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Those theologians who have become famous, especially in the modern age, are very susceptible to pride and ego. It soon becomes about them not about truth. They want to continue to sell books and be admired by many. I am not making an accusation but simply recognizing the nature of man. Ego among professional theologians is a real problem.
Why don't you provide us with example of how this 'ego' is demonstrated by contemporary theologians? Who are the 'professional theologians' to whom you refer?
Good Day, JLR
If you take the time to read over some of the reformed works and the historical doctrine of justified thought faith alone (Sola Fide) you will find it in many writings in the early church.
John Chrysostom
"Attend to this, ye who come to baptism at the close of life, for we indeed pray that after baptism ye may have also this deportment, but thou art seeking and doing thy utmost to depart without it. For, what though thou be justified: yet is it of faith only. But we pray that thou shouldest have as well the confidence that cometh of good works" (Homilies on Second Corinthians, 2:8, vv. 10-11)
"They said that he who kept not the Law was cursed, but he proves that he who kept it was cursed, and he who kept it not, blessed. Again, they said that he who adhered to Faith alone was cursed, but he shows that he who adhered to Faith alone is blessed." (Commentary on Galatians, 3, v. 8)
Clement of Rome:
"And we who through his will have been called in Christ Jesus are justified, not by ourselves, or through our wisdom or understanding or godliness, or the works that we have done in holiness of heart, but by faith, by which all men from the beginning have been justified by Almighty God, to whom be glory world without end. Amen. What, then, shall we do, brethren? Shall we cease from well-doing, and abandon charity? May the Master never allow that this should happen to us! but let us rather with diligence and zeal hasten to fulfil every good work. For the Maker and Lord of all things rejoiceth in his works. By his supreme power he founded the heavens, and by his incomprehensible understanding he ordered them. The earth he separated from the water that surrounded it, and fixed it on the firm foundation of his own will. The animals which inhabit therein he commanded to be by his ordinance. Having made beforehand the sea and the animals that are therein, he shut them in by his own power. Man, the most excellent of all animals, infinite in faculty, he moulded with his holy and faultless hands, in the impress of his likeness. For thus saith God: Let us make man in our own image, and after our own likeness. And God made man. Male and female made he them. When, therefore, he had finished all things, he praised and blessed them, and said, Be fruitful, and multiply. Let us see, therefore, how all the just have been adorned with good works. Yea, the Lord himself rejoiced when he had adorned himself with his works. Having, therefore, this example, let us come in without shrinking to his will; let us work with all our strength the work of righteousness." (32-33)
Augustine:
"no one is delivered from the condemnation which was incurred through Adam except through the faith of Jesus Christ, and yet from this condemnation they shall not deliver themselves who shall be able to say that they have not heard the gospel of Christ" (On Rebuke and Grace, 11)
In addition to the fact that is biblical...
In Him,
Bill
Are you once again questioning my veracity? Men I admire greatly and know personally and have met are subject to the problem with ego. When someone has a great amount of influence it is a boost to their ego and you cannot deny it.Why don't you provide us with example of how this 'ego' is demonstrated by contemporary theologians? Who are the 'professional theologians' to whom you refer?
Yes. This accusation needs to be proven with documentation. Thus far all we have are accusations.
If ego among 'professional theologians' is a 'real problem' and yet all 'truly called' pastors are also theologians then these are to blame it seems as well. I'd say that many pastors would not consider themselves theologians and would consider many of them 'called'.
Since it is a 'real problem' I await documented evidence. Otherwise it looks like a broad brush accusation from said person that remains an unfounded accusation.
... but theologian as a profession is not found in the Scriptures. Also John MacArthur's ego is clearly seen when he speaks...
Theologians are teachers and do have Christian gifts. Comparing the Pharisees to Christian theologians is an informal fallacy because the Pharisees were hypocrites for proclaiming a false theology not because they were theologians. Of course there are false theologians that teach heresy, just like there are false pastors. If you say that theologians have no place in the Church, then you might as well take out the Gospel of Luke for Luke was a theologian himself. In the end, the definiton of theology is the study of God. Based on that, we are all theologians. Also, the gift of evangelism is a gift plenty of women have, they just can't be pastors . Peace be with youAmen. As a matter of fact, the theologians of the day (when Christ was on earth) were severely condemned and exposed as hypocrites.
The Holy Spirit gave five spiritual gifts to the Church for ministry. We already have the apostles and prophets in Scripture (today's apostles and prophets are frauds). So we are left with the gifts of (1) evangelists (2) pastors and (3) teachers.
These gifts are reserved for Christian men, not necessarily for those who attend Bible schools and seminaries. These gifts are not for women, since they are forbidden to usurp spiritual authority over men. There is no mention of theologians in Scripture. This is basically a Roman Catholic concept, adopted by Protestants, and then further adopted by Evangelicals. The influence of Rome prevails far more than we realize.
Are you once again questioning my veracity? Men I admire greatly and know personally and have met are subject to the problem with ego. When someone has a great amount of influence it is a boost to their ego and you cannot deny it.
Men such as R.C. Sproul are professional theologians. He decided early to study to be one and made himself one. Yes he has much good to say and I agree with him on many things but theologian as a profession is not found in the Scriptures. Also John MacArthur's ego is clearly seen when he speaks. One of my most beloved friends is considered a theologian and his ego is as big as a room.
I clearly stated that I was making no accusations but as has been our history you call into question everything I say. So be it.
The fact that many pastors don't consider themselves to be theologians has no bearing on whether they are or not. Most God called pastors are not famous either. They simply minister in the place Christ has put them without any pat on the back or admiration from the religious world.
So would you deny that the nature of man, even a born again man, is to love to have his ego stroked and when fame comes they often get a big head and a commanding attitude?
Why would you need evidence if you didn't question my veracity. The statement was intended as a general statement in order to not make an accusation against any person individually. I did name two to in order to appease your contentious attitude but as a I made it clear in the post it was simply a general statement and requires no proof. General statements are acceptable and you are free to agree or disagree. I don't need to defend it because the truth of it is either well known generally or can be dismissed offhand as the reader desires.twin,
Why are you so defensive? I was NOT questioning your veracity. I was simply asking for evidence.
I don't understand why the resistance in this thread to theologians? 'Theology' is based on two Greek words, theos which means 'God' and logos for 'ology', which is 'word'. For a literal understanding, the word theology means 'word about God” or 'the study of God'.
Therefore, theologians are those who engage in the study of theology - the study of God.
I am certainly not going to object to a ministry that involves the study of God.
You know as well as I that you can't document the subjective. Therefore your request is moot and pointless.Yes. This accusation needs to be proven with documentation. Thus far all we have are accusations.
If ego among 'professional theologians' is a 'real problem' and yet all 'truly called' pastors are also theologians then these are to blame it seems as well. I'd say that many pastors would not consider themselves theologians and would consider many of them 'called'.
Since it is a 'real problem' I await documented evidence. Otherwise it looks like a broad brush accusation from said person that remains an unfounded accusation.
You know as well as I that you can't document the subjective. Therefore your request is moot and pointless.
As far as the rest see my above post.
I used the Baptist icon up until a few months ago when a poster in the Semper Reformanda forum asked me to change it in order to answer questions in the Ask a Calvinist forum. No one who has ever read my posts has ever questioned whether I am a Baptist or not.
As far as a false assumption goes I didn't assume anything I simply went with what you intimated in your post.
The other so-called false accusations can easily be checked by looking at the history of your posts on this board. If anyone cares to do that they can.
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