When Christians Love Theology More Than People

[nebula]

"It’s easy to get caught up in theorizing about God, but within our everyday lives reality is what matters most to the people around us. Theorizing only becomes important once it becomes relevant and practical and applicable to our lives."

https://sojo.net/articles/when-christians-love-theology-more-people

[SimonB]

That is true isn't it?

Its so easy to get sidetracked with an obsession over some detail.

Right now I'm becoming a bit distracted by all the timeline stuff again.

 

[enoob57]

Well all that's left is to inject the fact that God is not keeping anything of the 1^st creation... so letting God's Word (the ology or the study) is to adaquately begin to know and build a relationship with The Lord in the only venue God has allowed... the posted persuasion it is a subtle push to let the things of this life have #1 importance. I believe this to be error due to the fact God is not keeping any of it into the eternity... the result will be- what was to be according to God's Word, (the eternal 'IS'), was the necessary of faith applied so that we adjust ourselves in s/Spirit to the eternal realities and not that which passes away and then nothing... allowing the loving others without the concern for cost (for we do not keep it anyway) is the freedom The Lord has provided us with in His Word but not at the expense of His Word and it's work within our lives...

1 Corinthians 13:3 (NKJV)

[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:9 (NKJV)

[9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. [13] And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Bottom line I do not give love to that which passes away for you cannot give eternal to temporary but receiving the eternal (God's Word pure religion) and giving it out as directed by The Holy Spirit 'IS' the transport into the new heaven and new earth ...

Love, Steven

[Guest Teditis]

Excellent article... loved it!

We are supposed to DO the Will of God... not just stockpile it in our heads and argue it with others on a chat forum.

Christian's are sometimes too quick to shoot their wounded and overlook the fact that we're to Love each other...

that's a command from Christ's very lips. And Love is an action as well as a mere emotion, although the emotion

can help drive us to the actual DOING His Will.

Very nice, Nebula!

[LadyKay]

Agree. Very good topic here. 

[The_Patriot21]

There are some good points here, but there needs to be a fine line. A lot of churches sacrifice sound doctrine in the name of "love" and that is just as dangerous.

[OneLight]

The article reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13.  Without love ...

We all have a theology, even unbelievers.  Their theology is far different than a believer, but it is a theology none the less.  Stephen hit on the issue at the very end " But too often, we’re guilty of failing to practically apply our beliefs in tangible ways that actually help others. In the end, this is what matters most to the world around us: that we simply love as Christ loved." 

I believe he is speaking to the very sloppy application of ones theology.  Theology itself is necessary.  Without it, we would not be able to defend any "truth" we hold.  Correct application of theology would force one to have an idea of what the theology of another is and allow us to meet the person where they are.  We cannot use theology to convince anyone, as they hold to different truths.  If one loves their theology to a point where there is no love in their messages to another, then they have applied their theology wrongly.

I also believe theology is a living belief, meaning it changes as we discover new truths from God or when we place on item we hold true more to the front of our stage of truth.  Thought some theories never change, others do, and we continue to grow in Him.

The true problem, as Stephen points out, is man.  Man can take perfect guidance and instructions from God and mess it up rather easily when we allow the flesh to control our decisions.  That is what I think he is alluding to here.  Not that theology is bad, but our applications may be very wrong.  How we build our theology is also important when it comes to the application.  Unless this is done right, ones theology may focus on the Hell and Brimstone and have very little to do with love, as they may hold Folk Theology higher then Sola Scriptura where we find His truth.  They may hold tradition higher, as they came out of an old fashioned Hell and Brimstone church.  Sloppy theology is where bad theology begins, but remember, all heretic ideas come from the same scripture you read to build your theology.  The problem is what one takes from the very words you both read.

[shel]

5 hours ago, The_Patriot2016 said:

There are some good points here, but there needs to be a fine line. A lot of churches sacrifice sound doctrine in the name of "love" and that is just as dangerous.

The thing is... love isn't stupid. It's sin that makes people stupid. Love delights in sound doctrine.

[Marilyn C]

Hi nebula,

Interesting & important topic there. here are my thoughts.

Quote from article.

`Beyond the realm of churches, religious blogs, and bible colleges, nobody really cares about theology. What does matter is the way you treat other people........

But too often, we’re guilty of failing to practically apply our beliefs in tangible ways that actually help others. In the end, this is what matters most to the world around us: that we simply love as Christ loved.`

 

While I very much agree that we need to show God`s love to others as first priority, I would question these statements –

`Beyond the realm of churches, religious blogs, and bible colleges, nobody really cares about theology.` &

`In the end, this is what matters most to the world around us: that we simply love as Christ loved.`

 

So a quick picture – You are going up a mountain track & see many people heading in the direction of a cliff, (that they can`t see), so you just carry of `loving them & caring for their aches & pains?` Of course not, you tell them as you care for them, where they are heading – for the cliff edge.

The fact that you care & show God`s love, enables the other person to begin to trust & listen to you. And might I say this is over a period of time usually & not just a rally round for a day etc.

Personally, I have found that the people I mentor have sought me out (by the Holy Spirit) as they have hungered for more truth. One lady said “I always knew there was more,” & had to wait till we came back from holidays to learn about God`s eternal purposes. She just knew that Trevor & I were people she needed to talk to after seeing us at a service.

 Now after 15 years she reaches so many as God has gifted her with making great truths in everyday language for people. Working in an opportunity shop she meets & helps many people.

What people in the world are looking for, as well as the kind word & loving care is someone to make sense of what is actually happening on the world scene. This is where our correct eschatology is very important. I was taught how the nations would emerge & what they would do. People we talk to can easily see this happening before their very eyes. It brings scripture into the now for them. And actually they are ahead of what is happening as God`s word says all that.

BTW I`m doing a series on the nations in my blog in the New Year. So look forward to any comments from others.

 

Marilyn.

[The_Patriot21]

1 hour ago, shel said:

The thing is... love isn't stupid. It's sin that makes people stupid. Love delights in sound doctrine.

I totally agree, but that is a lot of the reason churches compromise where they shouldn't, with a misconception of what true love is, and a want to not come across as "judgemental"