Theology Banter

Have you ever been in the midst of a conversation about theology? I am not referring to the calm ones over a cup of coffee or a pint, but rather the ones that involve heated arguing about who is right and who is wrong. Yes, the ones where some ones ego is in play. I don't know about you, but they drive me crazy!

"I can't believe you're a pre-millennialist, how could believe that."

How?

"You believe you can lose your salvation?"

Why?

Recently my friend said something that I wished I would've thought of and been able to use in many of conversations. Though I would want to use it for my own gain of sounding smarter than I really am and making people who make me feel small feel even smaller. God knows this and knew that years prior I wasn't mature enough to handle words like these and use them with in a graceful manner. All that to say my friend said this "the discussion of theology is only good to the extent that it glorifies God".

I have never heard it said better...

It kind of blew me away...

One of the first things I ever learned about theology is that questions will only lead to more questions...

which could be disheartening, but I find it exciting that God will always fill us. He is inexhaustible as Trip Lee says.

I feel God gave us theology so complex for the means of growing closer to him through wrestling with scripture and constantly coming to him for guidance through this wrestling.

I think it becomes wrong and maybe even sin when we put someone down and make divides over non essential theology. Though there are most definitely essentials on which we should stand firm, this post is speaking about the non essentials which so many times are elevated for the sake of a pat on someone's ego.

It just erks me that someone takes an opportunity teach someone or grow themselves and turns it into an opportunity to stroke their ego. I believe that their is a very small place for ego in a christians life... I know some people are born with that struggle, but they should fight it the same way that someone fight an addiction to alcohol or pornography. We view sin so lop sided from God's view but, that is a post for another time...

I enjoy the banter of theology with a good friend over a coffee or an occasional pint where we can discuss and learn from one another despite our different interpretations and views. I do however, despise the building up of ones ego over such things. I think is dangerous even. I think this leads to self righteousness which the Bible tells us clearly is evil and wrong. I believe as christians we are to constantly give away credit and knowledge. Having a right view of ourselves as servants to our neighbors.

We need to realize that we can all learn something from people we come in contact with.

We need to bestow what little we know on other people around us.

We can even learn from people that we choose to disciple.

We need to be stewards of these things.