Theology: Modern Proverbs

Theology is not only about understanding the world; it is about mending the world.
- Miroslav Volf

Theology
Modern Proverbs

Feelings on theology range as broadly as do opinions within the study itself. From the cynical such as "One man's theology is another man's belly laugh" to the insightful, "The best theology is rather a divine life than a divine knowledge."

Spawning hundreds of denominations with various Christs and versions of the gospel, criticism seems warranted. Yet, a classic baby with the bathwater scenario, honestly seeking to systematically understand and draw near to God is simultaneously life's greatest privilege and responsibility."

But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin].

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 AMP

Theology
Modern Proverbs
by Robert R. Pennington

Anticipating the argument of the atheist God reveals Himself as I AM...

The greater the truth the greater the consequence of it's error. What is more destructive yet certain than Heresy?

I have transitioned from the study of God's word to its study of me.

Who can abide the Holiness of God outside His Love? Who can apprehend the Love of God outside His Holiness?

In the Bible, the word "Try" is as conspicuously absent as in regards to Holiness, as is the word Trinity in regards to Deity.

In regards to God, the question, “who can resist Him” must be qualified by, “for how long.”

Scripture speaks of so many things in so many ways to define and agree on what it really means on the themes and issues it covers might require an act of God.

If science handled hidden concepts and mysteries as has the Church, we'd be splitting firewood, rather than atoms.

Sir Isaac Newton's passion for and diligence in asking reasonable questions never reasonably answered previously made him the father of science. In modern theology there are none a hundred part the equal of such thinkers as Newton, Einstein or Oppenheimer.

From blind men observing an elephant we see clearly the importance of the big picture. To comprehend a single biblical text reading the whole Bible is a good start. This is the least one must do who would not miss the, “forest for the trees.”

The two most important yet neglected Books of the N.T. for our church age are John's Revelation, which declares our fate and Hebrews which explains why.

A conversation between 3 physicists on a train to see a play produced "M" theory's (Membrane theory) advancement of Parallel Universes colliding in the 11th dimension to create the Big Bang and hence all matter. A good example of the value of brain storming and free association by intelligent guess. How many scientific theories have arisen such and how few modern theological ones.

Honesty admits, in theology, we are all guessing, and rather poorly in the vast majority of cases. This does no violence to the Truth. It only threatens those of us who through various dishonesties have yet to perceive and experience it. Even the wise and well intentioned rarely understand "a Truth" extolled as "the Truth" obscures more than it reveals.

There are many truths that bare little resemblance to the Truth.

Paul passionately asserted the imminent return of Christ. It seems he was either gravely mistaken or demonstrating a mindset.

With so much at stake, first here and for eternity, that so much of practical Christianity is left up to individual supposition can be challenging to the point of madness. In my opinion this a chief reason little serious Christianity is practiced.

Pascal wrote that one who thinks deeply should go on speaking like a normal person. This is in harmony with the proverb "a fool speaks his whole mind." Like a sailboat caught in a storm, the modern theologian does well who has both keel and mast and better still when understanding the purpose of each.

Telling that in regards to the most important matter of theology, the existence of God notwithstanding, both the Western church and world agree. Rhetoric aside, most everyone practically believes what is is what God wills. Christians disingenuously claim they are justifying God while sinners seek simply to justify their sins. Regrettably for both, to libel God with the results of trillions of crimes against His laws makes fools of us and further impugns His character. But "who can resist Him" many will assert along with a plethora of half baked Biblical passages. Clearly the answer is none yet just as clearly all do! This contradiction is simply accounted for when noting the N.T. Greek words lumped into our single English word "will. Thelema, as used in the Lord's prayer, would be more aptly rendered, "desires" or "wishes" and leaves wiggle room for the acts of billions of beings in opposition to Him, first among the angelic, then mankind as well as demons. His wishes are not the same as His will, certainly not as irresistible as Christ's First and Second Advent.

The areas of Scripture that seem to make little sense suggest something may be missing or even amiss in our understanding. Generally these areas are marginalized, glossed over with half baked platitudes. Yet such gaps may hold critical information and deserve careful study by those most qualified and willing to do so. Gold and diamonds are rarely discovered simply lying on the ground. Treasure must be mined.

As with all communication, what the Scripture means is the reason for what it says. While simple interpretation is preferred, the Author's intent is often obscured by a variety of factors. Good rules of Biblical interpretation are necessary tools, particular the rules of context, unity and emphasis. Honesty, logic and common sense are equally indispensable.

What a wonderful and clear mirror the Word of God provides humanity and the Church. Yet how unfortunate doctrinal errors so easily and deeply distort our reflection. How wounding and deadly the cuts from its shards when broken or shattered.

Far from being an exercise in semantics, the fate of humanity pivots largely on this simple truth. Herein is the "opiate of the church." Truly justifying God would be admitting our light (we are the light of the world), is often darkness and our salt has largely lost its savor. The world, and too often the church with it, purposely walks and stumbles in darkness then increases the offense by blaming God. James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

We have the greater God but does He greatly have us?

So much Sovereignty, so much Responsibility.

Given modern levels of deception compounded by the willful ignorance and gullibility of Churchianity, we do well to practice discernment in all phases of our faith. Judging ourselves that we might not be judged, here and in eternity, should extend to matters of salvation, prayer, good deeds, sanctification, worship, doctrine, teaching and spiritual gifts.

You must ask hard questions to answer them.

A very likely and widely accepted reason for humanities lack of quantifiable relationship with God would be His transcendence. One aspect of this explanation could be delegated authority. A benevolent Creator might well entrust aspects of His care to beings and institutions for the welfare of all. Such a scenario would explain silence on His part having established society and the Church to be His hands extended. While this seems to be the case Biblically, Lucifer’s and Adam’s fall have practically negated many benefits we might have enjoyed. Our dilemma is further compounded by the attack of sin above, about and within on the soul, mind and body of us all.

"If I be lifted up I will draw all men to myself..." is a profundity on several levels, many of which those of us who insist on vaunting ourselves know far too little of.

To what Cause might we ascribe such an Effect? Some leading possibilities are:

The Purposes and/or Person of God
A result of the gift of Free Will
An Adversary
All of the above and more

What is the true nature of God? Matter? Energy? Thought? Everything?

Who could see God at any time? With what eyes could more than a fraction or representation of Omnity be glimpsed? What mind could fathom the depths of His thoughts? What tongue could explain His ways? "Only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father..." and someone else: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!... Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

What stumbled the Eastern Jewish Church? That their Messiah should come, Living, Discipling and Dying on a Gentile Cross as the Suffering Servant. What is stumbling the Western Gentile Church? That our Christ will come, Resurrecting, Judging and
Condemning from Heaven's Throne as the Conquering King.

Theologically, Biblical Prophets and Apostles were right about everything yet scientifically, if they held to the prevailing wisdom of their eras they were wrong about much. Conversely, scientifically we are right about much yet if we hold to the prevailing theology of our era I fear we err greatly.

Moses and Paul were willing to trade their souls for those of sinners. Today, many a Calvinist refuse to trade even their doctrine for passion over souls.

Are the Bible's promises "a given" for every believer? Is All the wealth of Christ's atonement and the Fullness of the HOLY Spirit experienced before the infant Christian has prayed his second prayer, comprehended another Bible verse or been further instructed? Is Christian discipleship an event, process or both? Aren't the myriad of Scripture's promises rather opportunities? Then how are they availed? By faith in the merits of Christ to be sure. Yet might we spell living faith, ""Obedience""? If so, then like the bounty of Eden, the Spirit's lushes fruit, indeed ripe for the picking, is reserved by those who Walk in Him and not the flesh. Who walk Above not Below the Law. Those filled with the Spirit, who daily set aside sin, self, Satan and the spirit of Antichrist, thus fulfilling, by a new nature, the 1456 flaming "ifs" guarding the harvest of Scripture's promises. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit... that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." Romans 8:1-9a

“...His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness.” How long will we choose a verse while disregarding the chapter? Read a chapter and neglect its book. Study a book and ignore the context of the whole of Scripture?

Though “All Creation declares the Glory of God,” hasn't Lucifer ImPRISMED Light (Truth) itself. What a Devilish feat of Reverse Engineering! How subtly, profoundly, relentlessly and freely are the Tares sown in societies, communities, homes, minds, hearts, souls... Without serious opposition by the Church and too often it's collaboration.

I Wonder if God Wonders.

Should Biblical Creationism, as usually discussed, prove historically accurate then both Science and Religion have been perpetrators as well as victims of conspiracies. The former from revelatory facts and the latter from science fiction.

Catholicism, citing historicity, makes the claim the Sacraments of Christ were delivered unto them . What is beyond dispute is that Salvation is of the Jews, to whom were entrusted the Oracles of God.

Considering the delicacy of existence as we know it some have noted the "Gentlemanliness" of God. In truth, given what must be the nature of His radiant Glory a transcendent humility might well be inferred. That every nook and cranny of "space" is not ablaze and a boil with flashes and thunders of the maelstrom of His majesty indeed tells a tale of omnipotent restraint.

One wonders, is the vast size and silence of space evidence that all the Universe taken together is only as a garment waiting to be changed. Though imminent in a Creation declaring His glory, how is it that the Almighty is hidden? Perhaps as in C. S. Lewis's "Great Divorce" as the vast reaches of hell were contained in less than a grain of sand, it is Creation, not God, who hides.

Ultra-dimensional existence, though infinite in fullness, might appear as void as empty space to mini-dimensional beings. This may explain the present nature of our Creation's co-habitation with its invisible Creator in whom we live move and have our being.

All the nations are but dust in the balance, and all people together as nothing. Who then can fault the reverent Jew for doubting the Omni Word of Yahweh would take flesh, dwell among them and suffer under Pontius Pilate for our sins? Having herd such Good News, who then can fault the Western Christian for doubting the Awesome Sacrifice of Yeshua could be eclipsed even by our sins. Still, infinitely understandable, both Jew and Christian have erred greatly.

What does it mean that the Suffering Servant spoiled Principalities and Powers through the Cross, the Conquering King making them a public spectacle, not In spite of the Darkness but By It! Little wonder devils tremble while angels desire to know more about this.

Beginning with the Biblical record rather than tradition, one finds nothing in either Testament elevating Mary to a co-redeemtress immaculately conceived. Four Gospel accounts record her with honor appropriate to her historical position, nothing more, while direct mention of her is entirely omitted in the remaining 22 NT Books and 43 of 44 in the (Protestant) OT.

Having discerned error in what we've been taught, we naturally take a firm stance in defense against it. The tricky part's keeping an open heart to others and other truth.

Half of mankind's afraid the Gospel's too good to be true while the rest doubt God by objecting His not doing enough.

Grossly limited as temporal 3 dimensional creatures, even the most scholarly Christian's perception of God lacks depth. Flippantly teaching God is this or that is infinitely more absurd than similarly attempting to define a man by his shadow.

Hell's foremost lie, "You shall be as God." Heaven's glorious truth, "Emmanuel, God with us!"

Contemporary techno-wise disciples often overlook a key to Christianity apparent to their contemplative counterparts throughout the ages, namely Patience. Given the ease and speed of speech via cellular, Travel by car and plane and thought by radio, TV and computer, today's would be devote to Christ devotes precious little time acquiring the virtue of silent prayer. Yet who among us hasn't discovered that the best 'downloads' require time and expertise to receive, unzip and execute.

The method of some archaeologists projecting Neanderthals from bits of skull is similar to the tenants of much modern theology. Interpreting the Scriptures in this method has produced heresies by the handfuls, ruining the church. Let's be honest that in ignorance we reconstruct whole skulls from fragments, adding soft features of Christ's face, even superimposing expressions and adding tonal qualities to favored scriptures., In doing so with only a skeletal knowledge, or acknowledgment, of God's Word leaves us guessing at best, or worse, idolators.

Religious traditions of men hid Christ from the Jews, even to this day, though the Law and the Prophets spoke both of and to Him (Mount of Transfiguration). The same may be said of Christianity, though admittedly more subtly.

What differentiates between Karma and the Law of Sowing and Reaping? Many Christians answer Grace, it having set us free from reaping what we sow. Yet many passages of the NT disagree (i.e. Matt 5:17 -20, Heb 12:15-18). Might it be Christ's blood purchases for us, rather than lawlessness, the glorious gift of restitution in the face of many failures? This Freedom to forgive failures, ours and others, and the Spirit's power not to repeat them, may be essential to produce the perfect hearts God demands.

The most theologically correct six words I know, ""You, You Are, You Are God."

Do we heal the wounds of God's people slightly because we handle God's Word in a similar manner? If we study the OT at all don't we hunt and peck through the Law and the Prophets for blessings while ignoring Moses and Elijah's life and ministry as well as Ezekiel and Jeremiah's warnings and tears?

In martyrdom, one follows Christ in Justifying the Goodness of God while enduring the painful loss of everything, directly in opposition to Lucifer's Accusing the Justice of God while enjoying all the pleasures of paradise.

Must God's hesitancy to display his awesome power translate into anemia, apathy or absenteeism? Might the Glories of the Multi Universe, His Sovereignty in the Heavens, His Sacrificial Salvation, as well as His fearful Promises of Tribulation, Judgment and Redemption of the meek and the Earth reveal Omniscient Forbearance and Omnipotent Restraint?

A massive volume of suffering goes unresolved in this life. Additionally we are warned the vast majority have, are and will choose damnation's broad path leading to eternal destruction. These two facts alone make it hard to see how, "He makes all things beautiful in its time" without radically redefining the words "all" and/or "beautiful."

On a quiet evening prayer walk in January 2007 it seemed God was interested in a summation of my thoughts of Him thus far, given over a quarter century of pursuit through study and service. All things taken together, scores of varied indicators, from the kindest and severe sovereignty to a most gracious and astonishing limited free will bestowed on his subjects (friends and enemies alike) I hesitantly offered the following. You are the consummate terrible good. In a word, AWE-FULL (in all its possible renderings, meanings and nuances).

By definition God's existence and nature are immutable. The same, "yesterday, today and forever" suggests something similar as to the basis of His interaction with humanity, Churchianity and His Church. Unlike our individual or corporate experiences and circumstances, which vary vastly, He "changes not." Yet without experiencing that which surpasses knowledge our image of Him is shaped by the manner of our lives as much or more than doctrine. Alienated from the glory of God and the experience of the prophets and apostles most, in even excellent circumstances, live lives of quiet Christian desperation while the desperation of those suffering great trial or persecution is more apparent.

Like modern GPS, God's Positioning Service offers not only life maps (the Scripture) but real time corporate and individual positioning. That is unless we are unable or unwilling to acquire satellite triangulation of the Holy Spirit in which case we are left either lost or largely guessing.

Sadly, even the Bible's greatest themes often go overlooked, misunderstood or disregarded by even the best theological minds. The 1st century Sadducees created a cleaver trap for Christ when questioning Him concerning the resurrection of the dead. Notice Jesus' reply hangs on the minutia of "verb tense" of a single word in a single phrase as if such were completely sufficient to settle the question. Here are two important lessons for 21st century Churchianity, full of excuses why it fails to fully believe in and defend the sanctity of human life among our pre-born. First, it only takes a single word from God to command understanding. Second, beware lest you fail to see the forest for the trees.

A satisfactory answer to the question of predestination is problematic on several levels particularly since Jesus' rebuke of Nicodemus concerning understanding heavenly things holds as true or truer today. Yet in light global suffering and eternal judgement. It seems the Tri-Omni God does far less than He might about the former and may do far more than we should like about the latter.

God's declaration of love for Jacob and hatred for Esau, prior to any of their deeds, suggests God's emotions transcend time. On the most basic level, predestination need not enter into this equation. Simple foreknowledge would account for as much.

Romans 8 tells us that those God foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Furthermore these were called, justified and glorified (all in the past tense). Simple reasoning would suggest Omniscience would foreknow all yet it seems precious few on earth have experienced a fraction of the above.

The faith of many is so fragile it must be hidden behind absolutes even when these are inconsistent or incompatible with much of special and/or general revelation.

The concept of religion as the opiate of the people is either awfully insightful or diabolical. Without Christ as God Christianity would prove the most terrible hallucinogenic. This is why the Apostle Paul, a "walking scar" explains, "if Christ be not risen we are of all men are most miserable." Tellingly Churchianity would have little occasion to notice.

Churchianity often extols God's sovereignty as if were an occasion for rejoicing. Yet His sovereign decree is that all of creation will be rolled up like a scroll with the very elements melting with a fervent heat. And even more, that billions of sinning souls will soon die, eternally experiencing the second death in the lake of fire, the smoke of which ascends before God's throne forever and ever.

It's been noted that God's sovereignty set an open door before the Philadelphian church. Interestingly God said He did so BECAUSE of the deeds of the Philadelphians.

Today the notion of Godly fear is treated at best with "lip service" and at worst as anathema to Christianity's idol of unconditional love. Sounds nice but doesn't such "bible study" do violence to the hundreds of Old and New Testament scriptures extolling it's virtue?

It's only rarely acknowledged that scripture, like a piano, has "black keys" as well as white. Almost universally misunderstood is the fact that only those appropriately moved by the black may hope in the white.

The journey of approaching God begins by wisely acknowledging the need to do so. Scripture explains the beginning of such wisdom is the fear of God. Scripture also declares that perfect love casts out fear. Though fear, like any emotion, may take many forms it is possible to imagine a scenario where, like a booster rocket, fear is the initial launch vehicle. Thrusting through earthly atmosphere towards heaven, once gravity has been overcome fear's payload is depleted and its function jettisoned. Yet imagine how short lived and disastrous the lift off without any or enough of the liquid hydrogen of Godly fear. Or imagine the explosion of these giant tanks rupturing mid flight from human error or sabotage.

Questions concerning original sin, particularly the Luciferian rebellion, are hardly clearly and exhaustively dealt with in scripture. Even so, I am persuaded biblical authors understood far more about this and other heavenly realities than they seem to be saying. Jesus to Nicodemus, "if I tell you earthly things and you don't believe how can I tell you heavenly things." Also 1 Corinthians 2:6.

Given modern levels of deception compounded by the willful ignorance and gullibility of Churchianity, we do well to practice discernment in all phases of our faith. Judging ourselves that we might not be judged, here and in eternity, should extend to matters of salvation, prayer, good deeds, sanctification, worship, doctrine, teaching and spiritual gifts.

You must ask hard questions to answer them.

A very likely and widely accepted reason for humanities lack of quantifiable relationship with God would be His transcendence. One aspect of this explanation could be delegated authority. A benevolent Creator might well entrust aspects of His care to beings and institutions for the welfare of all. Such a scenario would explain silence on His part having established society and the Church to be His hands extended. While this seems to be the case Biblically, Lucifer’s and Adam’s fall have practically negated many benefits we might have enjoyed. Our dilemma is further compounded by the attack of sin above, about and within on the soul, mind and body of us all.

“We” not “me.” See the Lords prayer.

Indifference, not love, accepts the unacceptable.

Before automatically accepting Churchianity's untenuous position that limited human free will limits Omnity consider how many egregious doctrinal errors modern Christianity's made on even the basic tenants of scripture.

How hot is Hell? What of the Lake of Fire? Which is their hottest flame, Divine judgement or human regret over the lack of it.

Unfortunately scripture is not written expositorally by topic. Even when rearranging verses by subject matter the Bible's handling of even it's most important tenants remain ambiguous. From details on the nature of the Trinity and ramifications of Lucifer's original sin and heaven's angelic rebellion to an exhaustive explanation of salvation and how to experiencing the miraculous, scripture's historic stylizing often leave much to be desired. Given the incalculable options and resources at Omnity's disposal, it's telling God choses to provide enough exposition to make room for the genuine while being vague enough to allow for the counterfeit. Perhaps one of many aspects of the "Agreement" as suggested by "Eternity the Wager."

Why does Jesus say "Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." One reason is the impoverished, having none from whom to curry favor, can afford to be honest.

Interestingly, many emphasizing the Sovernty of God to the point of eclipsing the role of men and angels agree that God wants authentic and effective revival more than the most ardent intercessors. These are often speechless, getting a funny look on their faces when asked a simple question: Then who's frustrating God's will..."

Christianity is the apex of all governance and economy. What more glorious Dictator than Omnity and finer Representative for a republic than Emanuel God with us? Isn't Christ's command and example of loving one's neighbor as yourself the ultimate form of socialism, yet what's more capitalistic than a google fold eternal return on a temporal investment even if the portfolio must fully mature?

Other Modern Proverb topics include:

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