Just a few verses that connect knowedge of God & correct doctrine (aka 'theology') with practical living. These are motivation for me to know my Bible better...
1 Timothy 1:9-11- "The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
POINT- Sinful living is contrary to correct doctrine/theology.
1 Timothy 6:2-3- "Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness..."
POINT- Correct doctrine/theology accords with godliness.
Ephesians 4:13-16- "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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
POINT- "Knowledge of the Son of God" is equated with "mature manhood." Maturity ("no longer be children") is equated with doctrinal/theological stability (not carried about by "every wind of doctrine"). We are to grow to Christlikeness in every way. All this knowledge and maturity, theological/doctrinal AND practical, results in practical fruit- the body "builds itself up in love."
Titus 2:9-10- "Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."
POINT- A well-behaved worker/slave is "decorating/adorning" themselves with doctrine/theology.
Hebrews 6:1- "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity..."
POINT- The author views theological development as "maturity" in one's life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17- "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 may be competent, equipped for every good work."
POINT- Scripture (correct knowledge of Scripture is called 'theology/doctrine'!) is profitable for equipping you with "every good work."
Thanks - well done. It should also be pointed out that correct theology is not always followed by holy living - sound doctrine must be taken to heart. Some telling evidence of this is seen when Bible-believing pastors fall victim to scandalous sin.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Some correctly call Jesus Lord, yet fail to follow His teachings.
Very encouraging, Ryan. Invading your heart with the rich, inspiring, life-giving word of God is of the utmost importance for the Christian. I only pray we continue to comply with the work of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI also have a question. What do you think ought to be assessed when gauging a person's maturity (for instace, when seeking leaders in the church). Their knowledge, their holy living, both, or can it be one or the other.
Both great comments.
ReplyDelete1- Could you say that Satan has "perfect theology" cognitively?
2- Dave, you're the one getting the PhD! ou have answers, not questions!!! JK! I have no idea man! I guess my first thought is that we only gauge "a person's maturity" for their benefit. Too often I find myself doing it just naturally and never sharing it! Lame.
But also, I think 1 Timothy 3 provides a great guidelines, most of which are practical! But isn't the assumption of the Pastoral Epistles that "doctrine" is the foundation of the maturity described above?
My initial thought is that- unholy life indicates lack of maturity. Incomplete, imprecise, or incorrect theology may only indicate a lack of opportunity or exposure?
Thoughts?
Yeah, I definitely think you're right. Right 'doctrine' is the base of right living. And I also like the way you said, 'Incomplete, imprecise, or incorrect theology may only indicate a lack of opportunity or exposure.' That's right. We aren't to look askance at a person's salvation for not taking systematic theology courses!
ReplyDeleteIf I were a pastor in search of solid leaders, I think I would look at the person's desire. Whether or not he or she earnestly longs to know Christ equally in the mind as in the heart and entirely devote their lives under the Lordship of Christ. It's not about achieving the goal in this life, it's about striving to reach it.
I think we often fallaciously view someone's incorrect or anemic theology on certain issues as "disqualifying" or serious flaws, when in reality the person just needs time to grow or study more. I think all of us in this conversation (conversation? I feel so emergent!) have embraced views that were at least borderline heresy before we knew any better. I like the way Dave put it - is his (or her I suppose, if you're a mainline Protestant denomination) DESIRE to humbly learn God's truth and admit error or failure in thought?
ReplyDeleteIf Scripture was a bushy mane of unwashed curly hair, this analysis would be a savage brushing, with occasional pauses to untangle the familiar threads of split-end sermons caught on the brush's prongs.
ReplyDeleteI DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!
ReplyDelete