Saturday, May 28, 2016

Is Theology Relevant in the Church Today?



by Diane M. Hoffmann

Theology is absolutely relevant to the Christian church today. What is theology? According to various dictionaries and statements, theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief, religious beliefs and theory when systematically developed, it is the systematic and rational study of concepts of God and biblical truths, etc…

So, whether we know it or not, in the church, we are doing theology!  Yet many in the church speak as if theology is anathema (something accursed or loathed). No kidding. I know, I’ve had my share of receiving negative comments on the basis that I have a degree in theology.

In the church, we are to exhort and encourage one another, but when we have someone in our midst who has spent many years of hard studies to achieve a degree in bible studies or theology, the church is quick to give condescending references and innuendos that this is not necessary to serve God and give our Christian testimony.  Some even scoff at it and say, “I have no use for that”. Even any type of formal education is put down. I give true stories that I personally experienced in my book “24 Hot Potatoes in the Church Today” about this.

Theos in the word theology means “God”. So, right there how can any Christian say they have no use for theology? By this, they often only give themselves away for being ignorant of the Word of God. These people have been influenced by the lack of encouragement from the church or they have listened to criticisms from secular philosophers who are, of course, threatened by counterpart theological explanations. Here too, I cover this area a great deal in the book.

I always say that theology is like philosophy but with God in it.  Philosophers look for life and truth, but they keep God out of their search and study.  But life and truth comes from God (Yahweh) who is the Creator and the sustainer of the universe!

Deuteronomy 4:35 says that Yahweh is God; there is no other besides Him.

Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I Am that I Am: and he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, I Am has sent me unto you.”

We need to encourage Christians in the church to, 

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,   But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:15-16) (King James Version).

That’s theology and it is most relevant in the church today. /dmh

Blessings,

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Diane M. Hoffmann, B.Th., M.Th., Ph.D./Th.

Author of "24 Hot Potatoes in the Church Today"
Just released by Xulon Press, a div. of Salem Media.
To watch the Video Trailer:
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YLZYLGNX

web site: http://24hotpotatoes.blogspot.ca/


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