Read your Bible! …but reject theology?

Someone said in a thread somewhere on here that we should be about the Bible… not theology.

Can someone explain to me what that means? I find it confusing because theology simply means “the study of God”. When we read our Bibles and “study to show ourselves approved” we are practicing theology. This entire forum is all about the study of God... theology.

We have all these catch phrases and “bumper sticker” slogans in the church today, and maybe they sound cool… but I wonder if Christians bother to slow down and pay attention to what they are saying.

Anyway… anyone have any thoughts on how we can be about the Bible, and not theology?

Krispy

Brother,

I believe the emphasis on the word "Doctrine" in the New Testament will shed light on this question you are asking. When I study this word it simply means "Teaching" and when you follow the context of the word throughout the NT you find that it speaks of almost in every case teaching about Morality, a way of living in Christ.

The Chinese underground believers say: "We do not listen to sermons, we obey them." Though there are fundamental things to believe and understand about God's character and about the death of Christ. In the end what matters the most is our appropriation of it and our response.

When we read the bible simply to "study God" we miss the point of Scriptures. Jesus Christ said this to the pharisees, because the Scriptures speak of Christ who if we come to and "live in" we will have eternal life. That is the point not to study about God.

Church meetings are a place to meet with God as the body of Christ and not just to learn analytical "biblical" facts about God.

Mark 1:27
Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

John 7:16
Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

John 7:17
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 5:28
saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

Romans 6:17
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Romans 16:17
[ Avoid Divisive Persons ] Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Ephesians 4:14
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Colossians 2:22
which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

1 Timothy 1:3
[ No Other Doctrine ] As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:10
for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

1 Timothy 4:6
[ A Good Servant of Jesus Christ ] If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 5:17
[ Honor the Elders ] Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 6:1
[ Honor Masters ] Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.

1 Timothy 6:3
[ Error and Greed ] If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

2 Timothy 3:10
[ The Man of God and the Word of God ] But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

Titus 1:9
holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 2:1
[ Qualities of a Sound Church ] But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

Titus 2:10
not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Hebrews 6:2
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2 John 1:9
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:15
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Revelation 2:24
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.

So in conclusion to this post I would say that the word "doctrine" in these passages speaks of "teaching" and of teaching what? Of teaching practices not a theology about God, though that can be inferred in some of the passages.

In the end false teachings and doctrine was a teaching that had people practice a wrong thing mainly.

I am not saying it is not important to teach about God's character and to have a right view of this, but to have no response ever to who God is was foreign to the early church fathers and the apostles.

So yes, read the bible to obey and do not read the bible only to make theology in our minds. James 1:22.

That’s a fantastic answer, brother… and I agree with every word you say. My observation here on this forum, however, is that many view those who desire to study theology, discuss theology, etc are only doing so on a cerebral level and not on a heart felt or obedience level. I don’t think that is true at all.

I think it is wrong to look down our noses at anyone who has been gifted to understand and teach the deeper things of God, but yet it happens often here. In fact, in the church today I have seen an abandonment of knowing and acting upon sound doctrinal teaching, and the results are what we see in the churches of today. I remember a few months ago I brought up a particular teacher who happens to be of the Reformed side of things… and people said all manner of things about him, while admitting that they had never heard of him before. Why? Because a) he is a bit cerebral (president of a Bible college), and b) he is Reformed.

I sense a class warfare in a sense. Frankly though, even tho most here are more serious about their faith and some have an amazing grasp of the Bible here… in the general public Christians no NOTHING of the Word of God compared to even 50 years ago. And I think this breads the hatred of theology and yes… doctrine.

Do not forget that Paul exhorted Timothy to hold to and teach sound doctrine.

Krispy

Theology at one time certainly meant the study of God, but the word has gone through some evolutionary stages and it has come to mean something else. I myself have adopted the new meaning and I don't like the word theology. Theology to me means teachings or doctrines that restrict the Spirit of God to the natural understanding. When I hear of a theological debate, I simply think that men who are educated to the hilt are trying to make sense of the Spirit of God though through their natural understanding.

At one time a Christian was referred to as being "Religious", that too has evolved to mean something bad. Yet that is how men were defined who touched God and were living for Him. They used to say, "I found religion".

I am going to read the second poster to see what they had to say in response to your first post.

I think it is wrong to look down our noses at anyone who has been gifted to understand and teach the deeper things of God, but yet it happens often here. In fact, in the church today I have seen an abandonment of knowing and acting upon sound doctrinal teaching, and the results are what we see in the churches of today.

Brother,

Perhaps in reading my post you read it inferring that doctrine means a systematic theology of a subject which it "did not" to the apostles. Sound doctrine in the New Testament in the content of the passage means "a way of living" and moral commands. When Christ comes into a person it changes "who he is" and thereby the "way he lives."

As you stated those who look into the "deeper things" I feel that is not a good way to classify those who are theological in their thinking for the in the New Testament Paul speaks of a "wisdom" that is not of this world and that is spiritual. This is not the wisdom that those who are modern theologians who use their minds only to interpret scriptures.

All those who wrote the Bible did not write it merely out of their understanding but out of a an experience with God and were used of God in this way as He flowed through their personality. To me it is a mistake to depend on thinking so much as praying to interpret the Bible, for the latter will produce obedience and change in the life while the former pride and a puffed up mind only.

"are trying to make sense of the Spirit of God though through their natural understanding."

I feel that quote is accurate and sadly speaks of many who are trying to catch up to God as He uses the foolish, weak, ignorant, ignoble vessels in the world to accomplish His great means. He uses Paul the Apostles (intellectuals) only when they follow submit their minds and wills to Him.

May we go beyond the sacred page and letter and touch the Divine. This was the emphasis of the Quaker (friends movement) back in the 1600's with reformed ecclesiastical forms that were quenching the Spirit of God and following the ways of Rome itself though speaking on some liberated truths such as Justification by Faith of which we are all thankful for.

John Bunyon said pray and read and read and pray. For a little from God is better than a whole lit from men.

Bearmaster.

decided to delete my post, not sure how to do that:(

It's working for the persecuted church in Iran, China, Eritrea, etc. They are reading their Bibles but rejecting theology. Only in America would a thread like this be opened.

Bearmaster.

it is strange to say read the bible but regect theoligy

thats like saying read the bible ,but i reject the idea of understanding it 

john weasly was one of the greastest theologens a long side johnnathen edwards ,,,,both new god personaly and there theoligy has influnced most of the evengelicals that lived after them even til this day 

pentacostals ,,holiness .reformed .carsamatic.

and there are many people whose theoligy is verry similar 
even tho that have never read these mens writtings 

the doctrine of the trinity ,the deity of christ 

these doctrines can not be explained or understood with out theology brother Gary

It does seem a strange thing to say that one can read the bible and at the same time reject theology. Yet if this means read the bible, know the truth and be unaware of theology then it may not be as strange as it sounds. Personally I have never held theological study as such in high regard. This is because my experience of knowing God has been largely rather childish and dare I say ignorant of theology. My son in law trained as a pastor at the AOG Mattersey Hall Bible College. He tells me that the only living truth he heard in the whole three years was on the very last day when a visiting missionary spoke and shared in the spirit. I don’t suppose that most of what he heard before that was exactly heretical, but he made a distinction between living truth and knowledge. I know that for most of his degree course he struggled with this problem of knowledge without “life”.

Since coming on SI the idea of theological doctrines as such has come to my attention. Historically I never read any of them per se, although I agree that a true knowledge of Christ will correspond to some theological perspectives and in that be a blessing to read. It is a problem however, because heresy is real and cannot be simply ignored as though somehow truth will establish itself. I truly wonder what to make of the profound lack of discernment that allows all teachings and ideas to be expressed as though such a thing would have no consequence, but this is the theological sister of truth; its name is intellectual vanity. Largely it is the simple and sincere brethren who are most hurt by falsehood. Some say that Christ will keep them, neglecting to see that many saints have for no good reason been harmed by false doctrines and theologies. Personally I am against anyone who seeks to profit personally and representatively from the saints. I do believe that much of what is called Theology is simply profiting by reason of a separation of truth into incomprehensible language rather in the way lawyers and accountants separate their practices and use of language from common speech to make profit.

it is strange to say read the bible but regect theoligy

thats like saying read the bible ,but i reject the idea of understanding it

john weasly was one of the greastest theologens a long side johnnathen edwards ,,,,both new god personaly and there theoligy has influnced most of the evengelicals that lived after them even til this day

pentacostals ,,holiness .reformed .carsamatic.

and there are many people whose theoligy is verry similar
even tho that have never read these mens writtings

the doctrine of the trinity ,the deity of christ

these doctrines can not be explained or understood with out theoligy

Brethren,

I do feel this thread is constructive because as the other brother stated in underground churches around the world the emphasis is on simply reading, believing the Bible and not writing books about it with man-made terms to understand it. I am not against thinking or understanding in "anyway" but I am against EMPHASIZING theology with man-made terms over simply reading the Bible, believing it and obeying (experiencing it).

All the of the denominations listed were formed not from theology but experiencing God and His Scriptures and then afterwards men made theology terms to explain what was happening. We do not want merely the Word of God but also the God of the Word.

Oh brethren may we come to Christ Himself to have that life abundant for this is why the Scriptures are there.