jennapants says:
December 7, 2009 at 2:32 pm
This post makes me think of the many times I’ve felt guilty for not *feeling* correct theology.
For instance, sometimes, when I’m trying to tell my Dad what’s going on in my life, he jumps in with the theological pep talk, usually asking first, “Who’s in control?”
I just think that sometimes, people rush others into theological correctness without allowing for real human emotion.
Yes, God is in control. In fact, in his sovereignty, he did such-and-such…and it was and is an awfully painful experience. And there are realities of pain, frustration, confusion, etc to work and talk through…not MERELY God’s glorious plan, but short-term REAL yuckiness.
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Chris T says:
December 7, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I love correct theology. But your comments are going to make me think twice about how I share it with my kids one day.
Truth is beautiful, but truth in love [Eph. 4:15] is glorious.
Thanks.
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Eli says:
December 8, 2009 at 11:31 am
It makes me sad that sometimes people feel that they need to make a theology that is nice and neat and has no holes… it makes me wonder if that’s really what living a life of faith is about… I think we miss so much of life when we focus solely on the rules and the regulations.
Jennapants I think your right and I will say that theology starts to get more difficult when you are faced with real life.
Anyway...I remember my 'theology nazi' phase where I screened everything theological through such a tight screen that I don't even know if anything Paul himself said would get through. Have you ever been like that? Now, I will quickly add that having your theology correct is of paramount importance (2 Tim. 2:15), but if its 'done' at the cost of losing your love, are you not a resounding gong or clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13:1)?
Life (and love) is messier than putting theological ducks in perfect rows.
should I or shouldn't I? hmmmm. I think I'm still really close to the 'theology nazi' phase. I mean... look around you. Most or too many people have no clue what Truth is or what the Bible says about things. Rather, folks want to put their thoughts and feelings right up there with the veracity of the Holy Scriptures. NO WAY! That's a sure-fired way to screw things up. I'm fed up with the pastor who has untethered himself from the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ in order to coddle and pander to a group of people who want to 'play nice' in the middle of a battlefield. So play down the truth and play up the 'feelings' and the warm fuzzies and the sovereignty of man in setting his own path to God. Its shameful and arrogant.
ReplyDeleteI realize I may still want my black & white to be where is doesn't belong, but I'll err on the side of Truth if I have to. I've seen the other side for 40+ yrs. Erring on the side of grace may sound 'holy and righeous', but it may be nothing short of pandering to the flesh.
This is why we need solid theology from the Word of God. Correct, biblically informed theology is an anchor for our hearts and minds.
Jennapants may want her moment to 'feel'... but the Truth is the same yesterday, today and FOREVER. God is Truth... our pride will always offer a way to set ourselves above the truth. The 'theological' truth is what we need most... it is an anchor for the soul. Without it we are tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
Sorry if its coming across preachy.. I just have been to the other side and it ain't glory.
I agree Chris... having your theology correct is of paramount importance. Know God's Word... listen to Him speak/breathe it out to you daily.
I hope and pray my love will be eternal and not temporal in its focus and impact.
Regarding what Eli had to say - I'm not sure theology gets more difficult when you're faced with real life. I've experienced a lot of REAL life and what I've known in those circumstances about God and the way He works, loves, keeps, instructs, etc, has been my refuge. I also think that a proper theology breeds Christlikeness. "Orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy"
ReplyDeleteThanks to both of you for your thoughts. Made me want to expand on my own, but rather than add them as another comment, I made a new post, Theological Correctness Part 2.
ReplyDeleteBlaine, care to expand on "Orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy?"
Haha - yeah, I lifted that phrase from http://www.underdogtheology.blogspot.com . It just simply means that a right belief leads to right living. What we believe about Jesus, or the Father, or the Holy Spirit, leads us to behave in certain ways. Aberrations are everywhere of course: the Emergent village, Mormonism, cults of all kinds. I guess in relation to these posts, knowing the Truth about Jesus should put us in the upper right quadrant of the graph you presented in the follow up post. Great illustration btw!
ReplyDelete