Thoughts about thoughts
From time to time I amuse myself by thinking of how the purpose of this blogs existence has changed over time. While it was originally constructed as a playground for the HTML kindergartner, it soon became the outlet for a person that was interested to find how enjoyable it was to simply write. It then morphed into an excuse to garner the attention of someone and the possibility of interfacing with them (which if you are one of the very few reading this, there is most likely little need of explanation... :). But most recently it has again become an outlet for sharing my feelings and thoughts when I just need a different place to let go.
For the last several years I have been thinking and struggling with the ideas, beliefs and traditions that I have grown up with and interacted with for many years. Some readily affirm and have become even more convinced of over time. However, one that I have fought more than others is the idea that I should be able to nail down all my theology and defend it to the death. But as I continue to think about this topic and wrestle with its implications I find that I have not arrived. No, the core beliefs, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary death of Christ, the inerrancy of the Bible and similar things are not here in focus. But some of the more peripheral aspects of theology I am still working on. And as I do, I see the differences that are expressed and wonder how it all interacts, how it all fits together.
Now if anyone thinks I am becoming a theological pluralist, that I think there could be several different "correct" stances on any given doctrine, then no. With God there is truth, He has given us what is needed to sufficiently understand doctrine and in my theological journey, my lack of clarity does not constitute lack of truth on God's part.
However, as I was sitting in class this morning I wrote down some thoughts that are not solidified but reasonably express a thought that has been floating around in my head for some time. That,
my theology should always be growing deeper in an understanding of the core beliefs and to a degree changing in the details. Otherwise, I am saying that I have reached a total understanding of God, His works and His revelation. Thus I always want to listen to critics and different points of view as well as those who teach from where I stand. This is because I am always trying to more correctly understand God and His word and I can rest in the knowledge that, if I am striving for truth founded upon the Bible, I will not be afraid of criticism or difference. For if, by the grace of God, I have a correct understanding, why should I fear, and if I have an incorrect or incomplete understanding I should always be looking to be more in conformity to God and His word.
For the last several years I have been thinking and struggling with the ideas, beliefs and traditions that I have grown up with and interacted with for many years. Some readily affirm and have become even more convinced of over time. However, one that I have fought more than others is the idea that I should be able to nail down all my theology and defend it to the death. But as I continue to think about this topic and wrestle with its implications I find that I have not arrived. No, the core beliefs, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary death of Christ, the inerrancy of the Bible and similar things are not here in focus. But some of the more peripheral aspects of theology I am still working on. And as I do, I see the differences that are expressed and wonder how it all interacts, how it all fits together.
Now if anyone thinks I am becoming a theological pluralist, that I think there could be several different "correct" stances on any given doctrine, then no. With God there is truth, He has given us what is needed to sufficiently understand doctrine and in my theological journey, my lack of clarity does not constitute lack of truth on God's part.
However, as I was sitting in class this morning I wrote down some thoughts that are not solidified but reasonably express a thought that has been floating around in my head for some time. That,
my theology should always be growing deeper in an understanding of the core beliefs and to a degree changing in the details. Otherwise, I am saying that I have reached a total understanding of God, His works and His revelation. Thus I always want to listen to critics and different points of view as well as those who teach from where I stand. This is because I am always trying to more correctly understand God and His word and I can rest in the knowledge that, if I am striving for truth founded upon the Bible, I will not be afraid of criticism or difference. For if, by the grace of God, I have a correct understanding, why should I fear, and if I have an incorrect or incomplete understanding I should always be looking to be more in conformity to God and His word.
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