Someone said this to me a few weeks back:
First, and I’m not being funny, make sure that you’re always reading the New Testament. And, instead of reading primarily for theology or soteriology, ask what the writers are saying about the church. Many times the theology or soteriology is assumed, but the writers say a lot specifically about how to live relationally with others as a result of the gospel
It only push me further out of the circles of those I agree with theologically. Let me explain. Today we are encouraged to read, but those who encourage us encourage us to read what they like. For example someone once gave me a quote by Spurgeon and said “any men who won’t read another men’s work is a fool”. I actually like that quote. The only problem is decoded it says this “only read the works of men that my prized theologians enjoy”. So if Piper reads it then it must be good, and if Carson speaks against it then it must be bad. You see we become carbon copies of our prized theologians (nothing against either of the two men just popular theologians).
Not to mention I see people fighting to get their books prefaced by certain theologians it is like a place of arrival. No I am not attempting to be a Maverick or some isolated Christian, what I want to say is that God has spread His truth through many individuals and I want to be able to dine with each of them because each of them are my brothers and sisters, I may like some more than others but they are still my brothers and sisters.
Today though there are invincible theologians and whoever gets in good is in good and whoever makes the naughty lists well they are ostracized and whatever they say or do is either labeled bad or ignored though the Spirit may be speaking through them equally. I guess in my struggle for theological truth I have ignored what is clearly written. Because of theological alignments I have said mean things to the family of God and have not given an equal ear because my favorite theologian didn’t accept them.
We see that huge in the Emerging movement. Since a theologian disagrees pretty much all of what they have to say is “post-modern”. Which is the new “heretic”. Not to mention we feel it is our job to play the role of the Holy Spirit in peoples live and if the person questions these gentleman they are “trying to do something new” and one of the favorite quotes is “ignoring 2000 years of Church History”. These are the same individuals who applaud Calvin and Luther for their work. Did God stop working at the Reformation? Was the Reformation the end point of God’s dealing with His people? If not why are we not open to critique and refocusing on the scriptures? Oh, that’s right because Sola Scriptura (the Reformation way) is the final authority of truth.
It is funny that Doctrine was developed 1500 years later. Though many will say “no it was always there just articulated then”. Okay I am off my soapbox, I am just saying we need to be careful that’s all. I think it is good to read the works of our great theologians today, but it is better for you to study the scriptures and pray for clarity. It seems that we have given up on what made Luther challenge the papacy. I have no desire for people to follow me or my leanings, I do however ask that ALL BELIEVERS have an equal voice and that we abstain from name calling with people who disagree with us. Just because someone has not read the latest book recommend by your favorite theologian and would rather read their bible doesn’t make them any less theologically astute.
One of the unfortunate pitfalls in many theological/seminary education is that you read what people wrote about the Bible, and not the Word itself. As a consequence, many what so called “seminary trained” individuals are biblically illiterate but not theologically or doctrinally illeterate. That has been a personal experience in my seminary training. It’s very unfortunate my brother.
If that is happening in our most conservative /evangelical seminaries, how much more in what’s so called “liberal” schools. So God help us to read the Bible for its beauty, majesty, and integrity. I rather have the mind of Christ!
I wonder often, is it becoming to much man worship when we read all the books of our favorite theologians and bible expositors? I am not saying it is wrong, but have we begun to push more of our favorites, Calvin, Spurgeon, MacArthur and not the Lord Jesus Christ and what the scriptures say is His Gospel.
I am loving the new church I am attending, but have I noticed some say, “I came here because of….MacArthur style of teaching. I was reading his book and wanted to be in a place that teaches like him…..” I think, I came just to fellowship with believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.” I see everybody has got his study bible (I got it too), all his books, as if MacArthur is the Messiah and not Christ. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an excellent expository teacher. But the Most High God is the Best. Just look at what He teaches us about His new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Isn’t that beautiful to be taught of the Lord?
I am just feeling like too much focus is on man and his works It is taking our focus off of the One Who died for our sins, the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s just like I was strong on going to a place that does expository teaching like my hereos (lol). That’s sound doctrine right? Bbut isn’t it sound for my brother who attends the small house church where they share in the learning of scriptures pointing to Jesus Christ? Or do they need to get some Spurgeon books, or better yet a top notch reformed writer’s book to really equip their church? Isn’t the bible they study and share, breaking bread together enough? Just some thoughts. God bless Lionel
Karsten Miller
CJ,
Whats going on brother. I still owe you breakfast and we get over the baby hump you pick I pay brother. I will say (I was going to write something) is that I don’t believe the intent is malicious or that there is some theological conspiracy trying to keep people down. But on the other hand we holy cheerleaders who stand on the side and shake our pom poms in order to get the crowd excited about our favorite theologian.
I am not against those who have paved a way before us. I enjoy the readings of Edwards, Owens, Piper, Watson, Packer, Carson and the like, but when I see Christians taking pictures with books and I see even on a lot of the pastors blogs an higher emphasis on reading “these” books I have a problem. Especially when anyone outside of that camp is looked at with disdain because they aren’t accepted nor even seek to be accepted by them.
I guess that is where my struggle lies then bro. It is like if you haven’t arrived if you haven’t read Sproul, the Puritans, McArthur and the like. And if a Christian says “well I don’t even know who they are” they are looked at as blashphemers. I don’t think the authors intentions do that but I think the tone and constant pushing of these books perpetuate it.
KM,
It is funny when I recommend that someone not use a study bible and rather get a concordance a bible dictionary and some type of lexicon aid I am mocked. Actually I have never purchased a study bible on purpose. And the one I did I don’t use at all. Now this might sound arrogant but I then ask, whose study bible did they use? I believe those aids that help us understand both the language and the context and a reliance on the Spirit should be used instead of study bibles. Though I do believe they can be a great encouragement one of the many dangers is that I become isolated and I dont work out my interpertation in the light of community even with those who may have a different interpretation but the study notes take the place of prayer, they take the place of dilligent study and they force you to adopt the theological position of the author of such notes.
I think a good bible study methodology, good men and women that can hold you accountable and good aids would suffice and keep you from esteeming one man over the other.
Lionel-
Well said.
A believer with a bible and the study aids you mentioned will be led by the Spirit into all truth.
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
John 16:13-15
Man I definitely agree with you on this , you could have shut it down with this alone, “I think it is good to read the works of our great theologians today, but it is better for you to study the scriptures and pray for clarity.” We also have to remember that even our favorite theologians are not 100% accurate in their theology so we need to stay up in THE TRUTH llike you stated…very good post bro.
Hey can you leave your number again. Maybe we can talk when I leave work. Thanks. By the way I am going to purchase the book you recommended. I am reading “how houses changed the world” then I have Banks “Paul’s Idea of Community” I also have to review a New Covenant Book that was sent to me. But I will read that one shortly thereafter. How houses changed the world has some theological fallacies but it is still a good read.
So I ain’t against books I am against books that are only recommended by certain key theologians and to not read them is equivalent to theological anarchy.
Lionel,
I have to say 100% Amen to this post.
I had been going to the book store every week for the latest theological book. I read most of them. Then I just felt like I was supposed to drop all of that I was reading and just read the WORD without the others. A few weeks ago I was at a prayer meeting where I used to fellowship and reality hit. We were given a time to speak. One of the elders was trying to quote R.A. Torrey on a subject we were on. As he was looking up the quote I felt led to read something out of Is. as it pertained to the conversation. Anyway just as I finished up, the elder found the quote and read it. Just then the pastor said, Amen!!! then paused. And said, I love that qoute from Torrey. That floored me as the word of God was overlooked just for a quote from Torrey. They are heavy on reading Piper and listening to his sermons. I am not against these gentlemen, it’s just I feel a lot more emphasis is being given to what these men are saying about the scripture than what the Holy Spirit is saying. Does’nt the bible say that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things pertaining to God? Again I am not against theologians as such. Just the danger of overly using their qoutes over the word.
Steven
No problem big man.