Theology isn't as important as....

[WIP]

There is a danger in oversimplifying the Christian message. "Just love one another". For one thing love means more than just being kind.
Also a danger in saying that a thorough understanding of all Bible verses, will somehow make you closer to Jesus and God. God doesn't favour the smartest Bible swat. Being able to quote several verses is no guarantee of salvation .
But I am humble enough (just), to admit I could benefit from more Bible study. Letters of Paul especially....NT other than Gospels...

Satan could quote the entire Bible to you word for word in the original language, yet, He is not saved.

 

[humble soul]

Satan could quote the entire Bible to you word for word in the original language, yet, He is not saved.

reminds me of some Christians I've met....?

 

[WIP]

You won't learn more about the Person without doctrine.

Again, you want to make doctrine and knowledge of God and Christ out to be as though they are opposites. They are not.

Quantrill

Which doctrine? There are thousands of Christian denominations out there, each with its own unique doctrine.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

"Save me, God!"

Salvation is a matter of theology, doctrine.

And not just any man made theology/doctrine but God's.

 

[Link1983]

There is a danger in oversimplifying the Christian message. "Just love one another". For one thing love means more than just being kind.
Also a danger in saying that a thorough understanding of all Bible verses, will somehow make you closer to Jesus and God. God doesn't favour the smartest Bible swat. Being able to quote several verses is no guarantee of salvation .
But I am humble enough (just), to admit I could benefit from more Bible study. Letters of Paul especially....NT other than Gospels...

I personally think that God's word is dual or maybe paradox in some scenes. Bu not contradictory. Only that it is very simple but also at the same time deep.
And way beyond our small nutty brains!
Haha.

 

[Link1983]

Which doctrine? There are thousands of Christian denominations out there, each with its own unique doctrine.

True! And only seems to me to divide us.
Is doctrine biblical?
Like old earth and new earth theory.

 

[Link1983]

Satan could quote the entire Bible to you word for word in the original language, yet, He is not saved.

Yes. Important point you make!


For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 AMP

1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power. | Amplified Bible (AMP) | Download The Bible App Now

For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.

bible.com

 

[Truthfrees]

Do you ever get to that point when you want to lay aside all the theology and "deeper truths" and mysteries of God and just cry out to Him and say, "Save me, God!"

That's where I'm at today. Theology is great, but I could name some things that are a lot more important: honesty, faith and hope inside the process of prayer. Those are three things I see that are crucial to communing with God during prayer. Who cares if I am a messy with my theology. You can be a theological expert and not know how to communicate your heart to God.

Just thought I'd share that with you all.

amen - found the same thing - God wants our hearts as per His continuous instruction to turn our hearts toward Him-

theology is man's fallible understanding of scripture - obviously by the myriads of contradictory theologies duking it out today

 

[humble soul]

Salvation is a matter of theology, doctrine.

And not just any man made theology/doctrine but God's.

This "man made" label is often used by Christians in an accusatory tone. I find it unconvincing as so many interpretations of the Bible exist anyway. You could say all denominations created after Martin Luther are man made. He rebelled, not that I think it necessarily bad, as he challenged people to think for themselves. The Church was out of control at the time. It needed a serious wake up call. And still does many would say.
The Bible doesn't interpret itself. The truth is not there in black and white, plain to see. There are so many layers of meaning. Translations vary. Emphases vary. This sounds all man made to me.

 

[Quantrill]

God is angry if we don't study the Bible? He must be carrying a lot of anger then, considering all the people who don't.

I think there is a different picture of God being displeased, and being angry. Why would you use 'angry' when I said displeased?

Quantrill

 

[Tradidi]

Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known by him. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)

And you shall know the truth: and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

So, "knowledge puffeth up", but we must "know" the truth because "the truth" shall set you free. Is this a contradiction?

 

[Quantrill]

I can understand how one can study doctrine for a long time and not be a believer. Some of the more solid atheists have studied the Scriptures extensively.

OK. So you're saying you studied the Scripture for 30 years and was not a believer. Were you a 'solid atheist' then?

Yes, I know of atheist forums where they go to school to learn the Bible so as to misrepresent the Bible. Was that you?

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

Which doctrine? There are thousands of Christian denominations out there, each with its own unique doctrine.

What do you mean 'which doctrine'. You're the one that generalized 'theology'. Which theology then?

Do you study the Bible to learn your theology and doctrine?

Quantrill

 

[humble soul]

knowledge of truth can make us arrogant. To me it proves that "knowledge" is not enough. We need the gospel in our gut, in our spirit, in our soul.
so "study" is a good initial step. If we only stay at that level, our faith is bound to be superficial at best.

 

[Tradidi]

This "man made" label is often used by Christians in an accusatory tone. I find it unconvincing as so many interpretations of the Bible exist anyway. You could say all denominations created after Martin Luther are man made. He rebelled, not that I think it necessarily bad, as he challenged people to think for themselves. The Church was out of control at the time. It needed a serious wake up call. And still does many would say.
The Bible doesn't interpret itself. The truth is not there in black and white, plain to see. There are so many layers of meaning. Translations vary. Emphases vary. This sounds all man made to me.

This post contains a lot of truth that the bible-thumping theologians have completely missed or ignored. It reminds me of St. Matthew's words:

At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. (Matthew 11:25)

 

[Quantrill]

knowledge of truth can make us arrogant. To me it proves that "knowledge" is not enough. We need the gospel in our gut, in our spirit, in our soul.
so "study" is a good initial step. If we only stay at that level, our faith is bound to be superficial at best.

Knowledge alone is not enough. But, God will supply the experience to go along with that knowledge forcing you to exercise your faith and keep you 'humble' and keep you growing.

Lack of knowledge is not the answer. Ignorance of Scripture is not the answer. Having no doctrine is not the answer. If you choose to remain ignorant of Scripture your spirituality will be superficial.

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

This post contains a lot of truth that the bible-thumping theologians have completely missed or ignored. It reminds me of St. Matthew's words:

At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. (Matthew 11:25)

'Bible thumping theologians'. Interesting term. I have been labeled that only by unbelievers and those that hate Christ and the Bible. Interesting.

You quote from the Bible. Are you a 'bible thumper'?

Quantrill

 

[Tradidi]

'Bible thumping theologians'. Interesting term. I have been labeled that only by unbelievers and those that hate Christ and the Bible. Interesting.

You quote from the Bible. Are you a 'bible thumper'?

Quantrill

Bible-thumper: an aggressively zealous advocate of Christian fundamentalism

I'm certainly not a fundamentalist, I'm doing my best not to be aggressive, although I am zealous of my Faith.

 

[Quantrill]

Bible-thumper: an aggressively zealous advocate of Christian fundamentalism

I'm certainly not a fundamentalist, I'm doing my best not to be aggressive, although I am zealous of my Faith.

How can you be zealous and not agressive? Why do you consider 'fundamentalist's' as Bible thumpers and not you? Seems you're the one showing agression here. Don't misunderstand, I don't mind your aggression. I just mind the double standard you impose.

Quantrill

 

[Tradidi]

How can you be zealous and not agressive? Why do you consider 'fundamentalist's' as Bible thumpers and not you? Seems you're the one showing agression here. Don't misunderstand, I don't mind your aggression. I just mind the double standard you impose.

Quantrill

Yes, you can be zealous without being aggressive.

zeal: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something

aggression: overt or covert, often harmful, social interaction with the intention of inflicting damage or other unpleasantness upon another individual.