Why the disappearance of theology from the church?

[Tom Butler]

Okay. back to the OP question:

It's hard to make a blanket statement regarding theology in "the church."

That's because there are still many churches where theology is taught and preached. One of them is the church I serve.

That said, I do think it's a good thing to re-visit theological topics periodically, either in sermons or Bible study classes.

 

[Revmitchell]

Anytime the word of God is being preached from the pulpit there is theology in the church. What churches lack more than theology is discipleship. That occurs beyond the pulpit. Far too often we have traded theology for life's little lessons.


Instead of focusing on how we can live better, Christian or otherwise, we need to focus on knowing God better and a better walk in Christ will come out of that. If we put the other first we will miss the latter.

 

[annsni]

Even with theology taught, sometimes people just don't grasp it. I see people all the time who are under really good solid teaching who still buy into some of the other garbage that is out there and they just haven't connected the two together. Why? I have no clue.

 

[Revmitchell]

Even with theology taught, sometimes people just don't grasp it. I see people all the time who are under really good solid teaching who still buy into some of the other garbage that is out there and they just haven't connected the two together. Why? I have no clue.

There are always going to be people who hold on to what they want to believe just because if fills the desire of their heart. I have folks here who listen to Joyce Meyer and hang on to every word whathisface says about the blood moons. Some in my church even watch Otseen and that is likely not going to change.

 

[JonC]

There are always going to be people who hold on to what they want to believe just because if fills the desire of their heart. I have folks here who listen to Joyce Meyer and hang on to every word whathisface says about the blood moons. Some in my church even watch Otseen and that is likely not going to change.

John Hagee, I take it. I've also noticed the same thing. It seems that given two things that are in opposition...for example, biblical doctrine vs. Hagee, Myers, & Osteen...it'd be difficult to hang on to both.

 

[JamesL]

Rev, the thread topic is not "how threads wander"

Keep on topic, Rev, or don't post

 

[annsni]

There are always going to be people who hold on to what they want to believe just because if fills the desire of their heart. I have folks here who listen to Joyce Meyer and hang on to every word whathisface says about the blood moons. Some in my church even watch Otseen and that is likely not going to change.

It really makes me twitch!! Hubby has addressed some of these teachers and books and things recently and we've had people come and say "I never realized!" UGH!!! Discernment people! Pray for discernment!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It really makes me twitch!! Hubby has addressed some of these teachers and books and things recently and we've had people come and say "I never realized!" UGH!!! Discernment people! Pray for discernment!

Pray that the HS provide that discernment.

 

[Revmitchell]

It really makes me twitch!! Hubby has addressed some of these teachers and books and things recently and we've had people come and say "I never realized!" UGH!!! Discernment people! Pray for discernment!

The thing is discernment cannot come without the word of God. Jesus said to His disciples:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Discernment does not just fall out of heaven it comes from being a student of the word and relying on the HG to lead through it. (I know you know this)


Our people are not really students of the word and they are not really spending time in prayer.

The church I am at is the epitome of all things wrong in churches. Literally they fight and accuse, no one shows up for prayer meetings, they would rather the few who could and would come not be able to if it means changing the time of when the meeting is started. We have had a treasurer who embezzled money and those who are mad it was exposed. As a result they have worked behind the scenes to find reason to accuse me.

Not one deacon (or anyone else) to come pray

Not one church member who can give a biblical account of what the pastors role is.

Not one single person to do any of it.Nothing.

This church was established in 1931 and most folks here have gone here their entire lives.

They want to be fed politics, osteen feel good sermons, and hyper focus on things like blood moons. They have no heart and no interest in growing in the wisdom of God and even knowing Him at all. No interest whatsoever. None.

 

[RLBosley]

The thing is discernment cannot come without the word of God. Jesus said to His disciples:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Discernment does not just fall out of heaven it comes from being a student of the word and relying on the HG to lead through it. (I know you know this)


Our people are not really students of the word and they are not really spending time in prayer.

The church I am at is the epitome of all things wrong in churches. Literally they fight and accuse, no one shows up for prayer meetings, they would rather the few who could and would come not be able to if it means changing the time of when the meeting is started. We have had a treasurer who embezzled money and those who are mad it was exposed. As a result they have worked behind the scenes to find reason to accuse me.

Not one deacon (or anyone else) to come pray

Not one church member who can give a biblical account of what the pastors role is.

Not one single person to do any of it.Nothing.

This church was established in 1931 and most folks here have gone here their entire lives.

They want to be fed politics, osteen feel good sermons, and hyper focus on things like blood moons. They have no heart and no interest in growing in the wisdom of God and even knowing Him at all. No interest whatsoever. None.

Wow. You pretty much just described my church, though mine is about 20 years younger. There is a handful of people making effort to turn the church around - mostly the new pastors, myself, one deacon in particular and a couple others. The rest are clueless or content in their lukewarmness.

 

[Revmitchell]

Wow. You pretty much just described my church, though mine is about 20 years younger. There is a handful of people making effort to turn the church around - mostly the new pastors, myself, one deacon in particular and a couple others. The rest are clueless or content in their lukewarmness.

Well I am it here. Not even one single deacon.

 

[RLBosley]

Well I am it here. Not even one single deacon.

:tear: You will be in my prayers.

How large is the church?

 

[Revmitchell]

:tear: You will be in my prayers.

How large is the church?

It varies about 40-50

 

[Getting it Right]

Our SB church had a church supper. Prior to it several groups of persons were asked, privately, to determine who in the fellowship had the most unusual calling. Each group then presented its findings, and finally, voted privately on who was the most "unusual."

I got 100% of the final, private vote, and then then after the supper the MC introduced me as a "psychiatrist." I got a standing ovation along with huge smiles from everyone -- I had never discussed my education with anyone in the church. It was a "revelation" for them.

I then took the microphone to clarify that I was, in fact, not a psychiatrist (which requires an M.D.), but a psychologist. I then added that some of those present needed to drop by my office.

Smiles turned to frowns, backs were turned on me, and no one wanted to talk to me the rest of the evening.

"Typical Baptist," I told my wife. Where was the "Spiritual" in the entire evening? Applaud psychiatry? How could psychiatry be a "calling?" Where was the Christian insight into a "calling?" Evaluate my comment negatively? What about each of us occupied by the Holy Spirit, equipped with a Spiritual Nature? Where did "it" go as smiles vanished, backs were turned, and personal contact ended?

:love2: .......and I love them all.

 

[blackbird]

I then took the microphone to clarify that I was, in fact, not a psychiatrist (which requires an M.D.), but a psychologist. I then added that some of those present needed to drop by my office.

Smiles turned to frowns, backs were turned on me, and no one wanted to talk to me the rest of the evening.

Well-----if you blindfold me---I wouldn't be able to tell which one of you is the psychiatrist and which one of you is the psychologist!!!:laugh::laugh:

Of course, my alter ego(see screen name above) would challenge you as to which one of us is due a visit to the funny farm!!!

The smiles turning to frowns??? Probably because they now know they're running the risk of you recognizing them and then "blabbin'" on um!!

Don't sweat the frowns and the turned backs and no one talking to you----I'm a Southern Baptist preacher and I've "been there, done that"---and have T-Shirts to sell as proof!!

God bless!!

David