Theology and Theologians take quite a bit of stick from many contemporary bible believing Christians. The following quote sums up the attitude of many
‘theologians are people who spend all their time trying to answer questions that no one else is asking’.
In other words theology is not relevant, its impractical and has nothing concrete to say to us. While this might be the trend and it me be true that the majority of people are not asking the questions that the theologians are asking, this does not prove that the questions being asked are not relevant. Infact it is probably more a symptom of todays pragmatic and consummer orientated culture. Its all about me, I want things now and if it works it must be right!

Pragmatism is a curse. Those who respond to theory and theology with the words ‘oh I’m more of a practical person’ are short sighted. the have failed to realise that what we do is a byproduct of what we believe and think. The pragmatist often holds a belief uncritically and unawares! To think that we can be Christians and avoid theology is foolishness. ‘Every time we mention God we become theologians, and the only question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones.’

The following quote by Packer is worth reflecting upon.

“Christian history has seen many movements of experience-orientated reaction against theology’s supposedly barren intellectualism. These movements have thought they could get on without serious theological study, and have discouraged their adherents from engaging in it. In the short term, while living on theological capital brought in from outside by their founders, they have often chaneled spiritual life in an impressive way, but with the passage of time they have again and again lapsed into old errors and forms of imbalance and stuntedness which, for lack of theological resources, they are unable effectivly to correct, and which prompt the rest of the church to stand back from them.”

J.I. Packer.

There is a danger that many of today’s modern church movements and contemporary Christian are building on sand. They have as Packer said been built by founders who have used ‘borrowed capital’. They are unaware that their own foundation is the benefit of the work of the church fathers and their follwers are instead being fed on theological MacDonalds, Pot noodles and microwave meals! When the stroms of persecution blow the foundations will be exposed for what they are; shallow and without substance.

May God raise up builders who are planted on the Foundation of Christ, build the House using the materials of Holy Scripture and furnish the house with the Glory and presence of the Spirit of the living God inorder that the church may be the ‘pillar and ground of truth’ once again.

Originally posted on Bebo

http://revivalfire-johnsblog.blogspot.com/