Also posted on our Facebook Wall entitled “Exposing the False Prophets—Reformation Christians Against TBN” found at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=308173344359
1. “Reymond’s Systematic Theology,” the necessity of systematic theology and miscellaneous afterthoughts with help from his “Systematic Theology“ (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers), xxv-xxxvi.
2. Is theology important and necessary?
3. Our reference point for wider inquiry is certainly ourselves, but also TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, and Contemporary Evangelicals. Here’s a few takes from TBN-ers, although the question applies across the other venues.
3. Paul Crouch’s view at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-zOymSa3Hg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hFWi26Mz78&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5h45PayJio&feature=related
4. Benny Hinn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8bDzqZLSx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HynY1vffoeM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4yFHQ7Ih6k&feature=related
5. Todd Bentley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iS5a7Fico4&feature=related
6. Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzw1rowl0So
7. These can be multiplied. See the 750 “links” to the left near the bottom at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=308173344359
8. Let talk about theology. So much for the TBN-theologians above (tongue in cheek). Here are some reasons to do theology.
(1) Christ’s own theological method. Luke 4.16-21, details and deductions after Scripture lection in synagogue service. Lk.24.27, 44-47. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Many more texts could be said.
(2) The church’s mandate to disciple the nations. Mt.28.18-20. The evangelistic mandate requires teaching for the Great Commission.
(3) The Apostolic Model. The Gospel writers were writers and men of words and teaching. Paul wasted no time after his baptism “to prove” to Jews in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God and Christ. (Acts.2.39). Other texts throughout Acts reveals the same: synagogues, market-places, houses, the lecture hall at Tyrannus in Ephesus, Mars Hill at Athens and elsewhere. Paul’s epistle to the Romans is a study in theology. Ten times Paul asks, “What shall we then say?” Then he addresses the question with Scripture and deductions (Rom.3.5, 9; 4.1; 6.1, 15; 7.7; 8.31; 9.14, 30; 11.17). Reading, thinking, explaining, speaking, teaching and writing was the Apostolic Model, rooted in the Old Testament.
(4) The Activity of the New Testament Church. 2 Thes.2.15-- “the traditions.” Rom.6.17-- “the pattern of doctrine.” Jude 3-- “the faith once delivered to the saints.” I Tim.6.20-- “the deposit.” And the “faithful sayings” of Paul’s pastoral letters--1 Tim.1.15; 3.1; 4.7; 2 Tim.2.11-13; Tit.3.4-8. Also, the church of Jerusalem at work in an apostolic council, Acts 15. There was a substantial body of theology by the end of Paul's life. The first three Gospels were penned most likely before St. Paul died.
9. Theology, as Reymond notes, should been comprehensive (covering all loci), coherent, contextual (including modern issues), conversant (with exegesis, history), conversational (understandable “in” the church “for” the pew, not just academia), confessional (“confessing the faith” and teaching youths similarly), conservative (repulsing reductionisms), critical and correlative.
10. Specific affections and the state of the mind in doing theology: reverence, readiness to see God’s kingdom and the unity of the biblical covenants as an hermeneutical key, appreciation of theological heritage (Reformed for Reymond, but we would add Anglican and Lutheran), perseverance in the task, respect for others in history (confessions, writers), awe, soberness, joy, meekness, boldness in application, sincere concern for theology, evangelism, and catechesis, humility and attended by prayer.
11. Our concerns are: TBN, Pentecostalists, Emergents, Liberals, Arminians, Church Growthers, and Contemporary Evangelicals. Also, our concern should be ourselves and the true churches of Christ bearing the marks of true churches.
12. Theology is not doctrinal “doo doo” as Grouch, Sr., of TBN called it. It is necessary and required.
In closing, we pray:
“Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer, Second Sunday in Advent.
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