Thabiti Anyabwile on Why Theology Is Important

“You need theology to see this Jesus [revealed in the Bible].”

[@MatandEst]

Completely agree! we do NEED Theology :)

[@Ancient_Oracle]

Very well explained... Amen

[@jazzmonk5670]

Amen!

[@TimothyMoananu]

Wow!

[@oceanbabin]

Only 124 likes? I think I know a way to make this more popular.

[@AaronPLehmann]

More than 66, depending on whether you base your Cannon on Masoretic or Septuagint sources.

[@stonecoldt1972]

So you need Theology to read the bible. When did the prophets need theology when did the apostles need Theology. That is total bull cause it's the HOLY SPIRIT that opens your understanding when Christ is unveiling you.

[@stinkypete3137]

my friend i think you have a misunderstanding as to what theology really is

[@stonecoldt1972]

@@stinkypete3137 no i dont fam. The true misunderstanding is people attending these schools that don't know The FATHER or The true Jesus Christ of scriptures. The HOLY SPIRIT alone is the way to understanding scriptures. Jesus unveils your understanding. I didn't need a Theology to learn history or discerning the spiritual.

[@perrywharton7666]

Very confusing. If the Bible tells us about God, why do I need theology? Theology to me is trying to understand God from human understanding, and this is not perfect like the Bible. Also it is theology that has divided the body of Christ, the Church, into competing sects and denominations. Catholic theology vs protestant theology vs reformed theology. Baptist theology vs Methodist theology vs Presbyterian theology. All I need is the Bible and a concordance to look up every verse that has the word God, read those verses in context, write them down on a 3x5 index cards, sort them by similarities, then read each stack of similar cards to know all the Bible has to say about the different aspects of God. Theology cannot do this, only the Bible.

[@manbad-xc1os]

Perry you cannot be a good theologian without the Bible. Theology relies on the Bible, and thus every theologian must rely on the Bible. One thing we need to think about in regard to the divisions in the Christian church is that we are more united then we are divisive. We are divided when it comes to the small things, people tend to blow this out of proportion. We are united (assuming you old orthodox views) in the large things. Ultimately, theology should lead to doxology, that is worship, and how can you not worship and revere our most holy God?

[@stonecoldt1972]

Amen BROTHER Perry Wharton. This is what happens when man once again turns away from understanding Christ GOSPEL.

[@Louis2decaro]

@@stonecoldt1972 and @Perry Wharton Why is this such an issue? Theology is simply the ordering and reflection upon what the believer learns from the study of God's word. We are made to order what we observe and learn using language. We actually cannot help but do it because we are humans. Someone described theology as "faith seeking understanding." Theology doesn't divide the body of Christ, only (1) our sin divides and (2) our limitations and sincere differences of understanding. This is part of the human experience too. Differences of belief within the boundaries of biblical truth do not mean the body of Christ is divided if love is present. Perry, you think you can do better than theology by writing down verses and putting them in on cards, but this is itself an act of theology. You may think it's the Bible alone, but the moment you begin to order and interpret what you read, you're doing theology. Don't stumble over the human limitations or variations because you're not above criticism in what you do. How do you know someone wouldn't disagree with how you sort verses? What prior set of beliefs have shaped your thinking? You may not want to admit it, but you don't read the Bible in objective simplicity. You are employing what others have taught you and whatever particular approach you hold probably represents some theological camp or camps. Blessings

[@stonecoldt1972]

@@Louis2decaro the reason why many theologist stumble in the word of God is you think that God can't give more spiritual understanding to his own word. Unless you can point out in scriptures the need for it then it's just foolish philosophy. God NEVER needed man to give names and titles to represent his word. So it's very inaccurate to say we need theology point blank. Why do i need some so called scholars to give me their opinions on what they believe.

[@Louis2decaro]

T'oma Yahuda Hi. The reason many theologians stumble in the word of God is unbelief. Jesus told the Pharisees that if they believed in Moses, they’d believe in him too. Many professional theologians deny the power, authority, and inspiration of God’s word, so they rely on other ideologies instead. They turn theology into politics or another approach because they neither know God’s word nor its power, which is what Jesus told the Sadducees. I agree that a lot of theology is foolish philosophy, but I know the usefulness of theology taught by believers. Theology helps organize, clarify, and understand the text. A humble person can learn from what learned and studied people before us long ago read and understood. It’s true too that there are different approaches to theology of scripture. You don’t “need” academic theology, because every believer “does” theology just when they discuss scripture. You resent professional theologians and their opinions, but all you have is an opinion yourself. What makes your opinion so much better than mine or someone else’s? If you teach or preach or explain something from the Bible, you’re doing theology. If you use any words or terms to express your view of the text, you’re doing theology. The Holy Spirit illuminates the understanding of His word in the minds of His people, especially His teaching ministry to the body of Christ. This is the foundation, but study is vital, and I’d rather have a teacher who knows the text, context, interpretation, history, and has learned from the mistakes and strengths of the past than someone who just thinks he or she can learn everything by reading all by him/herself. Those kind of people usually don’t know what they don’t know. Blessings