Theological Idolatry

[OldShep]

Theological Idolatry

My definition,

1: The study of God's word to the point of losing sight ofGod Grace and Mercy; to the Idea of being seen as personally right.

2: The hauling of God word down to earth , boxing it up intothe minds of man.

3: Worshiping knowledge and self over that of the Creator.

Just wondering, why so many fights happen between believers over the Word of God!

ICL Dennis

[Guest yod]

Don't you know???

It's a greek spirit.

[Botz]

Apologies to any Greeks here who might not understand the Yod humour

Pride is often the root cause Denins...none of us are exempt, but hopefully we can be open and honest enough with each other to humbly point it out, and also to submit our minds to the constant renewal that comes from aligning our thinking and understanding with what G-d reveals in His Word. We are all a 'work in progress' until we go to be with Jesus...that is no excuse, but it means what we once were or what we once saw in others, constantly changes it we/they walk in the Spirit and do not walk in the flesh.

Regards. Botz

[~candice~]

It's definitely possible and happening in church today. However, I have few hobbies. I hate watching tv, I read all day at work so don't read for pleasure (fiction) much, I cook but that doesn't take long... so I have a fair bit of free time and I love studying theology as it's better than other ways to pass time and I often find that people find it a rather "religious" thing to do, instead of a real joy (which I find it to be). So, there are two sides to this coin.

[nebula]

The question is, Candice - what do you do with that theology?

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

Do you use your theological knowledge to pursue godliness and to lead others towards godliness, to learn of God and His ways? Or is it knowledge for knowledge?

There's a lot of theology out there that's more about how to dissect the Scriptures than how to apply them.

[~candice~]

I have to do something with it? I can't just study it for the pure joy of it?

I get a lot of joy, and peace, and settlement, from reading His Word and seeking to understand it. It feels so foreign to me to have to defend this behaviour.

[enoob57]

For the wonder of His Person.....

It is the only way in which He has given me to know Him and understand what I am through Him...

It is the Breath, The Water, The fire, The Foundation from which I step into eternity...

It is all that IS, WAS, WILL BE my Lord Jesus Christ...

The -relationship with God!

Love, Steven

[nebula]

Not trying to say that's wrong. I enjoying knowledge for knowledge' sake myself!

But the knowledge needs to go from your head to your heart for it to produce fruit, doesn't it?

Eccl. 1

12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered. 16 I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge." 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Eccl. 12

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

[enoob57]

Apologies to any Greeks here who might not understand the Yod humour

Pride is often the root cause Denins...none of us are exempt, but hopefully we can be open and honest enough with each other to humbly point it out, and also to submit our minds to the constant renewal that comes from aligning our thinking and understanding with what G-d reveals in His Word. We are all a 'work in progress' until we go to be with Jesus...that is no excuse, but it means what we once were or what we once saw in others, constantly changes it we/they walk in the Spirit and do not walk in the flesh.

Regards. Botz

I personaly rejoice in standing up and having the wrong knocked off of me by ya'll... I did not want it anyway !!! Love, Steven

who can argue with this... come on I dare ya

[Isaiah 6:8]

Andy, I think what Old Shep is speaking of is people quite the opposite of you. Those who study theology to make themselves look better then others, to have a pride of knowledge. Theyy study and box God into what they think, they study to the point of spiritually drying up completely, where they have no relationship with Christ, but instead have a religion based on grand ideas about theology but nothing to do with God.

You, by far are not one of those people!