Posted on 01/02/2010 9:47:55 AM PST by Gamecock
3.Where do we go to learn about theology?
If we would learn about God, then we must ultimately go to where God revealed himself. We cannot learn about God from our own thoughts and reasoning any more than we could learn about the character of some stranger across the seas without first going to converse with him.
Since God has revealed himself through creation, every human being can know him to some degree just by looking at nature. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1); and “that which can be known about God is manifest among [mankind], for God has made it manifest to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his eternal power and Godhood, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). However, the knowledge we can derive from studying creation is never enough to bring us into a personal relationship with God. It can only condemn us, as we distort and suppress that knowledge because of our wickedness, and remake God into our own image, and the image of creation around us (see Romans 1:21-23).
So then, if we would learn about God aright, we must not stop with the general revelation of God, which is to be found in creation; but we must go on to pursue an understanding of the special revelation of God, and discover how he has revealed himself supernaturally in human history. The only way that God has revealed himself exhaustively, understandably, and salvifically, that is, the only way he has both made himself known to ignorant and disobedient humans and at the same time reconciled them to himself is through Christ, who is fully God from eternity, and who became fully human in time, to reveal God to man. And the only certain, infallible record of how God has revealed himself in human history through Christ is the bible. Therefore, if we would learn about theology, we must go to the bible, to seek God's special revelation of himself through the great hero of the Bible, Jesus Christ.
Excellent article.. Happy New Year gamer!
Thanks Mom, you too!
Wow this hits home.
Christmas day we had friends over. One of these friends is a molecular biologist. He does research and teaches at a prestigious medical school in our city. A very bright guy, conservative and a lot of fun to talk with.
We talked for at least an hour about the existence of God. He refuses to believe. We talked about the shift in the 1950's from the steady state theory of the universe to the theory of the big bang. We talked about the theory that inorganic material became self replicating organic material and that the cell is so complicated and the sequencing of proteins so involved the only reasonable explanation is someone designed them. Every step of the way he denied God could have anything to do with it.
He insisted that it is all a part of natural processes that occurred over time. I thought I was living the movie Expelled. He and I will continue talking. I just mention this because he is a living example of someone whose life is studying nature and he doesn't see God in it.
This is interesting, but inaccurate. We know that in the Trinity there are three distinct persons all sharing the one Divine nature. there is God the Father who is distinct form God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit.
These persons are Coequal, co-eternal, and co-infinite. Yet if we go to the Bible alone there are various verses that indicate that God the Father and God the son are the same person "He who has seen me has seen the Father" Or that the Holy Spirit is Subservient to Jesus "I will send you another to guide you in all truth."
We also know that Jesus was fully human and fully God at the same time. Some have stated that His human nature was not fully engaged or was submissive to the divine. This heresy was known as Nestorianism.
Interesting, but that is not what the Bible says:
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:12-13
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15
Here Christ says, and Paul reaffirms, that the Church will always teach the TRUTH.
So the question is, which Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth?
And where in the New Testament do the apostles tell future generations that the Christian faith will be based solely on a book?
What is the authority that teaches all these personal opinions that you post? How long has it or he been teaching these ideas? Everything written here is Babel, separating everyone into their own religion of one.
I’m a Catholic, all these questions have long ago been answered. If your personal religion still hasn’t definitely decided whether Christ is divine, or whether one need to be baptized to be saved, or whether one can spill his seed (contraception) and still be saved, then all the other minute details are like “straining gnats”.
Here’s a simple philosophy to really change yourselves and the world “You can not lie, even to save the world” (Fr. Carl Pulvermacher)
What is the authority that teaches all these personal opinions that you post? How long has it or he been teaching these ideas? Everything written here is Babel, separating everyone into their own religion of one.
I’m a Catholic, all these questions have long ago been answered. If your personal religion still hasn’t definitely decided whether Christ is divine, or whether one need to be baptized to be saved, or whether one can spill his seed (contraception) and still be saved, then all the other minute details are like “straining gnats”.
Here’s a simple philosophy to really change yourselves and the world “You can not lie, even to save the world” (Fr. Carl Pulvermacher)
Those who knew Nestorianism was heresy, simply knew it was so because of the Holy Spirit who helped interpreted the scriptures.
The only way we can rightfully divine the word of truth is to ask God to help us interpret it correctly. All Christians should understand that those who stumble into heresy (and we all do to various degrees) is because we fail to listen to the spiritual truths taught by the Holy Spirit.
Catholic?
The Councils have been all over the place.
For example Orange was quite “Calvinistic” in nature, in that it affirmed predestination and Grace through faith.
Trent anathematized the same. A brief survey of the Councils shows how wrong your assertion is.
once again, it’s all your personal opinions. Why should anyone trust you over the millions of other so-called “christians”?
Thanks for posting!
If you keep posting your own opinions, we will never get anywhere but 1 million sects, and millions of what you call “christians”, who are their own church of one.
Thank you for your pithy insight.
I would have to politely but emphatically disagree with you. The Councils were NEVER all over the place. The Catholic Church since at least the time of Augustine accepted a limited understanding of Predestination. Trent anathematized Calvin's misunderstanding of Macro-Pre-destination (My term not theirs).
Take a look at Acts 15, The first Council. If the Apostles had gone by the "Bible" alone then the Jewish Dietary laws would still be in effect and everyone would have to become Jewish before becoming Christian.
Look at how often Jesus went against the written teachings, His disciples picked grain on the sabbath, the woman caught in adultery should have been stoned, but Jesus said not to.
You have a lot of enthusiasm but your view is very myopic, Read the Bible, but read it in context and entirety
And of course you can document this by quoting from the Council of Ephesus.
Happy New Year, Mom! Where have you been?
Obama is a cynic wrapped in a hypocrite inside a bully.
Not trying to change the subject, but I heard something interesting about the big bang theory.
It was said by a Christian minister that the big bang happened when the LORD said "Let there be light" in Genesis 1:3.
I still don't believe it, bit it is interesting.
Obama is a cynic wrapped in a hypocrite inside a bully.
Happy New year back :)
I have been around just not posting...
Hope all is well !
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