Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

The Good News/The Bad News

the umc itself says they did ,and also I used them to get what he said from his books,do keep in mind there weren't a bazillion Arminism churches in America then.
the UMC IS liberal the conference board .i was raised UMC there to control /programmed for my taste . i would almost dare wager that half the ministers are not called of God
 

odd ,he wrote a commentary and its used by some here .

jasonc,

Writing a commentary does not make one a theologian. Much of MacArthur's commentary material seems to be based on his expository preaching.

John MacArthur has written a one-volume, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. I used to have his entire NT commentary set on each book of the NT. It's a 33-volume set. I've given the set away because it was too expository in nature and didn't provide the exegetical studies I wanted.

Let me add: He's an outstanding expositor of Scripture. I wish there were more around me here in Brisbane but he was too Calvinistic for me. The best exegetical commentary set I have in my library is by the evangelical Lutheran, R C H Lenski, written in the 1940s. You have to be able to read Greek and know its grammar to gain the most benefit from Lenski. That won't be a normal cup of tea for most evangelicals. Lenski is my favourite NT commentary set. Otherwise, I choose individual books of the Bible by exegetes.

The New Testament Commentary Set, 12 Volumes by William Hendriksen and Simon Kistemaker contains excellent exegetical material and I have the set. However, I have to filter the material through my non-Calvinistic worldview. I do accept the T and P of TULIP.

Oz
 
I read the article. No where does it say MacArthur is not a theologian. The article does not address the matter directly. It talks about him being a pastor. There is not reason one cannot be both. The definition of theologian: A theologian is someone who studies the nature of God, religion, and religious beliefs. No where in the article does it say MacArthur does not study the nature of God, or religion or religious beliefs.

Wikipedia lists MacArthur as a theologian: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_theologians


That being said, this is a trivial matter.

In that article by MacArthur he was explaining his ministry gift of being a pastor. He was not addressing the topic of his being or not being a theologian.

My estimate is that I wouldn't turn to Wikipedia for a list of Christian theologians.
 
jasonc,

Writing a commentary does not make one a theologian. Much of MacArthur's commentary material seems to be based on his expository preaching.

John MacArthur has written a one-volume, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. I used to have his entire NT commentary set on each book of the NT. It's a 33-volume set. I've given the set away because it was too expository in nature and didn't provide the exegetical studies I wanted.

Let me add: He's an outstanding expositor of Scripture. I wish there were more around me here in Brisbane but he was too Calvinistic for me. The best exegetical commentary set I have in my library is by the evangelical Lutheran, R C H Lenski, written in the 1940s. You have to be able to read Greek and know its grammar to gain the most benefit from Lenski. That won't be a normal cup of tea for most evangelicals. Lenski is my favourite NT commentary set. Otherwise, I choose individual books of the Bible by exegetes.

The New Testament Commentary Set, 12 Volumes by William Hendriksen and Simon Kistemaker contains excellent exegetical material and I have the set. However, I have to filter the material through my non-Calvinistic worldview. I do accept the T and P of TULIP.

Oz
I,guess,

I'm not able to debate or challenge your level but the word theologian means one who studies the bible .

you just posted a verse about berean Jews,,jews unless you are a rabbi then who went to yeshiva did my study the books after the torah much like the,so how did those bereans.know where to look,they opened the tanakh and followed ,they studied the bible and noticed Paul was right.

my pastor can take the Hebrew I have sent to him from,my family ,respond on modern Hebrew and or translate it ,Greek he is equal to do ,I would hardly say he isn't a theologian .he does it any teaching.

in,short,there are mechanics ,and there are master mechanics ,a mechanic goes to,the master ones for hard to solve problems ,both fix cars.

that's my point
 
i like Adam Clarke he is fairly historical they have comments just like we do . i also like Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown there are several that are good. you just have to be able to find the good and bad. as a preacher man once said its like eating chicken eat te meat throw the bones away
Are the above persons reformed?
 
I,guess,

I'm not able to debate or challenge your level but the word theologian means one who studies the bible .

you just posted a verse about berean Jews,,jews unless you are a rabbi then who went to yeshiva did my study the books after the torah much like the,so how did those bereans.know where to look,they opened the tanakh and followed ,they studied the bible and noticed Paul was right.

my pastor can take the Hebrew I have sent to him from,my family ,respond on modern Hebrew and or translate it ,Greek he is equal to do ,I would hardly say he isn't a theologian .he does it any teaching.

in,short,there are mechanics ,and there are master mechanics ,a mechanic goes to,the master ones for hard to solve problems ,both fix cars.

that's my point

Jason,

Literally - based on the Greek - "theologian" = theos (God) + logos (word or message). So a theologian is one who studies and presents the message about God.

Theology literally means 'thinking about God'. In practice it usually means studying the sources of Christian belief like the Bible and the Creeds, and exploring the meaning of Christianity for today. In universities and colleges, a course in 'Theology' means a course in Christianity, while a course labelled 'Religious Studies' usually means a course on world religions. One classic definition of theology was given by St Anselm. He called it 'faith seeking understanding' and for many this is the true function of Christian theology (What is theology? Paul Badham)

So, a theologian is one who engages in the study of theology.

Oz
 
Jason,

Literally - based on the Greek - "theologian" = theos (God) + logos (word or message). So a theologian is one who studies and presents the message about God.



So, a theologian is one who engages in the study of theology.

Oz
I think that the term theologian has come to mean one that studies God's word as his life's
Work.

Most will have a PhD.

I'd like to say that I consider you to be one, and a couple of others on this forum.

One that "studies" the bible more than others, just needs to know more.

There are plenty of this type around.
 
no mcgee is straight across hew will tell you that nobody fully understands election and predestination. some times you have go past the labels to get the meat
OK!
I like honesty.
I do believe, however, that God uses the bible to
Reveal Himself to us,,,,including his nature.
 
Jason,

Literally - based on the Greek - "theologian" = theos (God) + logos (word or message). So a theologian is one who studies and presents the message about God.



So, a theologian is one who engages in the study of theology.

Oz
its a hair,splitting you,did .

a pastor must be able verify what he is taught ,they do also listen to others and then share .

an pastor who isn't in,the office in my church but ddoes teach ,was taught by sproul.

he teaches the disciple ship program with apologetics and also has taught classes when the pastor can't .

one would assume that pastor actually knows what to use,the green and hebrew and .can defend againsr heresies,

I don't need you ,to debunk the Jehovah's witness.I studied them first hand as I was one and know why using simple God given guidance on why they are wrong ,I didnt pray and seek my pastor ,I remember the,teachings they have and read their verses in the kjv.

one can't argue a non trinitarian,soul sleeper type into changing his mind ,I wanted to know so I asked God and God told me ,and I read revelation myself .

not all pastors know it all,they have resources and do have to understand the things they study .
 
nor am I anti commentary in nature or theologian ,just suggest one if able learn as much as you can .not all are called .

gifts i get ,I hate photographing people and now I an asked to be the church photographer ,in church events I can't enjoy the fellowship as I must focus on the subject ,I spent time doing that xma s eve .I now must buy a portrait lens and learn .its hard to hide and not ruin the action in church with my flash
 
i do also i will use a commentary to see what someone else has to say. i know how to discern truth from fiction
I don't know why but I try not to read commentaries. I have many bibles, including some different Italian ones, and I use them. Very rarely will I use commentary.

I"d rather use OzSpen's web page or ask someone I trust on this forum.
 
I don't know why but I try not to read commentaries. I have many bibles, including some different Italian ones, and I use them. Very rarely will I use commentary.

I"d rather use OzSpen's web page or ask someone I trust on this forum.
and I have local leaders I go to for that reason .

If I'm under a pastor and he is accountable for my learning ,should my I ask him over anyone here?I have but two miles of seperation from him .a phone call or visit is easy.he has called me to do things for the church .
 
Back
Top