Theology: What's It Good For? An Introduction

A chief concern of Christianity in our age (well, in all ages) is theology. We are happy to discuss worship, fellowship, and drama but seldom do we discuss the “queen of the sciences.” I believe there are a variety of reasons people shy away from this most pertinent of topics. I assert that the foremost reason is ignorance. Many people are not well versed in the details of the Trinity, the Incarnation, or the Atonement. I’m not saying they are not true Christians. Many of these believers eagerly confess the aforementioned truths without fully understanding them. In fact, the place to start with sound theology is that the subject of study, God, is not fully understandable. The way many theologians have put it: we can apprehend God but we cannot comprehend God. No one, not pastor, priest, or Pope can come to an exhaustive knowledge of Almighty God. We can know God insofar as He has revealed Himself to us through both general revelation (the Creation) and special revelation (the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament). Many an agnostic will assert that God, being infinite, cannot even be apprehended by us finite beings. In short, God is unknowable. To those who hold this view, be careful what you assert. If God is unknowable, how did you come to know this? Unknowablility is an attribute you ascribe to God who, you claim, cannot be known. Your statement is self-contradictory.

ANYWAY, back to my main point. Theology and sound doctrine are also avoided for fear of division within the Body of Christ. When you start defining what beliefs are right and what beliefs are wrong, you’re bound to step on some toes. These well-meaning but misguided Christians cite texts such 1 Corinthians 12:25, “as so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another.” I could cite Christ words in Luke 12:51, “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” The division spoken of in the epistles seems to refer to needless division that arises due to bigotry, gossip, grudges, pride, and other fruit of the flesh. Christ tells that He and His message will tear people apart. The Gospel is good news to those who are being saved but is ominous to those who are perishing. There are plenty of passages in the New Testament that we Christians need to be separate from the world. Not separate in the sense of hunkering down in a fallout shelter or joining the Amish, but being separate in our convictions and in our actions. We are to be in the world but not of the world.

Thirdly, sound doctrine is deemphasized by those who can’t see the relevance of what they see as modern-day scholasticism arguing over theological minutiae that has no bearing in their walk with Christ. I do admit that we Christians often strain out gnats while swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24), but this is precisely why theological training is needed in the churches! We need to learn the sine qua non (Latin for “without which not”) doctrines of the Christian faith. Those doctrines, which, if not believed fully and properly by someone, make them unchristian. Many will cry out that they “believe the Bible.” Well, so do many cults. The best heresies come from Scripture. We Christians need to rediscover the dynamism and beauty of Truth so that we may make disciples of all the nations. We think the clear and bold proclamation of eternal truth will drive people from the church. It may, but perhaps they weren’t the right people. Skits, dramas, self-esteem sermons may draw a crowd for a time, but only Truth will put the right people in the seats for the long haul. My first article that will deal with theology in everyday life will be focused on “Truth About Town: Seeing Theology in Nation’s Oldest City.” So, when you’re stuck in the library between classes, take some time to check it out.
As always, Soli Deo Gloria and Semper Reformanda!

*For some introductory theology check out these links:
http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/268theologyquestions?s=c1f7e682313f17d7b878c2d52ca3b648
http://www.ligonier.org
http://www.monergism.com/
For anyone with iTunes, go to iTunesU and search for RTS-Reformed Theological Seminary. They have whole classes for FREE; very edifying source.

*In regards to the picture, this is the Reformation Wall (or Reformers' Wall) in Geneva, Switzerland. It depicts four titans of the Reformation. From left: Guillaume Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Farel was the man who persuaded John Calvin to remain in Geneva. Calvin is the foremost theologian associated with Reformed Theology. Beza was one of Calvin's stellar students. Knox was the fiery preacher who brought the Reformation to Scotland.

Augustine, Pears, Norm MacDonald, and Human Depravity

I recently finished listening to the audiobook of Saint Augustine's timeless work, The Confessions. I encourage all Christians and non-Christians to read (or listen to) this book at some point. It paints such an intimate portrait of the spiritual struggles of one of the greatest theologians of Church history. By showing us the depths of his depravity, Augustine puts a mirror to our own hearts so tainted by sin. One noted event in the book and in the life of Augustine is the infamous stealing of the pears. Augustine recounts a time in his youth where he and some friends were looking for kicks one night and ended up stealing pears from a stranger's pear tree. Finding them sub par, Augustine and his coterie of ne'er-do-wells proceeded to throw the fruit away.
Most people today, and I venture to say, most people then, view Augustine's antics as a harmless prank. Augustine, looking back on this event, saw much deeper spiritual implications. Why did he steal the pears? He could have bought plenty of pears of much higher quality by his own means. Did he steal because of a sense of camaraderie among his partners in crime? Well, somewhat, but what was the root of his action? Augustine came to the conclusion that it was the natural affection we humans have for sin itself. Sure, we all sin for the pleasure or benefit derived from our unrighteous action. We lust and commit fornication for the pleasure derived from sex (Augustine knew plenty about this as well, but that's a whole 'nother issue!); we cheat and steal for what money and filthy lucre can get us. However, the severity Augustine saw in his sin of stealing those pears was the utter pointlessness of the act. He derived no pleasure or gratification from the pears. He sinned for the sake of sinning. And we are no different. Augustine saw humans as riding a bucking bronco that was our sinful nature. We do not have hold of any reins but only a whip. We can only store up more sin and thereby store up more wrath for ourselves on the day of judgment.
BUT, God has graciously made a provision on our behalf. He has given us a way to dismount the stead, as it were: it is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Though by Adam sin entered into the world, in Christ, sin is conquered. In Adam all die; in Christ all live and live more abundantly. God demands moral perfection that no man can attain (no, not one). So, God sent His son to live the life we could not and die the death of a criminal thereby atoning for all the sins of those who would come to believe. Christ's shed blood washes all our sins away, and His righteousness is imputed to all those who believe so when God looks at us, He no longer sees our iniquity but rather sees the perfect righteousness of Christ.
To all those who do not yet rest in Christ, I earnestly exhort you to repent of your sins and believe the gospel. We Christians tend to wrongly cast our heroes of the faith as marble statues who know nothing of human frailty. Nothing could be further from the truth! Augustine knew and struggled with sins few church-going Christians can mention without blushing. Augustine's example shows us that God shows mercy upon whom He will show mercy. God at times chooses the worst and most wicked among us in order to accomplish His sovereign purposes. Augustine knew this first hand. That is why he did not boast or seek salvation through his own devices and neither should we. He sought refuge in Christ and Christ alone. As a Christian who struggles at times with assurance of salvation, I always look to the Cross for true peace and to the Word for true solace. I am reminded that God's promises to those whom He has saved are not "yes and no" but "yes and amen"!
Now, on a lighter note, here is Norm MacDonald talking about lying for no good reason. He makes a valid point that reflects Augustine's sentiments regarding the theft of the pears. The part about lying begins about 45 seconds in...Enjoy!

Table Talk: Potpourri

I wanted to hit on a variety of topics today ranging from the serious to the frivolous. So let's pull up a chair at Dr. Martin's table and bend an ear:

OF SINS
CCLI.A magistrate, a father or mother, a master or dame, tradesmen and others, must now and then look through the fingers at their citizens, children, and servants, if their faults and offences be not too gross and frequent; for where we will have summum jus, there follows often summa injuria, so that all must go to wreck. Neither do they which are in office always hit it aright, but err and sin themselves, and must therefore desire the forgiveness of sins.God forgives sins merely out of grace for Christ's sake; but we must not abuse the grace of God. God has given signs and tokens enough, that our sins shall be forgiven; namely, the preaching of the gospel, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the Holy Ghost in our hearts.Now it is also needful we testify in our works that we have received the forgiveness of sins, by each forgiving the faults of his brother. There is no comparison between God's remitting of sins and ours. For what are one hundred pence, in comparison with ten thousand pounds? as Christ says, naught. And although we deserve nothing by our forgiving, yet we must forgive that thereby we may prove and give testimony that we from God have received forgiveness of our sins.The forgiveness of sins is declared only in God's Word, and there we must seek it; for it is grounded on God's promises. God forgives thee thy sins, not because thou feelest them and art sorry, for this sin itself produces, without deserving, but he forgives thy sins because he is merciful, and because he has promised to forgive for Christ's sake.(Here, Luther is speaking againt what we might call "easy-believism". So many people want the freedom from God's wrath that Christ offers without desiring the freedom from sin that is a necessary and crucial part to saving faith. We should "work out our own salvation in fear and trembling" Philippians 2:12. A saving faith must bear fruit!)

OF TEMPTATION AND TRIBULATION

DCXXXIV.It is impossible for a human heart, without crosses and tribulations, to think upon God.
DCXLIII.Ah! how willingly would I now die, for I am faint and overwrought, and at this time I have a joyful and peaceable heart and conscience. I know full well, so soon as I shall be again in health, I neither shall have peace nor rest, but sorrow, weariness, and tribulations. But even that great man, St Paul, could not be exempt from tribulations.
DCLII.My tribulations are more necessary for me than meat and drink; and all they feel them ought to accustom themselves thereunto, and learn to bear them.If Satan had not so plagued and exercised me, I should not have been so great an enemy unto him, or have been able to do him such hurt. Tribulations keep us from pride, and therewith increase the acknowledgment of Christ and of God's gifts and benefits. For, from the time I began to be in tribulation, God have me the victory of overcoming that confounded, cursed, and blasphemous life wherein I lived in popedom. God did the business in such a way, that neither the emperor nor the pope was able to suppress me, but the devil must come and set upon me, to the end God's strength may be known in my weakness.

OF GOD'S WORKS
CXVII.The devil, too, has his amusement and pleasure, which consists in suppressing God's work, and tormenting those that love God's Word, and hold fast thereby; so the true Christians, being God's kingdom, must be tormented and oppressed. A true Christian must have evil days, and suffer much; our Adam's flesh and blood must have good and easy days, and suffer nothing. How may these agree together? Our flesh is given over to death and hell: if our flesh is to be delivered from death, hell and the devil, it must keep and hold to God's commandments - i.e., must believe in Christ Jesus, that he is the Son of God and our Redeemer, and must cleave fast to his Word, believing that he will not suffer us to be plagued everlastingly, but will deliver and remove us out of this life into life eternal; giving us at the same time, patience under the cross, and to bear with the weakness of another, who is also under the cross, and holds with Christ.Therefore, he that will boast himself to be Christ's disciple, a true Christian, and saved, must not expect good days; but all his faith, hope, and love must be directed to God, and to his neighbor, that so his whole life be nothing else than the cross, persecution, adversity, and tribulation.
XC.God delights in our temptations, and yet hates them; he delights in them when they drive us to prayer; he hates them when they drive us to despair. The Psalm says: "An humble and contrite heart is an acceptable sacrifice to God," etc. Therefore, when it goes well with you, sing and praise God with a hymn: goes it evil, that is, does temptation come, then pray: "For the Lord has pleasure in those that fear him;" and that which follows is better: "and in them that hope in his goodness," for God helps the lowly and humble, seeing he says: "Thinkest thou my hand is shortened that I cannot help?" He that feels himself weak in faith, let him always have a desire to be strong therein, for that is a nourishment which God relishes in us.(I think suffering is far more beneficial than we give it credit for. We must remember that God chasens those whom he loves. I always seek a "quick fix"; instant alleviation of my pain whether it be through medication, distraction, or amusement. When I grow physically ill or feel overwhelmed with school or worldly matters, I should use that hardship to meditate on God's mercy and providence. I consider that though I am a wretched sinner, God by His grace has saved me and will allow nothing to snatch me out of His hand! That's why, when I die, if it be God's Will, I pray mine to be a slow death for the sake of my own sanctification. No amount of mental anguish or carnal agony can eclipse the glory and majesty of what is prepared for me by Christ!)

Now, Luther's lighter side:

ON GOD'S WORKS
XCII.`Tis wonderful how God has put such excellent physic in mere muck; we know by experience that swine's dung stints the blood; horse's serves for the pleurisy; man's heals wounds and black blotches; asses' is used for the bloody flux, and cow's with preserved roses, for epilepsy, or for convulsions of children.(I don't think exegesis of this excerpt is necessary!)--Soli Deo Gloria

Table Talk: On God's Word

Martin Luther, the German reformer, often had friends and guests over to his house for some beer, food, and rousing discussions of theology, politics, science, and life. I am going to be posting some excerpts from Luther's Table Talk...I would encourage you to set aside some time and reflect on the musings of this famous reformer:

I.That the Bible is God's Word and book I prove thus: All things that have been, and are, in the world, and the manner of their being, are described in the first book of Moses on the creation; even as God made and shaped the world, so does it stand to this day. Infinite potentates have raged against this book, and sought to destroy and uproot it - king Alexander the Great, the princes of Egypt and of Babylon, the monarchs of Persia, of Greece, and of Rome, the emperors Julius and Augustus - but they nothing prevailed; they are all gone and vanished, while the book remains, and will remain for ever and ever, perfect and entire, as it was declared at first. Who has thus helped it - who has thus protected it against such mighty forces? No one, surely, but God himself, who is the master of all things. And `tis no small miracle how God has so long preserved and protected this book; for the devil and the world are sore foes to it. I believe that the devil has destroyed many good books of the church, as, aforetime, he killed and crushed many holy persons, the memory of whom has now passed away; but the Bible he was fain to leave subsisting. In like manner have baptism, the sacrament of the altar, of the true body and blood of Christ, and the office of preaching remained unto us, despite the infinitude of tyrants and heretic persecutors. God, with singular strength, has upheld these things; let us, then, baptize, administer the sacrament, and preach, fearless of impediment. Homer, Virgil, and other noble, fine, and profitable writers, have left us books of great antiquity, but they are naught to the Bible. While the Romish church stood, the Bible was never given to the people in such a shape that they could clearly, understandingly, surely, and easily read it, as they now can in the German translation, which, thank God, we have prepared here at Wittenberg.

Fruit Without the Root

(Once again, I have grown much in my faith since I wrote this. I still hold to a six day creation, but it is not an issue which I will break fellowship over. Don't get me wrong, a belief in special creation by God ex nihilo is essensial, but I can allow for various interpretaions as to how He did it)
As a Biblical creationist, I seem to be in the minority. I know of very few issues that Christians will compromise over as much as Creationism. I fear that many professed Christians would rather be ripped asunder by lions than be seen as "scientifically" backward. I would remind my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember Paul's teaching to the Corinthians: "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?...For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." I would like speak on morality and how it relates to evolutionary thought. For those of the Judeo-Christian persuasion, we have an objective standard for truth: God. God is the foundation; Christ is the cornerstone. His Word is the Rock upon which we base our beliefs on what is right and wrong; good and evil. The evolutionist/materialist has a problem. They believe in a universe that came into being on its own; there is no supernatural cause. It follows that without a cause, there is no purpose. Likewise, there is no true definition of right and wrong. They themselves are concepts that have evolved chemically in the brains of man.Now, nearly all who you ask, religious or not, will condemn the death camps of the Nazis, the gulags of Stalin, and the killing fields of Pol Pot. Now, why would I, as a Christian, condemn these acts? Simple, I know that murder is immoral. According to what? Answer: God's Word. Why would they condemn these acts?...no answer. The fact is that logically, the acts of Hitler and Stalin can be fully justified by the tenets of Darwinism, but only condemned by the teachings of Christianity. Rape, murder, genocide, theft, and violence are all equally condemned by believers and nonbelievers. It is safe to say that even nonbelievers can see the merits of Christian morality. However, it is fickle and utterly subjective to pick and chose parts of the Bible to hold as useful or applicable. Thomas Jefferson did this with the New Testament by removing all of the supernatural aspects of the Gospels, leaving only Jesus' teachings on morality and ethics. How could a bright, knowledgeable man like Jefferson see some part of the Bible as reliable and reject what he did not care for? Unfortunately, too many people engage in this "cafeteria Christianity." I find that liberal Christians are mostly guilty of this. "Do unto others"? Sounds good. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me"? Uhhh, not so good. Liberals, who too often condemn conservatives as Nazis and/or Theocrats, are quick to use Jesus' words that extol the virtue of giving to the poor as justification for social welfare. As a conservative Christian (with libertarian tendencies), I still am lost on the Nazi comparison. Nazis, first off, were pagans. Hitler was a teetotaler who favored euthanasia and animal rights. The central tenet of Nazism is the hatred of the Jews. Who is the most outspoken supporter of the Jewish people? Conservative Christians. Who is openly opposed to Israel, supports animal rights, and embraces trendy pagan beliefs (New Age, Wicca, etc.)? I'd have to go with modern day, socialistic liberals. Back to my point, how can willful, personal acts of charity be compared to an involuntary, impersonal welfare state? Redistribution of wealth is a tenet of Karl Marx, not Jesus Christ. But, if liberal humanists want to legislate morality, let’s start by banning homosexuality, abortion, and extramarital sex. No? Then I suggest they leave people's hard earned money alone.All who read and study the Holy Scriptures come to what C.S. Lewis called the Trilemma. Jesus is either Lord, liar, or lunatic. He can not be just a great prophet; He can not be just a wise teacher; He can not be a pacifistic moralist. He is either a deluded megalomaniac who could turn a phrase or the Promised Messiah who reigns in glory forever and ever. There is no middle ground. Evolution holds that progress, advancement, and higher order come only through death, strife, and chaos. Yet, even most evolutionists don't like to acknowledge these inevitable consequences of their flawed world view. Jesus' teachings have shaped the world for the better. The fruits of his teachings are human rights, compassion, mercy, charity, forgiveness, and loving-kindness. However, if you enjoy these fruits, you must accept the root (or should I say, the "True Vine"?).

You Fundamentalists Are All The Same...

(When I use the word "fundamentalist" in this article, its connotation means "orthodox"; as a Reformed Christian I see card-playin', movie-goin', dancin', smokin', and drinkin' as issues of Christian liberty...so I just wanted to put that out there)
As I write this article, I would like the reader to know, I am writing it as a Bible-believing (six literal days, global flood, Jonah swallowed by whale, etc.; the whole sha-bang), fundamentalist Christian. Many secularists, even those with a conservative outlook, see fundamentalism within any religion as bigoted, restrictive, intolerant, and dangerous to liberty. However, "fundamentalism" is simply a "point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism." (dictionary.com). As far as "intolerance" goes, the definition should say "unacceptance." Christians are to tolerate other beliefs in that they should respect someone's right to espouse those beliefs. However, Christians cannot hold Christ to be THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life if they accept alternate faiths and beliefs as equally valid and true. Now before you secularists cringe at the thought of theocracy, you must first assess a religion's basic tenets. Take Biblical Christianity: supreme authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura), serve God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and treat others as you would like to be treated. Having a large section of the population believe this seems harmless if not beneficial (before you accuse me of advocating the replacement of the U.S. Constitution with the Bible, first remember the Bible itself dictates to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and render unto God what is God's"; which actually advocates the separation of church and state). Those who bomb abortion clinics, call for the extermination of "mongrel" races, and practice hypocrisy are in no way supported by the Bible; in fact, they are condemned by Exodus 20:13, Romans 2:11, and Matthew 12:34 respectively. Therefore, don't fear those who practice true fundamental Christianity, fear those religious types who don't.Now let's switch gears to Islam. Fundamental Islam calls for Muslims to convert, tax, or kill the entire world for Allah. That is what the Quran says; therefore, fundamentalist Muslims, true Muslims are obligated to do this. Christians are called to preach the gospel with love, Muslims are called to force their "gospel" with the sword and kill those who resist. Christians are commanded to pray for their enemies; Muslims are commanded to slay all their enemies.Why would Christians kill nonbelievers? The Christian's fight is a spiritual one that seeks to win souls for Christ. Christians know that while conversion and rebirth is instant, the decision to convert may take a while. Christians "plant the seeds" in peoples' hearts and "God gives the increase." For example, I abhor abortion and condemn those who perform or undergo them, but if I believe that a fetus is a human life, than I can be assured that those who have been aborted are in heaven with God. The "aborter" and the "abortee" are souls in need of the living waters of God's grace, not a Molotov cocktail. They are sinners (like me) who need to repent and believe the gospel. Christians believe Jesus will return and reign "in power and glory" when the last weary soul accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. Muslims believe Allahs kingdom will come when they have established a global theocracy; a "heaven on earth" if you are fond of the conditions of 7th Century Arabia.Fundamentalism indeed has a negative connotation. The word itself, however, is amoral. It is only as dangerous as the religion from which it is spawned. I hope it is clear that all fundamentalists are not created equal.