Since I have been here in Geneva I have been involved in, been around, eaves dropped in on, read up on and searched out a lot of things on Theology. Ok...that list makes me sound exhaustive...as if I should be an expert now....NO!!!!! Just keep reading!
I have found two good definitions of Theology(or at least ones I think are fitting).
1. The field of study and analysis that treats of God and of God's attributes and relations to the universe; study of divine things or religious truth; divinity.
2. The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.
Tonight I was reading an excerpt from "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. I found a great truth that is being outplayed in my life as I am working in the Lake Geneva Region. Below is the excerpt:
"Intimate Theology:
"Do you believe this?" (John 11:26)
Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But- she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha's theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into personal inheritance- "Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ..." (11:27).
Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you- "Do you believe this?" Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come like Martha, to a crossroads of over whelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.
To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.
Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.
For me, my time here is allowing for a wonderful amount of cirumstances where the theology of God is becoming a very intimate personal belief as Oswald would call it. He goes on to say that the intimate personal belief is saying that I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone. I think that statement goes well with my detox post. I am being filtered so I can be more of Him and less of me.
I am studying through Psalms right now. I am in the first part of the book (chapters 1-41). Many of these chapters have a purpose to show the theology of God. I have been keeping track of what the Bible says God is. Take a look:-) These qualities give me comfort and hope!
* protector (a shield) *Glory (he bestows it) *Sustainer *Deliverer *Sacrificial *Accepting *Just *Merciful *Majestic *Eternal *Judging *Righteous *Governor *A Stronghold *All knowing *Helper *Examiner *Flawless *Unfailing Love *Savior *Strength *Rock and the list could keep going!!!!! Check out the beginning of Psalms.
No comments:
Post a Comment