Theology the Queen of the sciences

Nope

 

Agreed Brother, the confessions and the historic church creeds prove , the importance of theology.


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Theology is important, no doubt. But before I get into answering the op, I need to point out that you cannot read allot.

Allot is a verb, that basically means to give a portion, or an allotment. You can, however, read a lot.

With that out of the way, the op makes some claims that I believe cannot be backed up. The claim that even laymen read all the time until dark, with the insinuation that they read only theology books. This claim simply cannot be backed up.

Also, the claim that anyone who reads a lot should struggle with doctrine actually goes contrary to scripture. Those who read and study the scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit Will have truth revealed to them. And the Bible plainly states that God is not the author of confusion.

To continue, I do believe that theology is important. I do believe it is a science, by the fact that it is a study of something. However (and this is all opinion, I will readily admit) it falls under the category of theoretical sciences, rather than observable science. Traditional science has at its core the ability to be tested and proven. Theology lacks this inherent ability.

So, I liken theology to theoretical physics, which bases new findings off of old findings, and builds theories upon theories. It does not make theology any lesser of a science, but it is in a different class than say, chemistry, mathematics, and biology.

The issue with theology is that we have any number of people claiming to be experts, and then pontificating. And then not allowing other opposing viewpoints to factor into their theories, instead clinging to them as if they have sole ability to see the truth.

When discussing theology, it is important to understand that we don't know everything. I don't know everything, and neither does whoever is reading this. Personally, I recognize that there are many people on here who know a lot more about theology than I do. John of Japan is one. TCassidy is one as well, though many of my viewpoints do not line up with his.

With that in mind, I can "sit at the feet" of others and learn, even if we may disagree. For instance, if I want to know how the Greek reads, TCassidy can answer it for me. We may still then disagree what the author was intending, but I will then have a better understanding of what was said.

So yes. Theology is important. But well read does not equal well educated, or correct. The two should never be conflated. A person could read every book on theology there is, but not have the understanding to properly digest what they've read. On the other hand, a person could have only read the Bible, but with the guiding of the Holy Spirit have the understanding of a much more "well read" person.

Edited to fix autocorrect errors.

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Nothing to see here folks... Move along...



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Theology might be the queen, but application of that knowledge is KING.
Many are book smart, but life dumb!

How did you like the Bible?

 

Jon, agreed, diluted - seems a good word in addition to - distilled - in your sentence.

HankD

 

Okay I'm guilty, but some also since they have a solid firm foundation will go on a gleaning expedition adding thoughts from other theologians to what they already know... In the words of a preacher friend of mine... "WHEN IN DOUBT!... THROW THE COMMENTARY OUT"!... Brother Glen

 

So you went to a concert and won a cow in a raffle!... Isn't gambling looked down on in your church?... No need to explain the kids needed the milk!... Brother Glen

 

First things first, theology is not bible study. I have read lots of theology, but ultimately I would rather have a very small part of the bible instead of all my theology books. There is a high church crime against the bible of sending people to study the theologians endlessly rather than read the bible and figure it out themselves. I should know I used to be one of the high church types at heart.

 

That is a good point. I hold to your view of theology currently.

However, I am extra careful to not exalt men, who are really just teachers and preachers (senior pastors). To me, all theologians are just senior pastors, and they should be taken no more seriously than our sermon on Sunday compared to our own time with the bible.