Theology & Doctrine, Forums, and Life

[JasonF]

I am wondering the difference between theology and doctrine?

How does theology, doctrine, affect our life?

Does the difference of salvation possibly being given before the foundation of the world, or upon faith, make a difference in how we live our lives? Does the difference between if repentance comes before faith or faith before repentance affect how we live our lives? There may be things I can't see, but those are two issues I have been made aware of, but I am not sure if the position one holds on it affects the way they live life? Are those theology?

Why does it matter to know the answer to those things?

Is this forum a good place to help me grow in God?

I am planning to take the advice given by multiples here and get a foundation in the Word under me. I want to read the Bible and maybe in 3/4 of a year to a year have a better foundation to possibly start looking into theology more.

Do you think it is still okay to read resources on prayer while getting a foundation, other things that are okay to read while building this foundation, or should I just focus on the Bible?

I think I have some foundation from the past, but I think I need to build it up more since I somehow put this all on pause as it were for around 10 years. Which I still don't understand how that can be.

Are there examples like biographies of people that had something similiar in their life? Getting saved and being really into God and the Bible, and then suddenly nothing for 10 years, and then back?

Thanks for any help.

 

[atpollard]

THEOLOGY:

Webster’s dictionary defines theology as “The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice. . . the science of Christian faith and life.” Saint Augustine in the fifth-century defined theology as “Rational discussion respecting the deity.” A. H. Strong, the great twentieth century theologian said that theology is “the Science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.” Charles Ryrie, the popular dispensationalist theologian, says theology is “thinking about God and expressing those thoughts in some way.” (Basic Theology [Wheaton, IL: 1986], 9). Millard Erickson, a modern Baptist theologian says that theology is simply “the study or science of God.” (Christian Theology [Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001], 22).

Most simply put, theology is the study of God. It comes from the word theos which is Greek for “God,” and -ology which is from the Greek word logos meaning “word.” Most literally then the word theology means “words about God” or “the study of God.” If one were to use the term generically, it functions much like “philosophy” or “worldview.” People often use the word this way in secular venues. Many times it is used very specifically, speaking only about God. This is called “theology proper.” But generally speaking theology is a belief system that is built upon intellectually and emotionally held commitments concerning God and man.
from What is Theology? | Bible.org​

DOCTRINE:

(Gk. didaskalia [didaskaliva]). Act of teaching or that which is taught. The use of the term in Scripture, however, is broader than a simple reference to information passed on from one person to another or from one generation to the next. Christianity is a religion founded on a message of good news rooted in the significance of the life of Jesus Christ. In Scripture, then, doctrine refers to the entire body of essential theological truths that define and describe that message ( 1 Tim 1:10 ; 4:16 ; 6:3 ; Titus 1:9 ). The message includes historical facts, such as those regarding the events of the life of Jesus Christ ( 1 Cor 11:23 ). But it is deeper than biographical facts alone. As J. Gresham Machen pointed out years ago, Jesus' death is an integral historical fact but it is not doctrine. Jesus' death for sins ( 1 Cor 15:3 ) is doctrine. Doctrine, then, is scriptural teaching on theological truths.

Doctrine is indispensable to Christianity. Christianity does not exist without it. The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the value and importance of sound doctrine, sound instruction ( 1 Tim 6:3 ), and a pattern of sound teaching ( 2 Tim 1:13-14 ). The apostles defended the faithful proclamation of the gospel ( Gal 1:8 ). They formulated Christian faith in doctrinal terms, then called for its preservation. They were adamant about the protection, appropriation, and propagation of doctrine because it contained the truth about Jesus Christ. Knowing the truth was and is the only way that a person can come to faith. So the apostles delivered a body of theological truth to the church ( 1 Cor 15:3 ). They encouraged believers to be faithful to that body of information they had heard and received in the beginning ( 1 John 2:7 1 John 2:24 1 John 2:26 ; 3:11 ), that "faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints'' (Jude 3). Believers, in general, were instructed to guard the faith, that is, to stand firm in sound doctrine ( 2 Tim 1:13-14 ). Pastors in particular were admonished to cleave to sound doctrine so that they could be good ministers of the gospel ( 1 Tim 4:6 ).

The use of the term "doctrine" in Scripture is important for at least three reasons. First, it affirms that the primitive church was confessional. The first generation of believers confessed apostolic teaching about the significance of the life of Christ. They delivered a body of information that included facts about Christ with interpretation of their importance. Second, the use of the term reflects development of thought in the primitive church. Didaskalia [didaskaliva] is used in the Pastorals with reference to the sum of teaching, especially of that which had come from the lips of the apostles. Doctrine plays a small role in Judaism and in the New Testament apart from the Pastoral Epistles, and yet is very important in the latter. By the time of the Pastorals the apostolic message had been transformed into traditional teaching. Third, it affirms the indispensable link between spirituality and doctrine. Christianity is a way of life founded on doctrine. Some disparage doctrine in favor of the spiritual life. Paul, however, taught that spiritual growth in Christ is dependent on faithfulness to sound doctrine, for its truth provides the means of growth ( Col 2:6 ). The apostle John developed three tests for discerning authentic spirituality: believing right doctrine ( 1 Jo 2:18-27 ), obedience to right doctrine (2:28-3:10), and giving expression to right doctrine with love (2:7-11). Faithful obedience and love, then, are not alternatives to sound doctrine. They are the fruit of right doctrine as it works itself out in the believer's character and relationships.
from Doctrine - Bible Meaning & Definition - Baker's Dictionary​

I will let YOU figure out whether either, both or neither are IMPORTANT / USEFUL for yourself.

 

[JonC]

Theology leads to doctrine (theology is the study, doctrine is the teachings).

 

[Scarlett O.]

I am planning to take the advice given by multiples here and get a foundation in the Word under me. I want to read the Bible and maybe in 3/4 of a year to a year have a better foundation to possibly start looking into theology more.

If you are serious about reading the Bible, you can do it in a year if you read four chapters a day. You could read 2 Old Testament and 2 New Testament.

Or 1 OT chapter, 1 psalm, 1 chapter of proverbs, and 1 NT. Just read 4 chapters a day. Some books you could read in one day's time as there are some with relatively few chapters.

Important!! If you get off schedule or something comes up and you miss a day - do not try to read 8 chapters the next day. And don't get concerned if you get behind. Just pick up when you can.

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Pray before you read, as you read, and after you read. Ask God for understanding. You WON'T understand is all so keep a notebook with questions and journal entries on what you've learned.

I've been reading, studying, and teaching for 40 years. Trust me, There are days you miss and passages you won't understand and God will show you what everything means in his timing.

 

[MrW]

JasonF, I suggest you read the New Testament only, numerous times, before reading other authors.

I read it seven times straight through when I was saved, and when I then read other books I could see if they had errors.

Then I started reading Old and New, but read the New at least twice as much, as it’s shorter, and it’s where we live.

I read every day, my “daily Bread”, spiritually speaking.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

@JasonF,
Here are some quotations from the New Testament concerning the Old.
Romans 15:4. 'For what ever things were written beforehand were written for our learning, that we, through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.'
1 Corinthians 10:11. 'Now all these things happened to them [the Israelites] as examples, and they were written for our admonition .....'
2 Timothy 3:16. 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.'
1 Peter 1:10-12. 'Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied to you of the grace that should come to you .......... To them it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us they were ministering .....'

The Old Testament was written for us, and you will not grow as a Christian unless you read both Old and New Testaments.

 

[Piper]

JasonF, I suggest you read the New Testament only, numerous times, before reading other authors.

I read it seven times straight through when I was saved, and when I then read other books I could see if they had errors.

Then I started reading Old and New, but read the New at least twice as much, as it’s shorter, and it’s where we live.

I read every day, my “daily Bread”, spiritually speaking.

Notice how he never answers our suggesions?

 

[JasonF]

What am I supposed to answer? what is proper forum etiquette I guess?

 

[Piper]

What am I supposed to answer? what is proper forum etiquette I guess?

Respond when you feel like you need to. Don't pay any attention to me.

 

[Marooncat79]

JasonF, I suggest you read the New Testament only, numerous times, before reading other authors.

I read it seven times straight through when I was saved, and when I then read other books I could see if they had errors.

Then I started reading Old and New, but read the New at least twice as much, as it’s shorter, and it’s where we live.

I read every day, my “daily Bread”, spiritually speaking.

When you read the OT a minimum of 3 times and the NT 5, you are ready to start really learning the Bible