The old saying goes, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” However, there is something more sinister that happens as well. In recent years, there has been an unprecedented attack on historical fact, resulting in students learning “history” that, at best, is skewed or, at worst, is completely fictitious.
In this case, the adage could say, “Those who ignore history are doomed to revise it.” Consider the Old Testament story of Esther as told in Persia today.
I am conversing with a person via email right now who has a bad case (maybe even a fatal case) of what I call “Cut-and-Paste Theology.”
In a previous post, I gave two reasons for why studying biblical theology is necessary: because you learn what God says about himself, and because it is God’s will for every Christian.
Let me give you a third one: a biblical theology saves you from a cut-and-paste theology.
There are a lot of remarks people make that can discourage or frustrate me.
“We’re leaving the church.”
“I got a detention.”
“The doctor just called, and it’s not good.”
One that really gets me is when a Christian says: “Yeah, well, I’m just not a theologian. You study the theology. I just want a relationship with God.”
Here’s the truth: If you are alive, you are a theologian; that is, you have beliefs about God. Now, your theology may not be specialized (Systematic, Reformed, Historical, etc.). Your theology might even be “God doesn’t exist.” But you are a theologian, and that means that theology is important for you and it should be important to you.
Of the dozens of blogs that I read regularly, there only a few that I actually spend time digesting. Most of the others are quick reads or the title shows I don’t need or want to read it at all.
Bill Mounce has one of those blogs that is worth reading. Although many of his posts have to do with the Greek New Testament (his Basics of Biblical Greek is one of the most widely used teaching tools right now), he has a lot of good thoughts about other things as well.
A couple of days ago, Mounce shared an essay he wrote in For the Fame of God’s Name, a book in honor of John Piper’s long, faithful ministry. As part of his essay, Mounce tackles the argument that a “pastor” (who spends more time with his people) loves his church more than a “preacher” (who spends more time in his study). Continue Reading…
[Note: This post contains thoughts on government which could be mistaken as political. They're not.]
I have been thinking a lot about Daniel 2:21 and Romans 13:1, especially in light of certain world events that have happened this year.
“He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others.” Daniel 2:21
“There is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1
