|
BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. W. Robert Cook, Th.D
Sing to the Lord
a joyful song,
Lift up your hearts, your voices raise;
To us His gracious gifts belong,
To Him our songs of love and praise.
John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811 1875)
The Aim of
Theological Study
The aim of theological study is to fit the parts of Bible knowledge
together coherently into a systematic, orderly, comprehensive whole. This
is in order that from an orthodox stance in doctrine may grow a fruitful
Christian life. Orthodoxy is the only sound basis for orthopraxy. It is
not, however, the only necessity. One must also walk in God's presence with
a pure heart and a purpose to do his will (see Psalm 24:3 4; John 7:17 18).
The
Possibility of Theological Study
Any approach to theological study in a biblical framework is built on
certain assumptions which are eternal verities: the existence of the God of
reality; the fact that God has revealed himself to mankind both personally
and propositionally; that human beings, created in the image of God, are
capable of appropriating and apprehending this divine truth.
These three assumptions, although simply stated, enunciate profound truth.
Each will be developed at greater length at the appropriate point in the
development of this treatise. Nonetheless, it is well to give brief
consideration to the implications of rejecting these assumptions. If there
is no self-existent God, that is if the only god(s) exists in man's
imagination, we have the possibility of only self-centered humanism and
demonism but not theology.
If God does not exist by his own will, revelation is nothing more than
human discovery and therefore finite. Man can rise no higher than his own
imagination, as a consequence, and all truth is relative--without finality.
If God has not spoken to reveal himself because he does not exist there is
likewise nothing in man that answers to God (no imago dei). He only
answers to himself and thus he becomes his own hope of salvation which is
no hope at all.
The
Necessity of Theological Study
The need for theological study is seen in several ways. We have an urge
within us to systematize knowledge with a view to a better understanding of
God and his relations to his creatures. The doctrines of the Bible are the
building material of the Christian faith. Thereby is provided an absolute
and supernaturally based standard to be raised against error and on behalf
of truth and good. And, as was already suggested, orthodoxy is prerequisite
to orthopraxy.
Therefore, if mankind does not give orderly study to theology it betrays
itself and God by denying one dimension of the imago dei; it
undermines the possibility of God honoring belief and behavior by leaving
biblical knowledge in disarray; and, it weakens the cause of truth and
goodness while fostering error and evil.
|
Copyright © 2007 by
AncientPath Network
and the authors. All rights reserved. |
051707P
