He Finished Well: A Tribute to Mike Stohlmeyer
8 hours ago
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Reformed Theology vs. Conformed Theology
You may have heard of 'Reformed Theology'. If you are like I was at first, you are thinking it is nothing more than big words in big books written by big headed Bible scholars. Come to find out, that is not what it is at all. While there are certainly a number of books out there that are intimidating to a small mind like mine, that is not all it is. In fact, one reason some of these books are hard to understand is because they deal with issues and terms that many Christians have never dealt with, even though they are in the Bible.
I want to deal with what I think are the only two real fields of theology, 'reformed' and 'conformed'. I say this because of the definitions. If you look up 'reformed' and 'theology', you figure out that reformed theology is basically the removal of error in the study of God and His Word. It is an attempt to see what the Bible really says about anything and everything.
I want to avoid a debate between election and freewill salvation, because there is a bigger point to deal with.
It should be the desire of any true Christian to study God's Word wholeheartedly, removing all presuppositions, previous teachings ingrained in the mind, and opinions of respected pastors or even family members. The important question is 'what does God say?'
There are too many study resources out there to be uneducated about the Word of your Creator and Savior. This to me is a basic explanation of 'Reformed Theology'. Maybe not comprehensive, but a basic idea.
So, what is 'Conformed Theology'? The American Heritage Dictionary defines 'conform' as:
To correspond in form or character; be similar.
So, what I mean by conformed theology is a theology and a belief about God that simply coincides with what someone else has said without searching scripture to find the truth. A few warnings:
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 John 4:1
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
John 8:31-32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I caution you that these are actual scriptures pulled from the Word of God, they are not from a self help book.
My point is this: For too long, we sat in congregations across America listening to men we thought wise enough to be our one and only connection to the Almighty God. We have the Holy Spirit for crying out loud! Who on earth can be closer and more knowledgeable about God than Himself? Read the Bible and let the Spirit teach you. Let it convict you. Let it change you. Our service to God is too important to let it be manipulated by traditional thoughts and beliefs.
Some resources...
http://www.studylight.org/ NASB is default translation while almost all others are available. Easily search Greek with two clicks. An abundance of commentaries, dictionaries, historical writings, all at the click of a mouse. This is my favorite but don't click on the movieministry.com ad!
http://www.biblegateway.com/ another searchable online Bible with study helps.
http://www.bible-explorer.com/ Free bible download with a ton of free books such as commentaries, dictionaries, etc.
I want to deal with what I think are the only two real fields of theology, 'reformed' and 'conformed'. I say this because of the definitions. If you look up 'reformed' and 'theology', you figure out that reformed theology is basically the removal of error in the study of God and His Word. It is an attempt to see what the Bible really says about anything and everything.
I want to avoid a debate between election and freewill salvation, because there is a bigger point to deal with.
It should be the desire of any true Christian to study God's Word wholeheartedly, removing all presuppositions, previous teachings ingrained in the mind, and opinions of respected pastors or even family members. The important question is 'what does God say?'
There are too many study resources out there to be uneducated about the Word of your Creator and Savior. This to me is a basic explanation of 'Reformed Theology'. Maybe not comprehensive, but a basic idea.
So, what is 'Conformed Theology'? The American Heritage Dictionary defines 'conform' as:
To correspond in form or character; be similar.
So, what I mean by conformed theology is a theology and a belief about God that simply coincides with what someone else has said without searching scripture to find the truth. A few warnings:
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 John 4:1
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
John 8:31-32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I caution you that these are actual scriptures pulled from the Word of God, they are not from a self help book.
My point is this: For too long, we sat in congregations across America listening to men we thought wise enough to be our one and only connection to the Almighty God. We have the Holy Spirit for crying out loud! Who on earth can be closer and more knowledgeable about God than Himself? Read the Bible and let the Spirit teach you. Let it convict you. Let it change you. Our service to God is too important to let it be manipulated by traditional thoughts and beliefs.
Some resources...
http://www.studylight.org/ NASB is default translation while almost all others are available. Easily search Greek with two clicks. An abundance of commentaries, dictionaries, historical writings, all at the click of a mouse. This is my favorite but don't click on the movieministry.com ad!
http://www.biblegateway.com/ another searchable online Bible with study helps.
http://www.bible-explorer.com/ Free bible download with a ton of free books such as commentaries, dictionaries, etc.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Democratic Christianity
It’s election time and I’ve been thinking. I believe America has a big problem and it’s not in any potential candidate. Our problem is what I like to call our Democratic Christianity. We are a people that believe strongly in human rights, our rights, entitlement to whatever we choose. Even our religion.
Churches today (not church as in the body of Christ, but church as in a building where religious events and activities are held) have taken Christianity and turned it into a political spectacle. We’ve taken God and made Him president. Problem with that…He’s a King. God is not an elected official that answers to our concerns and demands. He is not dependent on checks and balances. He rules.
Preachers and Deacons have become congressmen that do nothing more than have meetings and cater to special interests (the big tithers), while the people suffer from an economy in recession in need of revival.
Repent and worship God. Quit worshiping yourselves, your buildings and ministries. Turn away from your religious Christianity and serve the one true living God.
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
To receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things,
And by Your will they were created
And have their being.” (NIV)
Churches today (not church as in the body of Christ, but church as in a building where religious events and activities are held) have taken Christianity and turned it into a political spectacle. We’ve taken God and made Him president. Problem with that…He’s a King. God is not an elected official that answers to our concerns and demands. He is not dependent on checks and balances. He rules.
Preachers and Deacons have become congressmen that do nothing more than have meetings and cater to special interests (the big tithers), while the people suffer from an economy in recession in need of revival.
Repent and worship God. Quit worshiping yourselves, your buildings and ministries. Turn away from your religious Christianity and serve the one true living God.
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
To receive glory and honor and power,
For You created all things,
And by Your will they were created
And have their being.” (NIV)
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