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Where do we go to learn about theology?
CPRF ^ | Nathan Pitchford & John Hendryx

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.


TOPICS: Apologetics; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: doctrine; theology
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What is theology?
Why is the study of theology important?
1 posted on 01/02/2010 9:47:55 AM PST by Gamecock
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To: drstevej; OrthodoxPresbyterian; CCWoody; Wrigley; Gamecock; Jean Chauvin; jboot; AZhardliner; ...

2 posted on 01/02/2010 9:52:00 AM PST by Gamecock (We always have reasons for doing what we do.)
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To: Gamecock

Excellent article.. Happy New Year gamer!


3 posted on 01/02/2010 9:58:42 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7

Thanks Mom, you too!


4 posted on 01/02/2010 10:13:33 AM PST by Gamecock (We always have reasons for doing what we do.)
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To: Gamecock
However, the knowledge we can derive from studying creation is never enough to bring us into a personal relationship with God.

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.

5 posted on 01/02/2010 10:25:44 AM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: Gamecock; FatherofFive
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.

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.

6 posted on 01/02/2010 10:35:36 AM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on Television)
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To: Gamecock
And the only certain, infallible record of how God has revealed himself in human history through Christ is the bible.

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?

7 posted on 01/02/2010 10:59:52 AM PST by FatherofFive (Islam is an EVIL like no other, and must be ERADICATED. Barack OBORTION is a close second.)
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To: Gamecock

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)


8 posted on 01/02/2010 11:07:12 AM PST by verdadjusticia
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To: Gamecock

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)


9 posted on 01/02/2010 11:07:21 AM PST by verdadjusticia
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To: verga; Gamecock; FatherofFive
I would disagree; I think it's highly accurate. The only way the early creeds were estabished were through the scriptures and how God has revealed Himself to us. For example, we know that God the Father, Son, and Spirit are all presented in the Old Testament in various ways. Our "logical" conclusion to sorting this out comes from the wisdom that God gives us as Christians.

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.

10 posted on 01/02/2010 11:18:06 AM PST by HarleyD
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To: FatherofFive; HarleyD

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.


11 posted on 01/02/2010 11:29:38 AM PST by Gamecock (We always have reasons for doing what we do.)
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To: HarleyD

once again, it’s all your personal opinions. Why should anyone trust you over the millions of other so-called “christians”?


12 posted on 01/02/2010 11:32:31 AM PST by verdadjusticia
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To: Gamecock

Thanks for posting!


13 posted on 01/02/2010 11:44:49 AM PST by bperiwinkle7 ( In the beginning was the WORD................)
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To: Gamecock
re: 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.

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.

14 posted on 01/02/2010 1:08:50 PM PST by verdadjusticia
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To: verdadjusticia
once again, it’s all your personal opinions.

Thank you for your pithy insight.

15 posted on 01/02/2010 1:13:14 PM PST by HarleyD
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To: Gamecock; FatherofFive
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.

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

16 posted on 01/02/2010 1:26:26 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on Television)
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To: HarleyD; FatherofFive
Those who knew Nestorianism was heresy, simply knew it was so because of the Holy Spirit who helped interpreted the scriptures.

And of course you can document this by quoting from the Council of Ephesus.

17 posted on 01/02/2010 1:37:55 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on Television)
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To: RnMomof7

Happy New Year, Mom! Where have you been?

Obama is a cynic wrapped in a hypocrite inside a bully.


18 posted on 01/02/2010 3:14:33 PM PST by rdb3 (The mouth is the exhaust pipe of the heart.)
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To: wmfights
We talked about the shift in the 1950's from the steady state theory of the universe to the theory of the big bang.

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.


19 posted on 01/02/2010 3:28:33 PM PST by rdb3 (The mouth is the exhaust pipe of the heart.)
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To: rdb3

Happy New year back :)

I have been around just not posting...

Hope all is well !


20 posted on 01/02/2010 4:02:49 PM PST by RnMomof7
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