Theology-ology February 12, 2009
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Do we love theology (the study of God)? Or, do are we fascinated with simply studying theology? Tim Challies provides a helpful self-examination (for himself and us) of the constant danger of falling in love with studying the truths of God rather than the actual God behind those truths. Challies’ thoughts are penetrating and convicting. This trap is a constant threat I must guard myself against.
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Theology-ology
Tim Challies
Theology remains something of a bad word in Christian circles. I’d believe that the success of a book like The Shack has proven this to us yet again. Many people seem eager to embrace some form of Christian spirituality but have little desire or love for theology. Theology is linked in people’s minds with frigid, dead religion that cares more about principles and matters of the head than deeds and matters of the heart. It is associated with fundamentalism and with cold conservatism. We need only look at the meaning and etymology of the word, though, to conclude that God requires all Christians to be theologians.
The word theology, as I’m sure you know, is derived from two Greek words. The root “theos” means God and the suffix “-ology” comes from the Greek word for speak. So what theology really means is “speaking of God” or as has become the more accurate definition, “the study of God.” That sounds quite inoffensive, doesn’t it? If you are a Christian, I suspect that it sounds exciting. If you love God and if you are loved by God, you will want to know him. I don’t think any Christian can deny that we are called by God to learn more about him and to study his ways. The process of sanctification is just that–learning more and more about God and his requirements for our lives. Our lifelong challenge is to mold our lives to fit into that image.
So what is it, then, that people are rebelling against when they disassociate themselves from theology? I believe that what they are running from is better termed “theology-ology.” It is a study of the study of God. If a Christian is diligent in studying God through the right motives and methods and for the right reasons, there will necessarily be change in his life. He cannot help but be changed by the living Word of God. However, if someone studies God only to acquire knowledge about him without applying any of that knowledge to his life, he is not so much studying God as he is studying the study of God. The study of God when done as he has commanded must always lead to application, heart change and then life change. Conversely, studying God through improper motives and methods with no view to application cannot affect true heart change in anyone.
There seems to be a fine line between theology and theology-ology. The line is not found in what we study as much as it is the motives behind the study and the result we expect to achieve. For example, 1 Corinthians 11 speaks about the necessity of women wearing head coverings while in church. I can look at that section of the Bible in two different ways. I can go in with a motive of wanting to show that women are subservient to men and sin if they do not wear head coverings in church. I can begin this study with the intent to prove to my wife that she needs to wear a head covering next Sunday. On the other hand, I can turn to this section with a motive of wanting to understand what God is trying to teach us in this passage. I can seek to understand the principles the Bible is teaching and how those relate to people today. I can begin my study with the intent to learn something that I can humbly and prayerfully apply to my life. This is an extreme or simplistic example perhaps, but it displays the difference between wanting to acquire knowledge of God through proper or improper methods and for right or wrong intentions.
I love theology. I love studying God and continually learning about him and about what he has done. I must confess that there is a part of me that also loves to study the study of God. There are many times in my life where I have learned about God simply so I could have more knowledge about him, never intending to change myself in response to what I have learned. There have been times where I have studied God just so I could convince others of their need to change. It is my prayer that whenever I study God I do so with proper motives and with a humble attitude, preparing myself to be changed by what I learn about him.
Strong Men February 12, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Notable Quotes, Preaching.add a comment
Here’s a quote from Steven Lawson’s book, Foundations of Grace.
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“Strong men always proclaim a strong message. They do not read the polls and check the surveys before they give their opinions. In fact, they do not even have opinions—they have convictions. They bleed convictions. They are strong men anchored in the strong Word of God, and, as such, they bring a message with gravitas and punch. When they stand to speak, they actually have something to say—and they say it, whether anyone listens or not. When they sit to write, they do not skirt the issues—they tackle them. When they address the times in which they live, they do not tickle ears—they box them. They do not have one message for one group and a different message for a different group. Wherever they go and whomever they address, they have only one message— God’s message. This is what makes them strong men. They speak God’s Word, or they do not speak at all.”
A Day with Dr. Don February 9, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Gospel, Preaching, Spiritual Growth, Video.add a comment
Dr. Don Carson from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School did a daylong series of lectures on Christ over at Mars Hill. They’re great! You can watch/listen to them all for free here.
That’s My King! February 6, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Video.1 comment so far
I saw this video a few weeks ago and was simply touched by these heart-stirring words by the late Dr. S. M. Lockridge. (Here’s the audio file of the entire sermon.)
The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews.
He’s the King of Israel.
He’s the King of righteousness.
He’s the King of the ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of glory.
He’s the King of kings,
and He’s the Lord of lords.
That’s my King.
I wonder…Do you know Him?
My King is a sovereign King.
No means of measure can define his limitless love.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s Savior.
He’s the centerpiece of civilization.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He’s the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent,
and He beautifies the meager.
I wonder if you know Him?
He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?
Well, His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous,
and His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you.
Yes, He’s indescribable.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hand.
You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.
Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him
but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him.
and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
Yeah…that’s my King, that’s my King.
Puritan Prayers Rock! February 6, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Notable Quotes, Prayer.3 comments
A while ago my pastor got me a book. It’s actually a collection of puritan prayers called The Valley of Vision. Being a bit skeptical, I didn’t think this would be very helpful. “Prayer has to be spontaneous,” I thought.
Over the past few months I have benefited so much by these prayers of old. It’s so often the case that our own prayers can be so shallow and monotonous and dry. As I thought about it, I kept thinking back to the psalms. The Psalter was the worship manual of the people God. And then I began to think about the songs we sing in church. An individual wrote them and then musical notes were added to them and then we get sing them. In fact, we memorize many of them. So, all that to say that there’s nothing wrong in repeating something. These collection of old prayers have deepened my own prayer before God.
Here’s one short prayer that has become my prayer over and over again as I press onward in this race of faith.
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A Disciple’s Renewal
O my Saviour,
Help me.
I am so slow to learn, so prone to forget, so weak to climb;
I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights;
I am pained by my graceless heart,
my prayerless days,
my poverty of love,
my sloth in the heavenly race,
my sullied conscience,
my wasted hours,
my unspent opportunities.
I am blind while light shines around me:
take the scales from my eyes,
grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.
Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,
meditate on thee,
gaze on thee,
sit like Mary at thy feet,
lean like John upon thy breast,
appeal like Peter to thy love,
count like Paul all things dung.
Give me increase and progress in grace so that there may be
more decision in my character,
more vigour in my purposes,
more elevation in my life,
more fervour in my devotion,
more constancy in my zeal.
As I have a position in the world,
keep me from making the world my position;
May I never seek in the creature
what can be found only in the creator;
Let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight.
Ride forth in me, thou king of kings and lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end.
George Beverly Shea — 100 Years Old February 3, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Longtime ministry partner of Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea, recently celebrated his 100th birthday.
What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? (Reader’s Den Review) January 24, 2009
Posted by Ivan in Reader's Den Review.add a comment
Recommend: Yes
Genre: Doctrine / Calvinism
Summary:
The “doctrines of grace”– or Calvinism — are often seen as outlandish and an unbiblical view of man, God, and salvation. Richard Phillips wants to take a look at these doctrines and, in survey format, highlight the biblical grounds for such doctrines.
The introductory chapter contains a fine exposition of Isaiah 6:1 – 7:14. He examines how Isaiah’s vision of God’s sovereignty and that awareness lead him to live differently. He lists four “hallmarks” which no doubt will cause us to live differently: 1) a readiness to serve; 2) humble, trusting obedience; 3) holy boldness; 4) reliance on sovereign, saving grace. Great chapter!
Read it for what it is: a short yet helpful introductory work into the vast subject of the doctrines of grace. Do not expect to go very in depth into the subject.
Book Structure:
- What’s So Great About . . . the Sovereignty of God?
- What’s So Great About . . . Unconditional Election?
- What’s So Great About . . . Limited Atonement?
- What’s So Great About . . . Irresistible Grace?
- What’s So Great About . . . the Perseverance of the Saints?
Notable Quotes:
- “Indeed, is is when we best see our lost condition that we most treasure the gospel. This is what the doctrine of total depravity tells us—that the only way someone like this, someone like you and me, is going to be made right with God is by radical grace. And when we combine an accurate appraisal of man’s total depravity with a biblical vision of the absolute holiness of God, we see the gospel in all its glory. It is when we set God’s high and right demands next to our low and base performance, and when we compare His glorious being with our utter corruption, that we see the true problem of life. This is the great gulf between us and God, indeed an infinite one, as high as the heavens are above the earth. It is a problem that could be solved, a chasm that could be spanned, only on a hill far away, on an old rugged cross, ‘where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain’” (p. 29).
- “Awe and gratitude drive the true Christian life and draw us joyfully to God’s grace in Christ. It is from the pit of our lost condition that we gaze up toward a God so high and perfect in His holiness. But from that vantage point we come to see fully . . . its height. The cross of Christ then rises up to span the full and vast distance that marks how far short we are of the glory of God, and that cross becomes exceedingly precious in our eyes” (p. 31-32).
- “When we realize that no one could be saved by God’s justice and that His mercy is by its very nature sovereignly distributed, and recognize that our faith in Christ reveals that God chose us despite our demerit by His simple, sovereign grace, then we will see what a great doctrine this is. But more than that, we will start to glory in the perfection and majesty and the wonder of God’s grace for us. And we will ascribe all glory to Him with unspeakable joy” (p. 49).
- “Indeed, irresistible grace glorifies the entire Trinity by proving how intimately involved God is in every conversion. It reminds us that when we speak about God’s grace, we do not mean that God sits afar and cuts sinners a little slack by giving them a second chance. Rather, God places His holy hands on our filthy hearts. With more personal contact than any surgeon uses in operating on our bodies, God is intimately involved in saving our souls. How sublime beyond words it is to realize that the transcendent, majestic God takes such a personal interest in every sinner who comes to faith in Christ. Far from being a nameless number in a vast crowd, every believer has been personally ministered to by God’s overwhelming grace. Truly, He is to us as a Father to His dear children and as a Shepherd to His beloved flock” (p. 80-81).
The Greatest Hindrance to the Gospel Today January 22, 2009
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Challies gives a humbling and honest answer to the real reason why at times the Gospel might be hindered.
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You know the oft-told story, I am sure. G.K. Chesterton, along with other prominent authors of his day, was asked by The Times to answer this question: “What’s Wrong with the World?” His answer was beautiful in its simplicity and brilliant in its profundity.
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Sincerely yours,
G. K. Chesterton
As I ponder the greatest hindrances to the gospel today, I can’t help but feel that Chesteron’s words are applicable to this question, too. And yet, at the same time, I feel as if they are wrong; dead wrong.
I Am
I, as a Christian, hinder the spread of the gospel and hinder its power in the world.
I hinder the gospel when I lose confidence in the gospel—in the powerful simplicity of the good news that Jesus Christ has died to save sinners. Our age has seen more gospel innovation than any other. We have unprecedented access to programs, teachings and technologies that claim to be able to further the gospel’s spread. But how easy it is to find that my confidence is in the programs or in the teachers or in the technologies, rather than in the gospel message itself. How quick I am to prefer my own message and my own methods above those given to me by God.
I hinder the gospel when what I do fails to match what I say. When I claim to follow Christ but allow my actions to betray my words, a watching world scoffs at the gospel, and rightly so. When I claim to have been transformed by God’s grace but live as if God has made no change at all, I cause others to heap contempt on the gospel. Robert Robinson said this so eloquently in his great hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing:” “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” Living in the constant tension of being both saint and sinner, I am prone to wander away from the One I love; prone to live as if He is nothing to me. And in this I hinder the gospel.
I Am Not
From my human perspective, I am the greatest hindrance to the gospel. But the Bible tells me to look higher. It tells me with glorious clarity that nothing, no one, is able to hinder the gospel. It tells me to place my confidence in the God whose plans cannot be stopped. My lack of confidence in the gospel, my indifference to it, and my unfaithfulness in spreading it, cannot truly hinder the work of God. God reigns supreme over all.
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34b-35)
Not one person who truly seeks after God will be hindered from embracing Christ as Lord and Savior. Christ, the Good Shepherd, has sent His Spirit to gather a people to himself. Christ knows his own and his own know him. He will draw them to himself and not one will be lost; not one can be lost. Far be it from me to think that I can stand in the way of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that was and is and ever will be.
What is the greatest hindrance to the gospel today? I am, but nothing is. God reigns supreme.
