when does theology become a red line?

A New Day

Newbie
Jan 7, 2013
703
60
✟16,921.00
Faith
Christian
When do you think that the study of God that we give a word for it: theology, when does that become a red line?

The thought troubles me a bit and I do not know exactly, I think that it becomes a red line if I stop to have the fear of God in me, but if there is a fear of God what is the limit in what we can study?

what are your thoughts?
 

motherprayer

Elisha
Jul 12, 2012
8,466
586
Visit site
✟19,375.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
of course, the times when you study God that is called theology, what is forbidden? in other words what is the limit?

Well, I would recommend less theological study and more Scriptural study, if that makes sense. Study what God's Word says about God first, before reading other publications about Him.
 
Upvote 0

A New Day

Newbie
Jan 7, 2013
703
60
✟16,921.00
Faith
Christian
What do you mean by a "red line"?

for example the thought that I said: the fear of God is the limit, I mean if I study God and I do not have the fear of God i may cross the red line of the fear of God, and if that happens I begin to study the word of God to not understand God but to blaspheme for example.

what do you think strelok0017, what is the red line that we must not cross when we study theology?
 
Upvote 0

Pal Handy

Irregular Member
Jun 15, 2011
3,796
228
Southeast Michigan
✟20,508.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
When do you think that the study of God that we give a word for it: theology, when does that become a red line?

The thought troubles me a bit and I do not know exactly, I think that it becomes a red line if I stop to have the fear of God in me, but if there is a fear of God what is the limit in what we can study?

what are your thoughts?
God doesn't ask you to make a case study of Him but to enter into
a loving relationship as a Father to a son.

Yes we at times could fear our father when we are disobedient and have
harmed others that He loves but God our Heavenly Father wants us to
do what is right before Him because we know He loves us and His love for
us has caused us to love Him in return and so now we want to please Him out
of love instead of fear.

When a child is little and disobeys their parents, the fear of unpleasant
consequences will correct a child wrong behavior but as a child matures,
they can be reasoned with and the consequences of their action explained
in loving way so that they may appreciate the motive of love behind the parents correction.

Fear is the beginning of wisdom but as a child grows, love becomes the
driving force behind the relationship.

A person who only fears the Lord and never progresses to love is one
who is immature and has never allowed God's love to perfect them so
they can see that all God does is based in love and His desire to bring
us closer to Himself so that we love Him and love to do what pleases Him.

Jesus is the expressed character of God in human form.

If you want to study God for the purpose of knowing Him in a deeper, intimate and personal
relationship, (God's intended way) then study the life of Christ.

As you see the character of God as revealed by God the son, surrender your life to Jesus Christ and
ask Him to show you how to have a mature and loving relationship with God the Father based
in the love of God expressed to us in God the son, Jesus Christ.
 
Upvote 0

A New Day

Newbie
Jan 7, 2013
703
60
✟16,921.00
Faith
Christian
Well, I would recommend less theological study and more Scriptural study, if that makes sense. Study what God's Word says about God first, before reading other publications about Him.

I feel that your advice is precious, that reminds me about what you mentioned previously about the meat food and what not, indeed the study of him demands a lot and that is if we are able to understand a bit anyway.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

A New Day

Newbie
Jan 7, 2013
703
60
✟16,921.00
Faith
Christian
I think I know what you are asking.

When does asking questions about God and His methods become blasphemous.

Who are we to question Him.

Is this what you mean?

that is what I think sometimes... your first sentence When does asking questions about God and His methods become blasphemous
 
Upvote 0

motherprayer

Elisha
Jul 12, 2012
8,466
586
Visit site
✟19,375.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I feel that your advice is precious, that reminds me about what you mentioned previously about the meat food and what not, indeed the study of him demands a lot and that is if we are able to understand a bit anyway.

Aww :blush: I love you!

I don't think there's a line. There ARE some things that make people uncomfortable to talk about. But there is never anything wrong with trying to get an answer.

I will say this. Any answer you get from a person, test it against Scripture. See if it lines up. But the only real "line" that could be crossed with studying God is believing one has found all the answers. That is prideful, as there are mysteries that cannot be known in this present life.
 
Upvote 0

Pal Handy

Irregular Member
Jun 15, 2011
3,796
228
Southeast Michigan
✟20,508.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Pal Handy

Thank you I could not say my question better than that, the word disobedient is what I mean.

Of course, the love never fails but did you ever study theology and if you did did you ever feel that you may be disobedient to God?

On a side note, studying God is also to study Jesus.
Yes, we all are disobediant and all have sinned and fail and fall short
of God's Holiness and perfection so that we always need our savior, Jesus Christ.

No man in the flesh can ever please God.
Only Jesus Christ, God in flesh, was perfect and did all that God required.

We can never be justified before God in ourselves.

In Christ we are forgiven and called the sons and daughters of God.

Whenever you read in the scripture and find out that you have sinned or
failed, confess your faults and receive forgiveness in Christ.

To me, we should daily come to God in Christ and receive whatever we need in forgiveness,
understanding, wisdom, guidance, daily bread, help for ourselve and others and
whatever else a loving Father can grant to His sons and daughters.

You are a son of God because you have trusted in Christ for your
right standing before God.

You are now a son of God.

You cannot be good enough to be a son but because you have trusted
in Christ, you ARE a son of God.

Sons are not kicked to the curb when they make mistakes but are helped
up and lovingly shown the right way to walk without stubbling.

Many Christians fail to see this relationship God has called us to in Christ
so the are fearful and continually worry that God is angry with them and
that He distances Himself from us because of our failings and sins.

God did not send Christ into the world to condemn it but to save all those who would let Him save them.

God calls us His sons and daughters so our relationship is one based in love and God's desire
to bring us closer to Himself and not to drive us away when we make mistakes.

I hope this helps you...
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

strelok0017

_______
Sep 23, 2011
4,760
225
✟13,640.00
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Private
His will is revealed in the Scriptures, no need for anything else. It's never enough, in a sense, because when you are very happy in God and someone would ask you "Is that enough?" you would probably scream "No!". Read the Bible slowly and digest it, meditate on it and you will see much more than I can hope to say in a trillion posts.
 
Upvote 0

A New Day

Newbie
Jan 7, 2013
703
60
✟16,921.00
Faith
Christian
motherprayer

thank you that brings two new thought:

- of course a lot of people are not able/or they may not prefer to know about God in love, and they study theology but with that the brain is limited, and without love there may be doubts so the question is the following: since there is never a truth that is complete without love then what to do about the unanswered questions?

- since there will still be unanswered questions, in other words since no reality about God is complete then should the person stop or never study God because it will not lead to the whole truth?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

motherprayer

Elisha
Jul 12, 2012
8,466
586
Visit site
✟19,375.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Since there will still be unanswered questions, in other words since no reality about God is complete then should the person stop or never study God because it will not lead to the whole truth?

A person should study Scripture always. My pastor, who has led our church for 17 years, says often that he can read a Verse he's seen a thousand times and only on the 1001st time does he really feel he understands it.

I'm a big fan of topical studies, ones that relate to a specific issue or story, and what Scripture says about them.

And Scripture even tells us to study Scripture:
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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:
Ephesians 3:1-4 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

These are a few :)
 
Upvote 0

Pal Handy

Irregular Member
Jun 15, 2011
3,796
228
Southeast Michigan
✟20,508.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
motherprayer

thank you that brings two new thought:

- of course a lot of people are not able/or they may not prefer to know about God in love, and they study theology but with that the brain is limited, and without love there may be doubts so the question is the following: since there is never a truth that is complete without love then what to do about the unanswered questions?

- since there will still be unanswered questions, in other words since no reality about God is complete then should the person stop or never study God because it will not lead to the whole truth?
What unanswered questions?

God's love answers all the questions that need to or can be answered at our level of understanding.

Does a father try to explain it all to his newborn child?

We could not possibly receive all the answers to all the questions so
for now they are all set at rest until the proper time by the love of God
expressed to us in Christ.

The word of God says that now we know in part but when we seen Him,
we will know and be known and we will be like Him....

What does a child need to know, how atoms are held in place without spining apart or
that their Daddy loves them and will provide all their needs for love and care.

We are God's children, in a loving relationship with Him and all will be revealed when it is
the proper time and place as decided by our loving Heavenly Father.

Trust is key in this relationship, not knowledge.

You could posses all the knowledge of God but without love you would be empty
and all that knowledge would be useless.

It is love that is the greatest of all things...God did all of this for love.

God made us for love.

God made us to love.

The real answer to all things is God so loved that He gave.....

Our Father has chosen not to answer all of our questions now so if we are to go forward
in a relationship with Him, we must trust that He has very good reasons for His actions.

Relationship first, everything else will find its proper place.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

CounselorForChrist

Senior Veteran
Aug 24, 2010
6,576
237
✟15,792.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
I'm all for bible studies and stuff. But I think it comes to a line that we sometimes cross into when we either become extreme in something we think is right or when we start fighting rather then debating.

Theres a section here on apologetics and stuff like that. Some of it is ok, but most of it is so silly to me. Spend a month arguing if you should spell His name God, GOD or god. Or arguing how tall someone like Noah was. None of this is crucial to being a christian.

You could be spending your time instead doing something for the church or saving someone. So to me theres a lines between studying and becoming obsessed about insignificant things that in the end you would have wished you hadn't bothered with.
 
Upvote 0

ChristianLife08

Christian
Apr 3, 2013
371
11
✟8,069.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
When do you think that the study of God that we give a word for it: theology, when does that become a red line?

The thought troubles me a bit and I do not know exactly, I think that it becomes a red line if I stop to have the fear of God in me, but if there is a fear of God what is the limit in what we can study?

what are your thoughts?

That's certainly a major aspect of the possible issue, of course. To quote a brilliant teacher:
"The occupational hazard of theologians is to become to engrossed in the development of systematic models of understanding that God becomes an ABSTRACT INTELLECTUAL FORMULATION they discuss and write about INSTEAD OF a LIVING PERSON they love on bended knees. "
- Kenneth Boa, Conformed to His Image ( emphasis added)

This is where hopefully most Christians can draw the red line, and hopefully from that remember to turn back and face our Heavenly Father.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

motherprayer

Elisha
Jul 12, 2012
8,466
586
Visit site
✟19,375.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I'm all for bible studies and stuff. But I think it comes to a line that we sometimes cross into when we either become extreme in something we think is right or when we start fighting rather then debating.

Theres a section here on apologetics and stuff like that. Some of it is ok, but most of it is so silly to me. Spend a month arguing if you should spell His name God, GOD or god. Or arguing how tall someone like Noah was. None of this is crucial to being a christian.

You could be spending your time instead doing something for the church or saving someone. So to me theres a lines between studying and becoming obsessed about insignificant things that in the end you would have wished you hadn't bothered with.

Now wait a sec lol you know I love you, but I gotta say this, I have never seen topics like that come up. Yes, there is some bickering, but there is also much to be learned there.

I am in ministry at my church, and I still have time for GT and CA. They really are beautiful places because, beneath the arguing, you can truly see how committed these people are to their faith.
 
Upvote 0