:20). As Dr William Lyon Phelps of Yale University has said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is better than a college education without the Bible,” we would encourage you, though not having a college degree, to launch right into the study of theology. In Paul’s words of encouragement to young Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15).

A Theology for Every Christian
In Matthew 11:25"26, God has appointed you, young man or woman, to study His doctrines though minor in age. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). To have studied philosophy or science first before theology might help, but that it is not necessary is our final word of encouragement. Here is a theology for every Christian!

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