Less theology, more service!

[zoidar]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

This is my "theology."

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God in the flesh. Born of a virgin. Lived a sinless life. Was crucified on the cross, buried, and raised from the dead for my sin.

Doing what He commanded, such as: being baptized, gathering with other Christians, loving your neighbor as yourself, are all what I do as a reflection of His love and for His granting me eternal life upon my asking for His forgiveness and accepting Him as Lord and Savior.

 

[HTacianas]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

I feel like you're singling me out. I sometimes feel guilty that I spend so much time reading and not actually doing anything good.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Theology is the cornerstone of all Christian faith and morals.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

So arianism is permissible? Christ as creation, not creator or do you generally draw the line at a orthodox definition of the Christiology?

Problem with your attitude is (I propose?) Is the presumption that all believers adhere to the 7 ecumenical councils which some don't.

It comes of a syncretism and relativism as it catches my eye.

 

[TuxAme]

Theology can't be neglected. Jesus spent three years ministering and teaching- and He charged the apostles (and all of us) to teach all the nations. What should we teach them? How can we know without the Church's theological tradition?

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Theology can't be neglected. Jesus spent three years ministering and teaching- and He charged the apostles (and all of us) to teach all the nations. What should we teach them? How can we know without the Church's theological tradition?

That's what's so brilliant with the church, at least in the past. She as a body served and lectured all at the same time. Different orders, different ministries.

I could spend my entire life studying theology for the greater good of myself and the church (if talented) and do so without concern for the poor and marginalized taken care of by the Franciscans.

That's a true body for you right there. The feet doesn't need to envy the hands nor the shoulder the knee. It's one body serving the one head, Christ our Lord.

 

[dzheremi]

Pietism is wrong.

And what Christ calls eternal life is that we know the Father, and the One He has sent. (John 17:3)

As theology is man's attempt to do just that, I think arguing for less of it is arguing for something other than eternal life. I can only speak for me, but I'm not interested in that. Anyone can perform service for any number of reasons. Go volunteer somewhere with whomever for whatever reasons. But if you're going to put it out there to Christians, then there should be some theological basis for everything we do or do not do.

 

[Mountainmike]

The bible says as much in 1 Corinthians 13:2

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

 

[St_Worm2]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

I feel like you're singling me out. I sometimes feel guilty that I spend so much time reading and not actually doing anything good.

Hi Zoidar, while I agree with most of what you are saying, and I have certainly echoed the sentiment of HTacianas numerous times during my life as a Christian (because the more we grow in knowledge and understanding of various things/truths, specifically Christian or otherwise, the more we seem to need an outlet for them too, yes?), loving others to the best of our ability necessarily includes an ever increasing knowledge and understanding of the word of God/the Christian faith. For instance, the Apostle makes it clear that "love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth". So we need to be continually growing in His truth, and in the truth concerning His great love for us and for others

You are correct in this however, if we are only here to duke it out (or worse, play gotcha ) with other Christians to prove that we are "right" and they are "wrong", then we are not here for the right reason. The reason I know this is true is because CF is a treasure trove of opportunities to do otherwise, IOW, to actually help the lost, the confused and the hurting (because this place is literally LOADED with them, particularly the hurting). Between our Prayer Wall, Christian Advice, New Christians, Recovery, Outreach and the debate boards that include non-Christians, we should certainly be concerned if the Christian debate boards are the only boards we frequent.

It seems like your call above is for balance, and I am wholly in agreement with you about that

It also seems to me that a proper understanding of God's word (and therefore His will for us) should naturally lead us to want to share His love with others regularly, which certainly includes loving our brothers and sisters who have a slightly different understanding of part of the Christian faith than we do (not playing "gotcha" with them all the time ) .. Matthew 5:16, 7:12; 1 Corinthians 13:1, 4-8; James 1:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 2:9-11

--David

Romans 12
2 ..Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.​

2 Timothy 3
16 ..All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 ..so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.​

.

 

[dreadnought]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

Service is a necessary part of the Christian life, but if we sin, we cause trouble. Theology helps us understand that.

 

[St. Helens]

MOD HAT ON

MOD HAT OFF​

 

[John Bowen]

Instead of us all just being like the scribes and Pharisees who were arguing about some mute point of law just as people are doing today.Why don't people on this forum do something like a prayer vigil " When two or more come in my name there I will be there " , Jesus Christ when hundreds come together "community " and make the calls ( prayers ) to Jesus he can multiply our efforts .We have the authority to bring God's kingdom as above so below , but we don't have the power .The Christ has the power when we give him the authority. Because of the law of free will. Prayers to end war, poverty , abortion, rape , child abuse , stopping terrorism , school shootings, corruption in government what ever topic people want to do let's do it together . I don't believe this works I know this works .

 

[St_Worm2]

The Christ has the power when we give him the authority. Because of the law of free will.

Please elaborate a bit.

1) "The" Christ "has power" when "we" .. "give Him the authority"? .. Matthew 28:18

Matthew 28
16 The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth".​

2) "We" gave Jesus His authority and power (because of the "law of free will"). What's that ​

Thanks!

--David

 

[redleghunter]

It's easy to get stuck in theologism, all the hundreds of questions around the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. I know it's easy to get pulled in, we discuss, we argue, we worry, we get upset etc. Nothing wrong with discussing theology, but sometimes we spend most of our time trying convince other Christians that our theology is right.

Jesus isn't that concerned about our theology. What he is concerned about is having disciples who are true followers, people who live for him. On that day, he won't ask us about our theology, but he will ask us how we served him through the faith he gave us. Did we spend it all on ourselves or did we give to our fellow brothers and sisters? Did we share the love Christ shared with us on the cross of calvary?

Jesus Christ would be concerned if His followers didn’t get the Gospel right. Paul makes that quite clear in Galatians.

Galatians 1: NASB
6I am astonished how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a divine curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you embraced, let him be under a divine curse!

 

[redleghunter]

The bible says as much in 1 Corinthians 13:2

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Which is quite a beautiful quote. Which is balanced a few verses later showing this love is not the love of the world the “acceptance” of unrighteousness in the name of “love.”

1 Corinthians 13: NASB
4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

[Mountainmike]

True... also emphasised by the fact that Jesus stresses the two most important commandments are love of God and neighbour.

Which is quite a beautiful quote. Which is balanced a few verses later showing this love is not the love of the world the “acceptance” of unrighteousness in the name of “love.”

1 Corinthians 13: NASB
4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

[zoidar]

Thanks for all replies in the thread! God bless you brothers and sisters! Let us lay down our lives for Christ. I'm convinced that us laying down our lives of him, He will empower us through the Holy Spirit.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." /James 4:8

 

[John Bowen]

Please elaborate a bit.

1) "The" Christ "has power" when "we" .. "give Him the authority"? .. Matthew 28:18

Matthew 28
16 The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth".​

2) "We" gave Jesus His authority and power (because of the "law of free will"). What's that ​

Thanks!

--David

Please elaborate a bit.

1) "The" Christ "has power" when "we" .. "give Him the authority"? .. Matthew 28:18

Matthew 28
16 The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth".​

2) "We" gave Jesus His authority and power (because of the "law of free will"). What's that ​

Thanks!

--David