How does Theology impact our daily life?

[ScottA]

With all that is written, and all that is exposed through life experiences, there hopefully comes a time or plateau of understanding that God's design for this world is to bring those who pick up on it all in spirit, to that higher place of God Himself. Which may sound like the high road, but as we know the low road or the simple path, is more likely to bring one to the intended finish and new beginning.

The danger seems to be that those same experiences cause some to become haughty or even bitter; or even more subtle, to become content with the world--or dare I say, the flesh, as if it were enough.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

With all that is written, and all that is exposed through life experiences, there hopefully comes a time or plateau of understanding that God's design for this world is to bring those who pick up on it all in spirit, to that higher place of God Himself. Which may sound like the high road, but as we know the low road or the simple path, is more likely to bring one to the intended finish and new beginning.

The danger seems to be that those same experiences cause some to become haughty or even bitter; or even more subtle, to become content with the world--or dare I say, the flesh, as if it were enough.

English phrasal verbs are one of the hardest things to learn for speakers of other languages. :)

My friend, I think I got the message from your post but I am not sure of the meaning of "pick up on it". I highlighted the words in red.

 

[Behold]

"Theology" creates the idea that its all about Religion. or "the study of God" and "God related".

But its actually any belief system..... because anything can become your God.

Money
Classic Cars
Collecting Antiques
Some false Religion.

So, whatever your personal God is....... you have a focus of faith on it, its your bliss, obsession.. .and that is a real Theology and discipleship.

Whatever matters most to you, is your religion, is your FAITH.... and you have a set of beliefs about it.

What God wants, requires, is that we Put that 1 Commandment in "first place" in our Hearts, as then everything that isn't of God, does not sit on the Throne of our Heart, that is only created for Jesus THE Lord, and Father God.

 

[Jay Ross]

My take is that whatever the tools God uses to make us know Him better, ranging from a dense book of Thomas Aquinas to a walk through the park, it is still the daily personal experience of God what matters.

You are partially right in that it is our daily experience of God that matters; however, a half hour daily experience of God does not count if for the other 23.5 hours you are not experiencing God within your life.

In Genesis 12:3 we have the "general translation bias" of this verse. The NKJV expresses it this way: -

"I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God's calling of Abraham in Genesis 12:1 basically states this:

Now the Lord had said to Abram:
"Walk away from: -
• your country,
• your family, and
• your father's house,
And walk towards/in the earth that I will show you." ]/i] (My paraphrasing/translation of this verse.)

The closest translation of Genesis 12:3 in my opinion is this: -

Young's Literal Translation
"And I bless those blessing thee, and him who is disesteeming thee I curse, and blessed in thee have been all families of the ground.'

After mediating on these verses my paraphrasing of Genesis 12:3 is: -

3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in/through you shall be blessed
All the families {of this world}, who inhabiting My fertile field/soil.(i) "

One could argue that what is being said here is that all of the peoples of the world that occupy God’s fertile field/soil will be blessed. The flip side of this covenant Promise is that all of the people who do not occupy God’s fertile field/soil will not be Blessed but rather will die the Second Death because they have chosen not to be in a continual intimate relationship with God.

God has allowed mankind to exercise his free will and is allowing mankind to chose whether or not he wants to be in an intimate relationship with Him.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Note i: -

The Hebrew Root of הָאֲדָמָֽה, H:0127, is adamah which has the meaning of soil, and the Hebrew Word hā·’ă·ḏā·māh is akin to the fertile field/face of the land/world.
הָאֲדָמָֽה is also found in Genesis 2:7 where it has the same meaning: -
Genesis 2:7: –– 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of His fertile soil/field and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Shalom

 

[ScottA]

English phrasal verbs are one of the hardest things to learn for speakers of other languages. :)

My friend, I think I got the message from your post but I am not sure of the meaning of "pick up on it". I highlighted the words in red.

To "perceive" it (God's spirit and activities).

 

[Matthias]

I wouldn’t be who I am, I wouldn’t do what I do, without it.

Would you?

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

View attachment 46955
I wouldn’t be who I am, I wouldn’t do what I do, without it.

Would you?

I wouldn't.
Which doesn't mean that all or even most of theological knowledge was key to be what I am or do what I do.


It would be very interesting to ask an Amazonic indian with no previous contact with any other group of humans to observe for one year the life of four men: a Jehovah Witness, a Mormon, a Catholic and a Baptist. Our Amazonic friend would make that observation in silence and without being noticed. After that year, we would ask him to guess what differences among these four persons were most likely the result from different beliefs about God.

Our Amazonic friend could come to funny conclusions like: The Jehovah Witness is single while the other 3 are married. So, it is likely that JW religion forbids him to marry. The Catholic is vegetarian while the other 3 are not. So, Catholic theology may see meat as a spiritual pollutant. The Baptist kissed passionately a lover several times during this year, while the other 3 kissed only their spouses. So, fidelity may not be part of Baptist god's laws. The Mormon went dancing many times while the other 3 did not. So, the Mormon may believe that his god enters his body and starts shaking his members rhythmically, and this is the way the Mormon comes to intimate communion with him.

 

[Matthias]

Servetus speaks from the ashes @Pancho Frijoles. Listen to his story about how theology impacted his daily life.

His Ashes Cry Out Against John Calvin | LearnTheology.com

Article By Dan Corner

learntheology.com

 

[Wrangler]

I open this thread to discuss how theology impacts our daily life

I love how your posts are so well thought out. There is a distinct academic grounding and intellect in your writings. Much appreciated.

 

[Wrangler]

I am inclined to believe that theology alone is of no benefit.

It is not theology that affects my daily life, it is my personal relationship with the Living God. Theology is meaningless without the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Theology affects everything that I do.

We certainly have posts from all over the map. How to make sense of it?

Theology in an academic sense, theoretical sense, is on par with any other academic field of study. Compare to cooking or astronomy or math. The benefit is derived from application.

I was passionately opposed to the donation of Pluto as a planet on theoretical grounds. Truly, it has no practical effect on our lives.

Most religions, theological schools of thoughts, have rituals that have the benefit of instilling discipline in the practitioner. One cannot be successful in any area of life without discipline. Therefore, in that sense, theology is very beneficial.

For those devoted to a particular theology, they’d argue passionately that their theology is full of benefits because it is “real” to them while denying any benefit to devotees of other theological schools of thought.

I tend to side with @Pearl’s sentiment. Experiencing the divine, having a supernatural experience, is incomparable to ANY mundane part of life. It’s like comparing the territory filled with life and natural resources to owning a map of the territory. One is literally life sustaining; the other is not.

 

[Matthias]

We certainly have posts from all over the map. How to make sense of it?

Theology in an academic sense, theoretical sense, is on par with any other academic field of study. Compare to cooking or astronomy or math. The benefit is derived from application.

I was passionately opposed to the donation of Pluto as a planet on theoretical grounds. Truly, it has no practical effect on our lives.

Most religions, theological schools of thoughts, have rituals that have the benefit of instilling discipline in the practitioner. One cannot be successful in any area of life without discipline. Therefore, in that sense, theology is very beneficial.

For those devoted to a particular theology, they’d argue passionately that their theology is full of benefits because it is “real” to them while denying any benefit to devotees of other theological schools of thought.

I tend to side with @Pearl’s sentiment. Experiencing the divine, having a supernatural experience, is incomparable to ANY mundane part of life. It’s like comparing the territory filled with life and natural resources to owning a map of the territory. One is literally life sustaining; the other is not.

Many members have chosen not to speak with me because of my theology. That’s impact.

Would you say that in regard to the Messiah’s own theology?

 

[Matthias]

View attachment 46955

For those who think that theology doesn’t matter, see the official statement of faith for Christianity Board.

For those who think theology doesn’t matter, see how members of the forum treat one another when the theologies don’t match.

 

[Matthias]

Having a supernatural experience isn’t reliable evidence of having experienced the one true God.

Even the demons know and play on that.

 

[Johann]

Having a supernatural experience isn’t reliable evidence of having experienced the one true God.

Even the demons know and play on that.

Well said, @Matthias. As it is written, "Test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Even our experiences must be examined in light of Scripture, for "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

[Johann]

For those who think that theology doesn’t matter, see the official statement of faith for Christianity Board.

For those who think theology doesn’t matter, see how members of the forum treat one another when the theologies don’t match.

Theology Matters
Importance of Sound Doctrine:

2 Timothy 4:2-3 (ESV):
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
This passage underscores the necessity of maintaining sound teaching and the challenges faced when people deviate from true doctrine.
Unity in Faith:

Ephesians 4:13-14 (ESV):
"Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
Paul emphasizes the need for unity in faith and knowledge to achieve spiritual maturity and stability.
Treating One Another with Love Despite Theological Differences
Love and Humility in Disagreements:

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV):
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Believers are called to handle disagreements with humility, gentleness, and love, striving for unity.
Avoiding Quarrels:

2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV):
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
The Lord’s servant is instructed to correct others gently and avoid quarrels, highlighting the approach to theological discussions.
Pursuing Peace:

Romans 14:19 (ESV):
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
This verse encourages believers to pursue actions that promote peace and edification, even amidst differing opinions.
Conclusion
Theology deeply influences how we understand and live out our faith, and it significantly affects our interactions within the Christian community. As such, it is vital to adhere to sound doctrine while treating each other with love and respect, reflecting the unity and peace that Christ desires for His Church.

In agreement with you here--of course, much easier said than done.

 

[Wrangler]

Many members have chosen not to speak with me because of my theology. That’s impact.

Thats the opposite of impactful. That’s offensive and egotistical not impactful.

Would you say that in regard to the Messiah’s own theology?

The Messiah’s own theology is divinely simple. Too simple for most people.

 

[Wrangler]

Having a supernatural experience isn’t reliable evidence of having experienced the one true God.

Even the demons know and play on that.

Woe be to who confuses evil for good.

By their fruit, you will know them. This supernatural experience drove me to Jesus. If it was a demon, it wasn’t a good one, as far as demons go.

 

[Matthias]

Thats the opposite of impactful. That’s offensive and egotistical not impactful.

I don’t view them that way.

The Messiah’s own theology is divinely simple. Too simple for most people.

Maybe that’s why many say that theology doesn’t matter.

 

[Matthias]

Woe be to who confuses evil for good.

By their fruit, you will know them.

Back to @Pancho Frijoles. I’m not buying into it. People often look good on the outside and are rotten on the inside (Matthew 23:27-28).

This supernatural experience drove me to Jesus. If it was a demon, it wasn’t a good one, as far as demons go.

I worked with a Mormon who argued that Mormonism is true and that I could prove it myself. Great. What is it that I needed to do to prove it? Simple: Read the Book of Mormon and wait for a knock on the back of my neck.

People are easily deceived by supernatural experiences.

 

[Johann]

I don’t view them that way.



Maybe that’s why many say that theology doesn’t matter.

Many are comfortable with the "red letters" but don't study the Pauline epistles @Matthias as many are standing BEFORE the Cross but not willing to go THROUGH the Cross to our risen Messiah.
J.