Theology - The Study of God.
I have a LOT of theology books on my shelf here at my office. What is more interesting than that is that some are Airen's (My finance) and some are mine (from three different Bible colleges) so they all have different things to say. Sure the core values of the Christian Faith are the same... but on the detail's there is a... umm... difference of opinion.
To summarize this difference of opinion and how it is stated in these books:
"My point of view is right. And anyone who has is a different opinion is stupid."
The problem is... they are discussing a point that has been debated even before Jesus came.
For Example:
Predestination vs. Free will long predates Calvinist and Armenian Theology... You can find sects of Judaism that confronted this issue a thousand years before Jesus came.
Does anyone find it odd that Jesus then proceeded to say nothing about it? Must not be important then...
This is just an example. This blog will be more than just DOCTRINE. Theology is the study of God and is not limited to doctrine. But let me be clear on how I view doctrine.
Absolutes:
Essentials of our faith. More than one passage in context discusses these. The existence of God, the integrity of scripture, the death and Resurrection of Jesus, heaven, hell, and the virgin birth are all absolutes. The Bible is clear in detail on these subjects.
Interpretations:
Debatable items. One passage of scripture to conclude a meaning (However in context the verse can be on a different subject). Even if you think you are right... you might not be. The Bible touches on these subjects but nowhere does it SAY an answer. People piece it together from passages. These concepts include creation science (old or new earth), predestination, free will, and how exactly the Holy Spirit does things after salvation. (I will probably talk about Interpretations often)
Deductions:
VERY debatable items. A deduction is taking one verse from one place in the Bible, connecting it with a verse from another place (which removes context) then coming to a conclusion that would not be evident from either verse on its own. Or it's when we take one aspect of culture, combine it with something else from either culture or the Scriptures and come to a firm conclusion. It's A+B=C. These are more distant subjects from the scripture like homeschooling, how to run a church service, and if a Christian has to be a Republican or a Democrat.
Personal/Cultural Preference:
Even more debated. It sounds dumb but its true. More people would leave a church because their personal preference has been violated than any other. I've met them... I know. These are things like worship and prayer styles, music, clothes, the paint on the walls, Bible version, and how much the preacher spits when he talks.
A few other quick buzz words I will use a lot and my definition of them:
Context: What the passage meant from the original writer to the original readers.
Passage: A selection of scripture that contains one complete thought from the original writer.
Verse: A section of a passage as divided by the Bible publisher. These are not found in the original manuscripts.
Looking forward to discussing these and other ideas with you! Much Love!
The Life and Thoughts of Erik Germesin.
3 comments:
Erik,
Thanks for the blog link. Great job. I would only suggest that you reconsider the "bible version" priority as that issue consitutes the very foundation upon which we base our spiritual discernment and revelation. Researching thoroughing and deciding upon a reliable and trustworhty bible translation is highly recommended for every good workman that searches the scriptures daily.
2 Timothy 2:15 Parallel Translations
NASB: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB ©1995)
GWT: Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.(GOD'S WORD®)
KJV: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
ASV: Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
BBE: Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.
DBY: Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.
ERV: Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
WEY: Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.
WBS: Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
WEB: Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
YLT: be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;
I agree with you with qualifications. Obviously there are "translations" such as the JW's that are to be avoided without question.
However, I don't consider a Bible well translated unless it is easy to read by the standards of the people group (including Americans) that it is translated for. For me personally this is not a barrier from using older translation (I'm most likely to use NASB)for study, however I would recommend the NLT for most Christians because they will actually read it because they can understand it and is a translation from original manuscripts.
What good is a Bible that sits on a shelf?
Most people who study the Bible seriously and have the ability will cross reference at least a few different translations at least some ot the time anyway. When they aren't satisfied with that, they'll "go back to the original Hebrew/Greek". When they're not satisfied with that, they can compare different lexicons. Eventually they could learn the ancient languages, even from different teachers, and eventually we're back to comparing lexicons.
My point: Bible study has varying depth for different people. It's important to combine Bible study with prayer at any level, though.
I also think it's key that the the verse in Carlos' comment says that God's approval is on those who handle the word of truth as He would have them do, and this is something to be sought after with great effort. I don't know how to do that without asking the Author.
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