In other words, we may profess to know the God of the Bible. Theological research is applied to all religions that include belief in a deity. 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. Theology can be thought of as loving God with your mind. for I trust in your word. Do you know that you have the right God? 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. Like a great ship on the horizon, the closer we get, the larger He looms.” (Wilson). Nobody likes an egghead. Why Theological Study is for Everyone. We feel as though we are seeing God for the first time. Sanctification is another word for growing or maturing in the faith. Many teach we should unify with these false teachers but this is in opposition to what God’s Word teaches. Theology is the study of God. Web. 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. Due to the fact that we’ve been created in the image of God with a conscience stirred by an innate God-consciousness, we all have an interest in theology. By God’s grace, I’m a husband, dad, grandpa, and a pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Mayfield Hts, OH. This answer must be one in which we will have a “good conscience” that our answer and the way we answer aligns with a “good behavior in Christ.”. To discover his designs toward man in his original and his present state. God has warned us many times that there would be false teachers rise up in the professing church. KEDS Director of Studies Dr Stephen Vantassel explores the practical benefits of a theological education in a short but useful essay that ought to be read by anyone considering enrolling on a Bible college or seminary programme. And as you see it, you are humbled. because I have hoped in your word.” (Psalm 119:73-74). The Bible is about God. The more clearly we understand who God really is and how man is truly fallen; our hearts gush with desire to see all men saved. What you learn of God should always motivate your worship. Knowing God, what God is like, and that God ultimately transcends our thoughts cultivates intimacy, union, and mystery in our relationship with God. “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. Studying theology teaches us how to properly read, interpret, and understand God’s Word. A theology degree is a good place to start for anyone wanting to pursue their faith, whether as a minister, a pastor or a youth worker. When I say every Christian must be a theologian, I don’t mean that every Christian must be an academic or that every Christian must be a scholar or that every Christian must work hard at giving the impression of being a know-it-all. Humbled is the only word that comes close to describing it but it hardly seems an accurate statement. In studying theology we actually learn what the true definition of grace, mercy, love, justice, sin, and other words we misuse every day. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. “But theological study goes deeper than simply authenticating our worship as true and godly—it also fuels this worship. your salvation according to your promise; Who wouldn’t want to know everything they could about the One in ultimate control over everything? Is that really why God chose to include this event in His Word? Learning about God’s omnipotence, His omniscience, His omnipresence, His mercy, His grace, His sovereignty brings us to our knees. 6 October 2014. There are many preachers/teachers in this world that twist Scripture in order to support their argument. “Every Christian must be a theologian…So I tell my church what I don’t mean. This is my comfort in my affliction, 4 Benefits of Studying Systematic Theology Crossway Articles. and shall not be put to shame,” (Psalm 119:41-42, 46), “You see the infinite distance between his power and your weakness, between his holiness and your sinfulness, between his unchangeable nature and your fickleness. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. The most important tool we have in properly understanding and interpreting Scripture is to read the passage in context. As we grow to fear God more than we fear man we also grow to fear for man’s soul more and take every opportunity to share with everyone the Good New of Christ’s atoning work. The fact that there are and will continue to be false teachers within the professing church is an undeniable fact. A church that cares little for doctrine, and a church without people who know and love doctrine, is a church that will necessarily be blown and swayed by every wind and wave of doctrine.” (Challies). There will be many on Judgement Day who will have believed they had the right God all along. The stronger our theology grows, the stronger the unity within Christ’s Bride grows. There are many who teach false theology today within the professing church. God’s Word commands us to Study Theology (Sound Doctrine) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Check out the parable of the seeds: 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. Theology & Religious Studies is far from being outdated; it’s still very pertinent … Answer and Explanation: and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). 18 February 2015. “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. benefits of studying theology provides a comprehensive and comprehensive pathway for students to see progress after the end of each module. The idea of theological education (the study of God himself) can be daunting. There are people who do not understand why we should study God. There is also a practice called eisegesis. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’ (John 4:23–24)” (Wilson). Copyright © 2021 A Narrow-Minded Woman | Kalon by : Rara Theme | Powered by: WordPress. I take comfort, O Lord. “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings 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. 6 Great Reasons To Study Doctrine. 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. If our idea of God deviates from what He has described of Himself, we have created an idol. but in fact we know only a god of our imagination.” (Snyder, p. 32), Jesus says in Matthew 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. Studying theology matures us in the faith. Theology versus Religious Studies . What accord has Christ with Belial? In a sense, theology is the study of a religion from within that religion's traditions and perspectives, while religious studies take a more external perspective. “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. To serve him, the most honorable and delightful purpose to which we can devote our time and talents. Benefits and Blessings of Studying Theology. Studying theology helps us to know who and when to properly unite and divide. Click... 2. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 This is the great and first commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38, “Loving God with all of our minds certainly means more than theological study, but it certainly does not mean less than that.” (Wilson). in which you have made me hope. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study-theology/careers-in-theology We cannot rightly judge doctrinal fruit unless we know what good doctrinal fruit is. We didn’t realize how childish and worldly our previous idea of God was. If we do not study theology, we will not know where we are to unite and where we are to divide. Finally, studying theology aids us in evangelism. Your statutes have been my songs Studying theology teaches us how to love others completely. 1 April 2014. And again, the more you know of God, the warmer the heart behind your worship and the deeper the expression of your worship.” (Challies), I will praise you with an upright heart, We realize how small we really are and realize how impossible it is to fathom how big He really is. when I learn your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:7), “Remember your word to your servant, It’s a relevant area. {Are they mad at God because of a great tragedy or abuse? Error: There is no connected account for the user 4017433232 Feed will not update. 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.” (Ephesians 4:11-16). “Churches are bound together by the beliefs they share. To ascertain the character of God in its aspect toward us. Contrary to the way some idolaters of doubt would have you believe, the Christian faith is founded on facts. We are to preach the word, be ready, and reprove, rebuke, and exhort. The insolent utterly deride me, The better we understand who God is, the more pure and true our worship of the Creator will become. Or what fellowship has light with darkness? Every person is a theologian. 18 February 2015. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, There are a myriad of benefits, but I want to mention five main areas where the Christian profits from the study of theology. Yes, doctrinal truths are often presented with unfamiliar and complicated terminology. Being a studier of God doesn’t mean we are … 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. The more we understand theology the better we become as understanding what we can and cannot unite with. A solid understanding of the gospel and character of God allows us to rationally declare the truth [Acts 26:24-26]. 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. Studying theology helps us to know God more perfectly. Bob Hunter Post author August 26, 2013 at 7:02 pm. 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. Studying theology helps us to know God more perfectly. 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). When you know doctrine, you prepare yourself to live in ways that express love to him and to others.” (Challies), “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15), “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Without a proper understanding of who God is, it is impossible to properly understand life and our life experiences. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. We soon discover how absolutely wretched we are; how bad our sin really is. Divorcing your study of theology from the local church. Having a fuller, more correct theology leads to a fuller and more correct doxology. Hermeneutics is the science of proper interpretation. Studying theology puts our life into a correct perspective. Both will enhance one’s spiritual maturity. Studying theology helps … You cannot see God and be proud. A certain amount of knowledge is required for salvation. However, Scripture the only infallible, inerrant, completely sufficient source of Truth. Studying theology helps us know what and why we believe and how to defend those beliefs. “When you know doctrine, you are able to rebuke anyone who wanders from it, and you are responsible for doing so. We can identify many benefits of pursuing, developing, and maintaining sound doctrine as a result of studying theology: Theology is required for salvation. Theology is essentially knowledge of God. “Doctrine is meant to amaze you with the sheer power and magnitude of God. This list is derived from Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, general editors. Details: Intimacy and Maturity There is no better way to saturate one’s mind with Scripture than by sitting under expository preaching and studying systematic theology. He is reminding Timothy that the sanctification resulting in continual discipleship to Christ necessarily includes intense study of God’s Word.” (Wilson). For many students, a degree in theology is a step towards their calling to work in the church. and observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34), “Your hands have made and fashioned me; We all basically understand what is meant in the biblical warning that “knowledge puffs up” (1 Cor. In John 17, Jesus is praying for Christians. Does Romans 13:8 Teach It Is a Sin to Borrow Money? Studying theology matures our discernment and protects us from being deceived. Religious studies degrees often take a more historical or sociological approach to studying religion. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. “Knowing the right information about God is just one way we authenticate our Christianity. We must unify over true theology or we must divide. 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.’”. It bewilders you with your own insignificance before God, and yet your sheer significance in his plan of redemption. “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. “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, “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). Wilson, Jared. Most people don’t study theology at all in college—especially those who attend public universities and colleges. that your promise gives me life. “Our continued growth in the grace of God, our perseverance as saints, is vitally connected to our pursuit of the knowledge of God’s character and God’s works as revealed in God’s Word. First, the Christian who systematically studies the Word of God knows truth. The Perspective of Biblical Context. Both will enhance one’s spiritual maturity. “We ignore the global impact of religion, in my judgment, at our peril”-ex-U. 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 … 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. As Christians, God expects us to study His Word to know Him more fully. We must study theology to know what is good fruit and what is bad. I remember your name in the night, O Lord, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. “The more we read, study, meditate on, and prayerfully apply the word of God, the more we will find ourselves in awe of Him. Eight Responsibilities of Church Members to their Leaders, A Dad Talks with His Son about Masturbation. If our answer is based on how we feel about something or what we think, it may not align with what Scripture teaches. To defend the faith and guard against false teaching. Scottish pastor and theologian John Dick (1764-1833) gave the following reasons in his systematic theology. Ligonier. give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 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. I believe this should change. 8:1). This blessing has fallen to me, Instead, it is inextricably connected to assurance and conviction. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”(2 Timothy 4:1-5). I believe in what seminaries do—and, frankly, … Not only should Christians know what it is that … Web. Religious Studies is not particularly the most common subject choice amongst students applying for university, however, there are a powerhouse of benefits of doing so, if you have any remote interest in religion. … I love Christ because He first loved me. then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, It’s the secret to living the most joyful and satisfied life. Because we’re human (and sinners), we’re apt to find some biblical teachings hard to embrace. We can certainly cite many Benefits and Blessings of studying theology, but perhaps the best reason is because God commands it. Challies, Tim. Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? Studying theology will also drive us to be more correct in the way we worship. You cannot know God and be arrogant.” (Challies). Many theology students go into further study, teaching or careers in a wide variety of fields. Define Theology Theology is defined as “the systematic study of the nature of God and God's relationship with humanity and with the world. False theology is not of God and must not be associated with by those who claim to be the Bride of Christ. It also strengthens the bonds of those who are united under proper theology. “But the answer to formal scholasticism or dry intellectualism is not a neglect of theological study. Intimacy and Maturity There is no better way to saturate one’s mind with Scripture than by sitting under expository preaching and studying systematic theology. For example, how many times have you heard a sermon on David and Goliath only to be told that this passage is about fighting the “giants” in our lives? It moves you with the incredible mercy of God as expressed in sending his Son to die for you. Of course there will be certain minor variances in a church on lesser matters, but the greater the shared beliefs on the essentials, and the greater the emphasis on the essentials, the greater the degree of unity.” (Challies). The study of theology prepares you to explore abstract ideas from different perspectives, as well as communicate these ideas to others. What are the benefits of studying a Charles Sturt theology degree? It is the content of our faith, our belief system. and keep your law. Although other religions may be said to have theologies, this is a matter of controversy within, for instance, Judaism, which holds that God is unknowable.” (Theology… “If you do not truly know God, it is because you are enamored with your inflated views of yourself and refuse to humble yourself and seek Him.” (Snyder, p22), “Open my eyes, that I may behold It stands to reason that the more theological facts we feast on in the Word, the more assurance and conviction—and thus the more faith—we will cultivate.” (Wilson), “Paul tells his young protégé Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. When we study that attributes of God, scales on our eyes start to fall away. Thirty-seven U.S. states have laws limiting the spending of public funds on religious training. “To know God is to know love; to know God is to equip yourself to act in love. Grudem says yes and offers three benefits for studying systematic theology: It helps guard us against imposing our ideas on Scripture. To know this mighty Being, as far as he may be known, [which] is the noblest aim of the human understanding. 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. that I have kept your precepts.” (Psalm 119:49-56), “It is good for me that I was afflicted, It is how God has chosen to tell us about Himself. Worshiping God in the way we want to is not really worshiping God but rather worshiping our experience. While teaching at a Bible School here in the United States, I had the opportunity to talk to a discouraged student. When I think of your rules from of old, When we really study the true God of the Bible, we quickly realize that we are not actually the center of the universe. There are many great preachers, teachers, and books that are full of wonderful wisdom and are beneficial in helping us understand Scripture. A knowledge of theology can help us 'diagnose' unbelievers who have heard the gospel but are still resistant.
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