So Great A Cloud

A few weeks back I read the article “Thinking Theologically” for Introduction to Theology (Systematic Theology 1). Here is a brief overview of the key points:

Cole, Graham. “Thinking Theologically.” The Reformed Theological Review 48, no. 2 (May-Aug. 1989): 51-62.

What is it to think theologically?  Unfortunately, many studying theology do not think theologically as theology and its methods have been so watered down.

At it’s core – theological thinking is biblical thinking. The Bible needs to be central.  This involves two levels – agreement with biblical content and an understanding that the Bible is revealed revelation.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated, “We must learn to know the Scriptures again, as the Reformers and our fathers knew them . . . . It is not our heart that determines our course, but God’s Word. But who in this day has any proper understanding of the need for scriptural proof? How often we hear innumerable arguments ‘from life’ and ‘from experience’ put forward as the basis for the most crucial decisions, but the argument of Scripture is missing.”

Theological thinking is also historical thinking.  We are fortunate to have 2,000 years of Church history to help us understand and interpret Scriptures.  We need to leverage the minds and thinking of all those who have gone before us to come to clearer arguments and understanding of Scripture.

Theological thinking is existential thinking. The theologian needs to apply Scripture and doctrine to the present.  This includes an eschatological view as we see the unfolding of God’s plan, our role in it’s pattern, and the time of Christ’s return drawing closer.  The true Christian theologian is one that is moved to service and is interested in the world around him/her.

Theological thinking is thinking philosophically.  Theology holds the answers for the questions that philosopher’s pose. What is the meaning of life is found in Scripture. Philosophy can be a friend of foe.  When philosophy is seen as an activity (not doctrine) and trains our mind to think clearly it is a friend of the theologian. We need to clearly understand our presuppositions and how they influence us.

The activity of thinking theologically falls to pastors, lay leadership, theological educators, modern commentary writers.  In another sense – it applies to everyone in the Church, but at varying levels of Christian maturity and understanding.

Thinking theologically is done before God (coram deo).  It is something to be approached with humility and prayer.  J.S. Whale warns: “Instead of putting off our shoes from our feet because the place whereon we stand is holy ground, we are taking nice photographs of the burning bush, from suitable angles: we are chatting about theories of atonement with our feet on the mantlepiece, instead of kneeling down before the wounds of Christ.” Theological thinking involves the interconnection between thinking, praying, and serving.

I have so much catching up on blogging to summarize everything that is happening in Seminary.

This past week I handed in my first written paper for seminary on Christ’s View of the Authority of the Old Testament.  Below is the beginning synopsis of the paper:

The four Gospels contain over 119 references to the Old Testament – either direct reference or implied reference to individuals or events taught there.  Christ himself is attributed to referencing the Old Testament on at least 92 occasions.

The Old Testament provides the foundation for Christ’s teaching and ministry in the New Testament.  On several occasions Christ attacked the traditions of the Pharisees but not once did he question the validity of the Old Testament Scriptures.  In fact, he specifically teaches us in Matthew 5:17-20 that he has not “come to abolish the law and the prophets” but to “fulfill them.”

Through Christ’s use of the Old Testament we learn that Christ believed the Old Testament Scriptures:

1. Authority.
2. Historicity.
3. Authorship.
4. Prophecy.