Wayfarer said:
What does theological training matter?...
I am not impliedly decrying theological training: it is important, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.
In some churches today theology is thought to be purely academic. Who needs it? I’ve heard people say, “Don’t give me doctrine, just give me Jesus.” Well, apparently some people don’t realize what theology is. Good sound Biblical theology simply answers questions like, “What is God like? Are people basically good or bad? As Robin mentioned children in the days of the Bible were trained in the law of God. The law gives us not only a moral standard but tells us a lot about the character of God. Theology is the study of God and His relationship with His people.
The operating assumptions for doing Biblical theology are therefore that the main theological lines of Scripture's story are discernable, and that we are called by God to learn, teach, and apply them in our churches. These assumptions are so essential to the fabric of Christianity that, if we refuse to grant them, we call into question the functional validity of God's self-revelation, and we replace the authority of God's Word with our own finite and fallen reason.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, he mentioned the importance of sound doctrine. By "sound," Paul simply means reliable, accurate, faithful. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:9)
Today we need sound doctrine more than ever since many churches today have moved away from it.
Wes
