Where do we go to learn about theology?

CPRF ^ | Nathan Pitchford & John Hendryx

[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.

[HarleyD]

I do know how spoken words can be the truth – when they come from the Church Christ established.

All those quotes you've provided we would agree on. The thing we don't agree on is what constitutes the "church".

You have yet to explain the difference between the "inspired" and "uninspired" writing let alone the spoken word. You just keep throwing out quotes that are nebulous in context. Do you believe everything that comes from the Church carries the SAME equal weight as the inspired scriptures? Let me ask if you believe the decree from Rome of paying for indulgences was considered the "truth" at the time it was issued by the Pope? Was it the truth after the practice was rescinded by the Council of Trent?

How do you know this? You have a record of all of his spoken words? You really need to take a course in logic. You make no sense much of the time.

What??? That Paul's writings in the scripture was inspired? Because the early church fathers blessed it as inspired. Because Peter confirms it was inspired. And because the church accepted it and used it as inspired.

Or what??? That Paul's writings that is not in scripture is not inspired? If someone tomorrow uncovered Paul's 3rd letter to the Corinthians or Paul's letter to the Church in Boise, it would make no difference. The Bible was sealed so that there would be no more works that would be considered "inspired". Inspired writing had a set criteria. Those works of Paul found after all these years would be considered no more "inspired" than St. Clement's works from a biblical standpoint. For sure they be interesting but they would not have meant the definition of what an inspired work constitute; in this case evidence of wide spread use throughout the churches.

You must provide evidence of inspiration-not simply because a group of men say it's so or there is some passage that says the church is the foundation of truth. Yes we all would agree with that. How about the Holy Spirit will guide you to all truth? Protestants have a different interpretation to that meaning. The early church fathers saw this all coming and wisely made the distinction between "inspired" writing and "uninspired". They did not get into "inspired" words and it wasn't until 1800 years later that the Pope declared himself to be infallible.

Frankly, I don't see how difficult this is to comprehend.

BTW-I have taken a course in logic. Several as a matter of fact.