So, you won't find any of that in here, unless I read something somewhere and want to make it make sense to everyone else, in that case I will. I read the plain statements of scripture as just that—plain statements! I also try not to add commentaries by 'theologians' because they just tend to muddy the waters of understanding. I think the Bible was written in a way that does not require a masters of divinity to comprehend. Call me crazy, but that's just how I roll. However, every once in a while I might read something by someone that totally makes sense and then I might share it. If you think I am at anytime misquoting, misinterpreting, or abusing the scriptures than feel free to voice your concerns, I do not claim to have superior knowledge of anything and I believe All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Let's all be willing to learn and let the Spirit lead us into all truth together.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Theology for the Un-Scholars
My purpose in this blog is to take a look at Scriptures and really get to the bottom of what they are saying, without all the theological mumbo jumbo. There's nothing worse that trying to understand the 'soteriological implications surrounding the preeminence of the Chicago Statement in an exegetic....WHAT?!
So, you won't find any of that in here, unless I read something somewhere and want to make it make sense to everyone else, in that case I will. I read the plain statements of scripture as just that—plain statements! I also try not to add commentaries by 'theologians' because they just tend to muddy the waters of understanding. I think the Bible was written in a way that does not require a masters of divinity to comprehend. Call me crazy, but that's just how I roll. However, every once in a while I might read something by someone that totally makes sense and then I might share it. If you think I am at anytime misquoting, misinterpreting, or abusing the scriptures than feel free to voice your concerns, I do not claim to have superior knowledge of anything and I believe All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Let's all be willing to learn and let the Spirit lead us into all truth together.
So, you won't find any of that in here, unless I read something somewhere and want to make it make sense to everyone else, in that case I will. I read the plain statements of scripture as just that—plain statements! I also try not to add commentaries by 'theologians' because they just tend to muddy the waters of understanding. I think the Bible was written in a way that does not require a masters of divinity to comprehend. Call me crazy, but that's just how I roll. However, every once in a while I might read something by someone that totally makes sense and then I might share it. If you think I am at anytime misquoting, misinterpreting, or abusing the scriptures than feel free to voice your concerns, I do not claim to have superior knowledge of anything and I believe All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Let's all be willing to learn and let the Spirit lead us into all truth together.
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Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you have entered the blog-o-sphere! I look forward to reading your future posts.
I agree that we need to work towards clarity in our approach when discussing biblical and theological concepts; however, I am not sure that abstinence from “theological mumbo jumbo” is the best way to do that. From the earliest moments in childhood, we worked, and are now helping our children work, towards developing our/their use and understanding of language. Is there a certain age when this development should cease? According to your last sentence, you seem to be willing to learn, but are we only to learn basic concepts, or simple truths? If so, this would seem to advocate not moving beyond simple Bible stories, simple arithmetic, simple grammar, simple science, etc. But who is to say that what is not simple to someone is also not simple to everyone.
Moreover, are we not capitulating to our “dumb-it-down” culture by stressing that we do not need to know biblical and theological terms? For instance, what about the word “propitiation”? Were Paul and John wrong in using this “theological mumbo jumbo”? If they were wrong, then what? If they were not wrong, how are we to differentiate when it is appropriate to use such terms?
J. P. Moreland, one of the eminent Christian philosophers of our day, stressed that we need a return to brainpower; we need a return to thinking deeply about serious issues. You should pick up his book “Love Your God With All Your Mind.” Therefore, should we only attempt to read and understand the plain statements of Scripture? What about texts like Col 3:3-4? Should we just leave this text alone because we might have initial difficulty in plumbing the depths of this text?
In addition, and as a friendly caveat, I would be cautious of claiming that you do not have superior knowledge, when, in fact, the appearance is that you are claiming just that (e.g., “unless I read something somewhere and want to make it make sense to everyone else…). Although we should work to maintain humility in our knowledge, we should also be grateful for the knowledge that we acquire. To be sure, God has gifted teachers and thinkers throughout history to help us understand his word to us, and although theologians can “muddy the waters,” this does not necessarily mean that all do; I think they are the exception, not the rule.
Lastly, although I believe that God is intricately involved in everything, I am not sure to what extent God is involved in everything. In other words, I am not sure how much emphasis we should place on texts like John 16:13, as they pertain to helping us acquire knowledge. If the Holy Spirit is to “lead us into all truth together,” why do we not all agree on every doctrine and biblical tenet? Could it be that this text speaks more to the application of truth?
Just some food for thought…
Blessings!
Thanks Dan! I look forward to hearing your feedback, I have a deep respect for you as a friend and brother, and take what you say to heart-even if I may not totally agree with it :) I'd like to address your following question first.
Delete"For instance, what about the word “propitiation”? Were Paul and John wrong in using this “theological mumbo jumbo”? If they were wrong, then what?"
When I refer to 'theological mumbo-jumbo', I mean words and phrases that we have 'coined' to explain something biblical. I am not referring to big words found in the bible. I think it is very important to understand words that Paul or any other biblical author uses, and if you don't know what propitiation means you better look it up, otherwise how will you know what Paul is saying? I hope that clears that issue up for you and everyone else reading. Please don't misread me. Vocabulary is a great thing! When I read something with words I don't know, I look them up so I can understand. We should always be wanting to further our knowledge. My point however is this. Just because I may know some big vocabulary, doesn't mean that my readers do, and I don't expect them to. So if and when I use big vocabulary, I try to explain it or structure my sentence in a way that explains what the word means. If you make your readers feel dumb because they don't know half of the words you use, than you won't have many readers! This is why the President, during any of his speeches, talks at a 9th grade level.
Lastly, when talking about the plain statements of scripture, I am not encouraging people to just skim the surface and not dig deep into God's Word. Many times we feel the need to over explain these plain statements though, and what happens is that we strip them of any significance. "Jesus dosn't REALLY mean LOVE your enemies! What about Husssien, Bin Ladin, that bully at work!" Look at how many conservative, Republican christians are pro-war, and it's because they don't take plain statements seriously.
I hope that helps you see where I am coming from and I hope you enjoy reading my posts.
God Bless