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| You are a Theologian if... |
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You are a theologian if you study God -- period. Now some dictionaries will add other stuff to that. For instance, www.yourdictionary.com describes theology as the study of religious doctrine, the Encarta dictionary describes it as the study of religion or religious training. However, Webster's gives an accurate definition: the study of God. That's exactly what the compound word means: theos = God, logos = word, thought, principle. That is theology proper, the study of God.
Some people think that theology is studying the meaning of words, but that is lexicography or linguistics. If we want to study God, we may look at the meaning of words, in order to better understand the language that God used or the vocabulary of people who experienced him historically, but if we only study the words themselves and not God, we are not theologians.
Some people think that theology is studying what Augustine, Thomas, Luther or Calvin said. If we want to study God, we may seek the counsel of others who have also studied God, but if we only study the people and not what they said about God, we are biographers and not theologians.
So, what am I saying? There are many, many things which can distract us from studying God. Archaeology, history, languages, personalities, branches of opinion, prophecies, miracles, phenomena, worship styles, liturgy, denominational distinctives, the teachings of men, and so on are not theology proper, but side issues. Theology proper is the study of God.
If you are studying God, getting to know him, finding out about his character, his wishes, his plans, and what HE thinks about things, then you are a theologian. Everything else is only a side issue. |
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| AMEN! "That I may know Him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering." Of course that is Christ, but my "theology says; "Jesus is God." So, yeah! Study Him and get to know the author of the book and not just the book! Excellent Post Grant! |
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Right on, my dear Auggie Theologian. Well said and right to the point. Pastor Aminata |
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Grant |
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July 18, 2008 at 8:12pm |
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| I agree Todd, Jesus is God. Thank you too dear pastor Aminata. |
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KEN |
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July 19, 2008 at 3:22am |
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Thank You Grant! i think Our Heavenly Father, The Lord God of Hosts really likes Theologians, too.
Mt 11:29 - "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;..."
2Ti 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Ho 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:..."
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Tom |
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July 19, 2008 at 10:58am |
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Wow,........I recieve that as a compliment Grant!
Never looked at it that way before.
Thanks for the blessing! |
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| Well, guess I am then. Interesting thoughts, Grant! |
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Grant |
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July 20, 2008 at 1:58am |
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| Great comments folks! One of the first lessons I learned when studying theology, was that every Christian is a theologian. The study of God is the pre-eminent topic in theology and is what theologians call theology proper. |
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| I was told by one of my professors that you would know you are a theologian if when you opened your Bible it fell open to Romans 5. |
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Grant |
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July 21, 2008 at 12:37am |
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| LOL. I suppose that means that is where you spent a lot of your study time. :) |
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