From The Pastor’s Desk…..
Why Is Theology So Important
Christian theology, as it pertains to the subject of the doctrine of salvation, has been an endless chess game for centuries. One theology says you should believe this, another theology says you should do that. Certain Christian churches follow certain theologies based upon reformers who spent their lives searching and reforming theology to meet the standards that God has set before us to live for Him in a way that is in accordance with His Divine character, nature, and sovereignty. The first thing I would say pertaining to this subject of theology is that God doesn’t want His children to be confused or uninformed. Our convictions about our theology should be rooted and grounded in the Bible, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as our teacher about what God says, and how we should apply His word to our daily lives, to live rightly for God and to please Him. We should want to know the truth, and as Jesus said Himself, “The Truth shall set you free!”
What does the word theology mean? Theology is the study of God, His attributes, and His relationship with man and the universe. When the meaning of the word theology is broken down, it is broken down into two parts, translated from the Greek. Theos= meaning God and logos=meaning God’s Word, teaching, study.
The problem that arises in theology is primarily due to interpretation. That’s why it’s so important to study God’s word and to study it with the intent to know the absolute Truth of His Words. One religion may explain the doctrine of salvation one way, another denomination may explain the doctrine of salvation a different way. One preacher preaches the doctrine of salvation one way, another preacher teaches the doctrine of salvation a different way.
Again, I want to emphasize the fact that God does not want Christians to be confused. I recently heard a pastor of a reformed Church describing how a mother of several children was emotionally distressed and distraught over the fact of not knowing whether her children were predestined by God to be condemned to hell for eternity or to have life with Him for eternity. The pastors answer to the emotionally distraught mother, based upon his understanding of the doctrine of salvation, told the mother that it was not her department to be concerned about such a thing. In other words, the preacher was saying in effect, that God is sovereign and that He chooses who gets saved and who doesn’t, and that we shouldn’t question God’s sovereignty. Can you imagine? A mother being told by her pastor, according to his interpretation of theology, that her children may be chosen by God to spend eternity in hell, and that there was nothing that could be done to change the situation.
There are many scriptures that would contradict that preachers statement. John 3:16 for one. However, a person who has a different theology based upon the doctrine of salvation will have scriptures also that he or she will use to support their view. That’s why it is so important to know what you believe and why you believe it when it comes to your relationship with God. The preacher went on to use an illustration about a farmer to further explain his definition of the doctrine of salvation. He said that a farmer doesn’t contemplate about whether or not to plant his crop in the spring until he knows what the weather is going to be that year. In other words, the farmer plants his crops in hope that there will be sufficient rain and sunshine for the crop to grow and that the result will bring a yield at the end of the season. What deeply disturbs me about this kind of theology is that it leaves a person with “No Hope”. There is nothing the person can do to change the fact that he or she, or children, are going to hell because God chose them to go there and there is nothing they can do to change that. To me, this is absolutely absurd. This is not the God I know and serve!
My main emphasis on the message I’ve written for today is that theology is important. What we believe determines who we are and what we do. Our theology affects our intellect, our emotions, and our volition.
Have you ever found yourself asking God the question “where do I start?” Maybe there was a time in your life when you were experiencing a difficult time and you were seeking an answer but you didn’t know where to start. Well I would like to apply that question and an answer in light of the diverse subject of theology. Where do we start? We start with God! Looking again at the definition of theology which is the study of God, our questions about theology should be directed towards Him, His Word, His Spirit, and His perfect will for our lives. I’ve listed below some points that I follow when trying to discern God’s Word.
1. Don’t ever let a person have the final word in your convictions of what you believe. I’m not saying that christians, teachers, pastors, cannot be helpful. I’m also not saying that they may be 100% correct in their interpretation of God’s Word. What I am saying is that people are human, fallible, and imperfect. Would you want to get to heaven and tell God that you had based your convictions upon what somebody else told you, instead of what your own personal convictions were? The Bible does teach that we will be held accountable in that way.
2. When God gives you peace in your heart about your convictions related to theology, whatever they may be, and you believe them with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, always continue to keep your spiritual ear open to God that He may redirect your heart toward new information, new insights, pertaining to your convictions / beliefs.
3. When we look at history and see reformers interpreting God’s sovereignty it is usually interpreted in one of two ways. Some reformers looked at God’s sovereignty as God being a “Rulling Monarch”. Other reformers interpreted God’s sovereignty as “A Loving Parent” . Which one of these definitions of God’s sovereignty would you choose to be your guide? Do you see God’s Sovereignty as a loving parent? Or, do you see God’s Sovereignty as a ruling monarch?
I have enclosed in my message today a chart that illustrates an overview between two theology, especially when pertaining to the doctrine of salvation. I hope it’s helpful. And I also hope you continue to search the scriptures and learn more about God’s sovereignty. My goal as a pastor would be to see every church member with a solid conviction in their theology pertaining to the doctrine of salvation. And along with that, be able to explain to others what they believe and why they believe it. I would think, most church members, if not all, already are rooted and grounded in there belief, based on God’s word, of His way to salvation, through His Love. However, we can always improve our interpretation in ways to reach others for Christ.
Pastor John
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Bible Memory Verse Plan
Week 1 – 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV
Week 2 – Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23, NKJV
Week 3 – Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34, KJV
Week 4 – Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, NKJV
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“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” —Corrie Ten Boom
“If you look at the world you will be distressed, If you look within you will be depressed, if you look to God, you will be at rest” -----Corrie Ten Boom
“There is an ocean of God's love available – there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious LOVE – whatever the circumstances.” -----Corrie Ten Boom
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday School – 8:30 AM in the Community Building
Choir Practice Every Thursday at 1pm
You may reach Pastor John at #607-651-4760 or at his.ship@gmail.com
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.
Sunday, February 9th – 3pm – service at Barnes Kasson – if interested, see Pastor John
Thursday, February 13th – PW Meeting – 11am
Friday, February 14th– Happy Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 19th – Men's Breakfast - 8am
Thursday, February 20th – Session Meeting – 5pm
Wednesday, March 5th – Ash Wednesday Service - 6pm
NOTE: Our website is: www.franklinhillpresbyterian.org where you can access online messages, event calendar, our church newsletter, mission, etc. Check it out when you can! Church E-Mail: fhpc400@att.net Also check our Facebook page! Phone #570-967-2075
Don't forget our card ministry - If you would like a card sent to a particular person to give them a lift or let them know they are missed or offer encouragement, etc. etc., just give the name and address to Cathe. Cards, envelopes and postage will be provided and placed on a table in the Community Building the first Sunday of each month. As we file past the table on our way to the coffee pot, we will be able to sign each of the cards and Cathe will address the envelopes and mail them.
The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with a simple prayer said by Reverend Brad Smith at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat. The Souper Bowl of Caring empowers and unites communities to tackle hunger using the energy of the Big Game. Its vision is to transform the Big Game into a nationwide movement inspiring people to give locally and make a collective impact on hunger. People collect monetary donations traditionally during the weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. All of the money is then given directly to local charities of the group's choice. Usually The Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church collects monetary donations until Super Bowl Sunday, which this year is February 9th but this year we will extend until Sunday, February 16h. The donations will be distributed locally through our Local Missions Outreach Program. Please give your monetary donations to Bonne Travis or Carolyn White. Thank you!
This is lunch time at the Children's school in Bungoma, Kenya Franklin Hill church has supported Rev Malaho for nearly 20 years. We helped them start the school which had a dirt floor and a closed room so some students could sleep there.. Now they have 340 students and 50 students stay at the school. Most of them have responsibilities,(jobs). Staff are mostly volunteer and they help guide the students to run the school and grow their own food. The students are mostly orphans or or from "abject poverty" and they developed into responsible adults. By Jim Kessler