Arthur Owiti | June 19, 2009
Does one need a Masters or PhD in theology to be a great man of faith, qualified to be a minister of God? Whereas studying is a very useful skill for a Christian, head knowledge should not be the basis of one’s faith. Today we have numerous bible schools, theological colleges and correspondence, devotionals. These things teach people many theological issues and viewpoints.
Sadly these have led to the replacing of faith with theology. Hence many study theology to the highest levels to prove their worth in the things of God; to prove their faith in God. Right division of the word of God, Faith in Jesus and guidance of the Holy Spirit are cast aside.
Theology is man’s attempt to be the source of all the answers about everything divine. It is an attempt to be all knowing as God. Being men, we are unable to have all the answers to all divine questions .Thus we need not to impose ourselves to be the final authority on any spiritual matter, but know and point to the true final authority, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God .We cannot please God with our head knowledge but with our faith in him which is based on his word and not head knowledge, ideas or feelings.
We are to have FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST to understand and have knowledge of God and his mysteries and his counsel. Know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. Having knowledge of theological viewpoints and jargon is NOT evidence of faith in Jesus. Nor is it direct qualification to be a minister of God. FAITH comes by hearing the word of God, NOT the words/ideas of men about God (THEOLOGY)
Unbelief can plague one who has head knowledge of the scriptures.
When Jesus went to raise Lazarus, Martha had unbelief of a present resurrection of Lazarus despite her said knowledge of Jesus as the Christ. The Pharisees and Scribes were the authorities when it came to scripture but could not discern that Jesus was the Christ! Their knowledge ensnared them, not because the knowledge was wrong, but because they used their knowledge to gain praise, power and prosperity instead of faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. In the end they fell into ignorance, vain divisions, arguments and disobedience to God.
This unbelief is present with many in Christendom. Some have discarded the doctrine of Christ to teach popular, man pleasing doctrines in bible schools .This is done by applying the Old Testament wrongly or crafting new teachings to suit their own lusts for wealth fame and power. Other scholars, after gaining world ideas of life mix psychology with scriptures to come up with explanations for things they do not understand .These things defiles one faith as one focuses on what man says and not what Jesus says in his word, hence creating false faith which leads to hell and destruction.
Theology fails because it is inspired by theories and ideas of men instead of the Holy Spirit who is the spirit of the truth. If theology was sound then we would not have the flood of ideas that have divided the church. The Scriptures are essential for sound doctrine as it is inspired of God; ANYTHING ELSE is secondary and is subject to being tested by the word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit.
While discussing about the last days with a learned pastor, I was tested by the fellow according to theological viewpoints such as premillenialism, post millennial, ad nauseum… My response was that it is not what the theologians say that should be the standard of testing one’s words, but the Word of God. Though a sincere man, theology seems to be his standard source of discernment and understanding God’s word. That is very sad.
The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us the word of Christ and not manmade theories. In fact some of the theologians delve into issues that they have no knowledge about which leads one to presumption and heresy! All that we learn and hear, say and teach should be tested by the word of God with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Anything else is vanity because it is only God who has truth .Our faith should not be based on our genius or man’s wisdom but on our Lord Jesus Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge .
Grace and Peace
Arthur Owiti.
