Bible Study vs Theology

Thanks for posting. Good clarification.

It would seem that most of the time a discussion would focus on one or the other. But: Scripture is often quoted to support doctrine. In many discussions the lines are blurred.

Blessings.

Angelina said:

As our forum continues to grow, we want members to understand the purpose of our different study areas. A question has come up regarding the difference between Bible study and theology.

The Bible study forum focuses on examining Scripture: its context, meaning, language, audience, and what the passage itself is communicating.

Theology forums focus on bringing together the teachings of Scripture to understand doctrines, beliefs, and how different passages relate to one another.

How do you understand the difference between Bible Study and Theology?

Do you see them as separate areas of study or as two areas that work together? How can we best recognize when a discussion belongs in one area rather than the other?

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I see them as working together. When someone tries to explain their doctrine without understanding the context and culture etc of the verses, we end up with all sorts of nonsense. It's a huge problem.- I call it cherry picking. We see it all day long even by well meaning believers.

Theology IS Bible study.
And Bible study IS theology.
I've never known them to be seperate from one another. 46 years walking with Christ by His words (including Bible college) and never even so much as heard someone say the two are different.

Angelina said:

As our forum continues to grow, we want members to understand the purpose of our different study areas. A question has come up regarding the difference between Bible study and theology.

The Bible study forum focuses on examining Scripture: its context, meaning, language, audience, and what the passage itself is communicating.

Theology forums focus on bringing together the teachings of Scripture to understand doctrines, beliefs, and how different passages relate to one another.

How do you understand the difference between Bible Study and Theology?

Do you see them as separate areas of study or as two areas that work together? How can we best recognize when a discussion belongs in one area rather than the other?

Click to expand...

Bible Study is where we learn the scriptures by spiritual discernment.

Theology Study, is the study of someone's teaching of the scriptures.

For example......"what the Catholics teach" is THEIR Theology.

What "Calvinists teach" is John Calvin's invention.

or What the Baptists Teach, or the Assembly of God, or the Church of Christ, or the Charismatics, or the Lutherans.

In other words.......someone created a THEOLOGY......that is man made, and this was adopted by people, and it became a movement, a church, and eventually a denomination, and most Christian have joined and left at least one.

I teach that its good to join a bible believing Church.....not because its important that you belong to some denomination.....but because it'll do you good and your family good to find this type of church and be a part of it.

So,. How is "Paul's Theology"......or "Paul's Doctrine" or......"Pauline Theology".......different than any other ??????????
Its because , according to the New Testament, Paul was chosen personally by Jesus Himself...to give to the body of Christ...= NT Church Doctrine...
Also, Paul does not try create a denomination with His.....He only creates : "as many as be perfect",... if you learn his doctrine.

Most Christians live their entire Christian life under the theology of some other man or woman, and if you asked them...>"What is Paul's Doctrine"......they would stare at you, with all the lights turned off in their head, as they mumble......."what is that".

See, the fact is..Jesus gave us PAUL and the Holy Spirit and the Bible........as our "learn this".
Paul is our Teacher, and the Holy Spirit is the REVEALER, and the Bible is the Truth, but it ALL has to be REVEALED to you.
Paul gives us all the church doctrine, and the Holy Spirit reveals it to us when we "Study (THE BIBLE), to show ourselves approved unto God"........Paul teaches.

Angelina said:

As our forum continues to grow, we want members to understand the purpose of our different study areas. A question has come up regarding the difference between Bible study and theology.

The Bible study forum focuses on examining Scripture: its context, meaning, language, audience, and what the passage itself is communicating.

Theology forums focus on bringing together the teachings of Scripture to understand doctrines, beliefs, and how different passages relate to one another.

How do you understand the difference between Bible Study and Theology?

Do you see them as separate areas of study or as two areas that work together? How can we best recognize when a discussion belongs in one area rather than the other?

Click to expand...

Thank you!

I consider "Bible Study" to be an examination, but "Theology" to be a belief or teaching of those studies. The difference I see as interpretation, which can vary depending on the approach or priority.

I consider all scripture to be a message from God intended for publication, even and especially those passages that can be looked at as merely being--well, anything that would put limits on God or quench the Spirit...for whatever reason. People, we, us, are prone to see things from out own perspective--which of course God has allowed for--but also that we tend to organize according to our own needs for understanding, which can mean leaning on our own understanding with the best of intentions, while pigeonholing passages in categories God perhaps ultimately never intended. A good example, would be categorizing a passage as only historical--when God may very well have caused history to occur just so--not for the historic or local or traditional reasons we might see them as--but as part of the Light upon a hill in the greater scheme of things that should rather be under His control alone.

Angelina said:

For the purpose of organizing our forum, what distinction should we make between these two sections, though?

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The titles of these two areas have always seemed to be self-explanatory. If you think there is confusion, there have been several good definitions in this thread that you could add.

Thank you, and
Blessings.

Angelina said:

For the purpose of organizing our forum, what distinction should we make between these two sections, though?

Click to expand...

IMHO:
Since there is no difference between Theology and Bible Study, there should be only one.
Theology = study of God by definition.
Bible = God's revelation of Himself.
Therefore when studying the Bible, you ARE studying God which by definition is Theology.
See? It is circular because there is no difference.