The stronger our theology grows, the stronger the unity within Christ’s Bride grows. This blessing has fallen to me, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. Sanctification is another word for growing or maturing in the faith. Studying theology helps … To defend the faith and guard against false teaching. Learning about God’s omnipotence, His omniscience, His omnipresence, His mercy, His grace, His sovereignty brings us to our knees. However, when we begin to really understand sin, God’s sovereignty, justice, who we are in Christ, etc we start to see how such questions are not the right questions/statements to be making. To ascertain the character of God in its aspect toward us. He says in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” We cannot mature in the faith without studying God’s Word and learning about who He is. I take comfort, O Lord. Both will enhance one’s spiritual maturity. “Knowing the right information about God is just one way we authenticate our Christianity. We feel as though we are seeing God for the first time. It amazes you with the sheer sinfulness of mankind. 1 April 2014. Like a great ship on the horizon, the closer we get, the larger He looms.” (Wilson). Every person is a theologian. If our answer is not the truth or is not something we have actually determined for ourselves through the study of Scripture, we cannot claim to be acting in “good conscience” or with a “good behavior in Christ.” In order to answer in “good conscience” and with a behavior that Christ would be pleased with, we must study what His Word has said. Hermeneutics is the science of proper interpretation. Answer and Explanation: It bewilders you with your own insignificance before God, and yet your sheer significance in his plan of redemption. Yes, doctrinal truths are often presented with unfamiliar and complicated terminology. This week we examine three benefits that arise when we engage in biblical theology: 1) it enriches our study of Scripture, 2) teaches us our spiritual heritage, and 3) leads us to worship. The insolent utterly deride me, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. I believe this should change. “To know God is to know love; to know God is to equip yourself to act in love. that I might learn your statutes. In other words, we may profess to know the God of the Bible. Humbled is the only word that comes close to describing it but it hardly seems an accurate statement. In every corner of our public world, we find people arguing about, mobilizing, and developing politics around things theological. Or what fellowship has light with darkness? And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. What agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16a), “‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. “Doctrine is meant to amaze you with the sheer power and magnitude of God. “We do want to progress in our knowledge and growth in our understanding, but we have to be careful not to be lured into the temptation to come up with something new just to be novel.” (Sproul, p.10), “Purposeful theological study of God, as an expression of love for God, cannot help but deepen our love for God.” (Wilson). in the house of my sojourning. wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:8), “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law When a Christian knows what the Bible says about something, he knows the very mind of God on the subject. Theology is essentially knowledge of God. A certain amount of knowledge is required for salvation. “Often, this ignorance of God demonstrates itself in idolatry—not the ugly and obvious idolatry of statues and shrines by the subtle idolatry of refashioning the true God into an image that fits our lives. For many students, a degree in theology is a step towards their calling to work in the church. Indeed, the study of theology has often run afoul of the legal separation of church and state. To discover his designs toward man in his original and his present state. that your promise gives me life. We must remember what Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman at the well: ‘True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. It’s the secret to living the most joyful and satisfied life. God’s Word instructs us to “judge all things” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16), judge with a right judgment (John 7:24), and to judge teachers/preachers on their doctrinal “fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20). Ligonier. The law of your mouth is better to me Your love for God is limited by your knowledge of him, so that you can really only love him as far as you know him. Helping you grow in God's all-sufficient grace and truth. God’s Word commands us to Study Theology (Sound Doctrine) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Web. Most people don’t study theology at all in college—especially those who attend public universities and colleges. This applies directly to your new career in nursing by preparing you to deal with complex technical issues, while being able to effectively communicate with doctors, patients and families. {Are they mad at God because of a great tragedy or abuse? Benefits of Studying the Old Testament Warren Baldwin Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy … Many people claim to worship God and show great sincerity in their worship but it is not enough to just go through the motions or be sincere but we must do so in the ways God has outlined in His Word. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (1 Timothy 3:16-17). Studying theology matures us in the faith. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” (2 Peter 2:1-2), “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24). For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. We must study theology to know what is good fruit and what is bad. Studying theology matures our discernment and protects us from being deceived. Studying theology helps us know what and why we believe and how to defend those beliefs. then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, Check out the parable of the seeds: and observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34), “Your hands have made and fashioned me; Being a studier of God doesn’t mean we are … theological studies degree. To love him, the most worthy exercise of our affections. “Your word is a lamp to my feet but I do not turn away from your law. The Bible is about God. It’s the secret to living the most joyful and satisfied life. To know this mighty Being, as far as he may be known, [which] is the noblest aim of the human understanding. We should seek unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ but there comes a time when we must divide from those who teach a false theology. He has given us His Word to sanctify us and make us stronger in the faith. 4:16). Many teach we should unify with these false teachers but this is in opposition to what God’s Word teaches. your salvation according to your promise; http://www.challies.com/articles/6-great-reasons-to-study-doctrine, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, Everyone’s A Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/why-theological-study-everyone/. Rose, we would certainly benefit from having you with us in our study. However, Scripture the only infallible, inerrant, completely sufficient source of Truth. The more we understand theology the better we become as understanding what we can and cannot unite with. I love Christ because He first loved me. The Bible not only warns us of false teachers rising up in the church but also instructs us in what to do when we see/hear of false teaching/teachers. Bob Hunter Post author August 26, 2013 at 7:02 pm. We are expected to handle His Word rightly. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’” (Matthew 10:34-39). If God is truly the Creator, the Sustainer, the Savior, and Sovereign, why wouldn’t we want to study theology? Do you know that you have the right God? The fact that there are and will continue to be false teachers within the professing church is an undeniable fact. give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. It is how God has chosen to tell us about Himself. Because we’re human (and sinners), we’re apt to find some biblical teachings hard to embrace. “But theological study goes deeper than simply authenticating our worship as true and godly—it also fuels this worship. What are the benefits of studying a Charles Sturt theology degree? On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”. God sanctifies us through His Word. When we really study the true God of the Bible, we quickly realize that we are not actually the center of the universe. To serve him, the most honorable and delightful purpose to which we can devote our time and talents. To contemplate the display of his attributes in his works and dispensations. Biblical theology provides us with fresh insight into parts of Scripture that … Where you spend eternity rests on having the right God. Define Theology Theology is defined as “the systematic study of the nature of God and God's relationship with humanity and with the world. The book we’re using, Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology), was published by Zondervan in 1995 and is generally recognized as the best systematic theology … One of the strengths of theology is that it touches the core of what it is to be human – that means that at some point those studying it will address issues that directly affect them (whether positively or negatively); long held ideas will be challenged, arguments to which they ideologically opposed must be fairly and constructively considered. Theology & Religious Studies is far from being outdated; it’s still very pertinent … We cannot just give any old answer. He is reminding Timothy that the sanctification resulting in continual discipleship to Christ necessarily includes intense study of God’s Word.” (Wilson). “Churches are bound together by the beliefs they share. Scottish pastor and theologian John Dick (1764-1833) gave the following reasons in his systematic theology. Theology is what we think about God, which then determines what we think about ourselves and how we live in relation to God and others. We all basically understand what is meant in the biblical warning that “knowledge puffs up” (1 Cor. Instead, it is inextricably connected to assurance and conviction. There are many great preachers, teachers, and books that are full of wonderful wisdom and are beneficial in helping us understand Scripture. If we do not have the right information about God, we do not have the right god and, therefore, we have no god at all. Divorcing your study of theology from the local church. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. when I learn your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:7), “Remember your word to your servant, Finally, studying theology aids us in evangelism. False theology is not of God and must not be associated with by those who claim to be the Bride of Christ. A solid understanding of the gospel and character of God allows us to rationally declare the truth [Acts 26:24-26]. In studying theology we actually learn what the true definition of grace, mercy, love, justice, sin, and other words we misuse every day. There is also a practice called eisegesis. Laypeople have no biblical warrant to leave the duty of doctrine up to pastors and professors alone.” (Wilson), “[People] may love a God of their own imaginations, when they are far from loving such a God as reigns in heaven.” ~ Jonathan Edwards, “Having formed in their minds such a god as suits them, and thinking God to be such a one as favors and agrees with them, [people] may like him very well…when they are far from loving the true God.” ~ Jonathan Edwards. “The purpose of theology is not to tickle our intellects but to instruct us in the ways of God, so that we can grow up into maturity and fullness of obedience to Him. If our idea of God deviates from what He has described of Himself, we have created an idol. 6 October 2014. We are to preach the word, be ready, and reprove, rebuke, and exhort.