Good Theology is Essential
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Alexander Woollcott: In matters of speech, it's not elegance that interests me but exactness. Precision. Surgical precision. Let me give an illustration--in the pattern of the old story about Noah Webster, the man who wrote the dictionary. Of him it used to be told that his wife once caught him in the pantry in the act of kissing the cook. "Why, Mr. Webster," she said, "I'm surprised." "No, my dear," he replied. "I'm surprised you're amazed."
Christians, especially Christian teachers and preachers, need good theology. We need to “rightly divide the word of truth.” Even if someone complains “you’re splitting hairs” then still split them correctly if it is a matter of the Bible. Someone else might suggest “you can make the Bible say anything you want it to say” - ok, make it say what the original author meant. Someone else might assert - “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere about it” - I’m sorry but that’s just wrong, sincerely wrong.
Theology is the study of God. Unfortunately, people often settle for “theologyology” - the study of the study of God, or the study of others who have studied God, maybe. Our creator should be studied. God gave us a book. It is a book inspired by the Holy Spirit like no other. God is in agreement with it - it’s God’s letter to us. How often do we get a letter from someone and toss it in the trash or quickly delete it? Only when we think it’s junk. Let’s not look at God’s word like it’s junk. Let’s study it to show ourselves approved.
This May, I thank God for mothers and everyone who seeks to help children learn about God. I celebrate our Bible based focus at Ayersville church. I celebrate the wonderful development of LifeWise in our community. I celebrate the outreach of the Gideons and Wycliffe and other missions that get the Bible into the hands of people. I realize that the Scriptures can be difficult to interpret, and may even sound contradictory at times. But rather than shy away, let’s thank God for the truth he reveals and be hard working students of the message that we’ve been given to help us. Paul expresses its value in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works."
In Christ’s Love
Pastor Mo
