How do you base the importance of these?

[Ovedya]

We each have built our theology a certain way, developing from what is important to us. Here is a list of ways that we can gather our information to base our theology on. Reading them over, I am curious as to how each of us places the importance. If you read them and decide that you have more then one choice for a number, say you have two that you see the same importance, then it is OK to list them side by side. You may also choose not to include one or more.

Keep in mind that this is meant for each of us to better understand how we come to accept our beliefs and is not meant for debate. There is no right or wrong way, no grades.

In the following, the terms mean:

Scripture - the bible

Tradition - Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources. (How the Apostles acted, creeds, etc.)

Reason - Information that comes through the human mind

[Ovedya]

Emotions -should not be on the list nor considered

I believe emotions play a major role in our walk with Christ.

It depends on where those emotions come from. I have emotions for my family, but they are fickle and untrustworthy. However, when I am one with the Lord, enjoying His presence, gaining more of Him, expressing more of Him, then those human virtues (Which include emotions) are touched by the divine attributes - all that God is. The human virtues were created to express the divine attributes. Yet by the fall they became expressions of the fall - really of the serpentine nature rather than the divine nature with its attributes. So my emotions must be touched by the transforming work of the Spirit in order to truly express God's love, his light, His righteousness, His holiness, etc.

[traveller]

We each have built our theology a certain way, developing from what is important to us. Here is a list of ways that we can gather our information to base our theology on. Reading them over, I am curious as to how each of us places the importance. If you read them and decide that you have more then one choice for a number, say you have two that you see the same importance, then it is OK to list them side by side. You may also choose not to include one or more.

Keep in mind that this is meant for each of us to better understand how we come to accept our beliefs and is not meant for debate. There is no right or wrong way, no grades.

In the following, the terms mean:

Scripture - the bible

Tradition - Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources. (How the Apostles acted, creeds, etc.)

Reason - Information that comes through the human mind

[Guest man]

Emotions -should not be on the list nor considered

I believe emotions play a major role in our walk with Christ.

It depends on where those emotions come from. I have emotions for my family, but they are fickle and untrustworthy. However, when I am one with the Lord, enjoying His presence, gaining more of Him, expressing more of Him, then those human virtues (Which include emotions) are touched by the divine attributes - all that God is. The human virtues were created to express the divine attributes. Yet by the fall they became expressions of the fall - really of the serpentine nature rather than the divine nature with its attributes. So my emotions must be touched by the transforming work of the Spirit in order to truly express God's love, his light, His righteousness, His holiness, etc.

True.

[OneLight]

We each have built our theology a certain way, developing from what is important to us. Here is a list of ways that we can gather our information to base our theology on. Reading them over, I am curious as to how each of us places the importance. If you read them and decide that you have more then one choice for a number, say you have two that you see the same importance, then it is OK to list them side by side. You may also choose not to include one or more.

Keep in mind that this is meant for each of us to better understand how we come to accept our beliefs and is not meant for debate. There is no right or wrong way, no grades.

In the following, the terms mean:

Scripture - the bible

Tradition - Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources. (How the Apostles acted, creeds, etc.)

Reason - Information that comes through the human mind’s capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought.

General Revelation - Nature

Experience - Information that comes through direct encounter, participation, or observation.

Emotions - Information that comes through subjectively experienced psychological feelings.

1. Scripture
   
2. Tradition
   
3. Reason
   
4. General Revelation
   
5. Experience
   
6. Emotions
   

I don't agree that "General revelation" should be included. Nature as Creation reflects the Creator of course, but in terms of theological importance I would say that Scriptural Revelation and personal revelation should be higher on the list.

So....

1. Scripture

2. Scriptural Revelation

3. Corporate Revelation (which includes personal revelation)

4. Experience

5. Reason

6. Emotion

7. Tradition

General revelation is spoken of in Romans 1 when we are told that God will reveal Himself. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead ... Looking at all of His creation, nature. BTW, this is from a Theology class.

What is Scriptural Revelation? Throwing a curve to us?

[Guest yod]

1. Scripture - the bible

2. Tradition - Reason -.General Revelation - Experience -

Emotions -should not be on the list nor considered

Emotions are such a huge part of our makeup as human beings.

So? That is irrelevant to the OP which asked:

We each have built our theology a certain way, developing from what is important to us. Here is a list of ways that we can gather our information to base our theology on. Reading them over, I am curious as to how each of us places the importance.

Emotions have absolutely no "importance" when deciding what the truth is. It can (and does) get in the way of rational discernment.

Had it not been for those raw and exposed emotions over which I had no control - did I scream out to God and ask Him to Help Me .... Many people have to be at an emotional tsunami to be humbled to really and truly seek God.

Well of course you did....you're a woman!?!

I'm not saying that emotions aren't important for us; I'm just saying that they have nothing to do with truth. Truth is unemotional....and that is as it should be.

[Guest yod]

I'm not saying that emotions aren't important for us; I'm just saying that they have nothing to do with truth. Truth is unemotional....and that is as it should be.

but truth does us no good whatsoever if we don't believe it. and emotions play into what goes, and stays, in our brain.

again...that is irrelevant to the OP

do you know why wives are much more apt to remember an argument from a year ago than husbands are? because women tend to be more emotional

Do you know what the man is to be the "head"?

Because the heart is where emotions are. When emotions cloud your judgement, you will be making decisions based on fear.

Do we serve God because we are afraid of Him? Do we choose Jesus because we are afraid of hell?

If so, then our relationship will be one of works instead of love.

some emotions i have felt regarding my Jesus have helped develop and strengthen my belief system regarding who He is, and who i am to Him.

If you are talking about love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and patience then of course those emotions are important....but still have no bearing on what is true.

The truth is unemotional...as it should be.

[traveller]

Perhaps a new thread should be started so as not to hijack this one. The OP stated that he didn't want this to be a debate thread.

[Rhonda Lou]

We each have built our theology a certain way, developing from what is important to us. Here is a list of ways that we can gather our information to base our theology on. Reading them over, I am curious as to how each of us places the importance. If you read them and decide that you have more then one choice for a number, say you have two that you see the same importance, then it is OK to list them side by side. You may also choose not to include one or more.

Keep in mind that this is meant for each of us to better understand how we come to accept our beliefs and is not meant for debate. There is no right or wrong way, no grades.

In the following, the terms mean:

Scripture - the bible

Tradition - Religious information that has been handed down to us from various sources. (How the Apostles acted, creeds, etc.)

Reason - Information that comes through the human mind

[Guest yod]

Perhaps a new thread should be started so as not to hijack this one. The OP stated that he didn't want this to be a debate thread.

but that is soooooo boring???

OK...I'll butt out. Now back to your regularly scheduled snoozefest.