What Purpose Of Biblical And Theological Study?

students beginning their journey of academic biblical studies and is supposed to be used as a guide

The books that we were required to read for Bible 115 class were Engaging God’s World – A Christian Vision Of Faith, Learning And Living by Cornelius Plantinga Jr. and The Call – Finding And Fulfilling The Central Purpose For Your Life by Os Guinness. Both books offered very useful advice for today’s Christians. Engaging God’s World is written for students and will help them make sense of their education in a Christian perspective. Both authors use scripture, humor and common sense to validate their points.

The Bible tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15 KJV).

In the article, “Why Theological Study Is for Everyone” by Jared Wilson, he starts the article by saying “Every Christian must be a theologian” . I for one couldn’t agree more with Mr. Wilson on this fact due to the fact that it is my belief that every Christian should understand and appreciate how important theological study of God is for his people. Like in the article, I’m not referring to going to a academic university, or telling everyone they must know every verse and book front to back; what I am actually referring to is simply the studying of God’s infallible Word.

Generally, I find the theology behind the numerous aspects of the Bible not only, helpful, but also fascinating. Learning about the four different views about God’s role in the inspiration of the Bible makes me more aware of the theology behind certain doctrines and principles I may not have been aware of. This unit has forced me to tear down my assumptions about the Bible and go into the Bible with a new perspective of innocence. Through having an open-mind I am able to have important conversations with people, about the Bible, from all Christian backgrounds. Additionally, learning about the multitudes of translations of the Bible, and how they fall into three distinct categories, has helped me understand there are different purposes and intended audiences for each translation of the Bible. Before, I struggled with the fact that there were so many English translations of the Bible, but now I understand each one

In this chapter, the author states that many feel that theology is unnecessary to understanding God. Most feel that they know more about God because of personal experiences. The author says he agrees with that to some degree; however, he feels that one is very limited with only the personal experience and without what he calls a map, which is what theology would be as related to the Christian religion. Without

5. The Biblical creation story applies to our lives at college. By studying his creation we grow to know God better and we learn to live Godly lives by looking at what he created us to do. Just like atheistic scientists James Watson and Francis Crick discovered DNA by studying the creation not the Bible we can learn a lot about God and ourselves by not just reading the Bible, but also taking time to study the creation.

How does being familiar with a biblical worldview help us understand the big picture of God’s design, and how can you apply that understanding to your calling?

Ferrin’s process of inductive Bible study takes on a relational approach that consists of three essential parts or phases titled Foundation, Framing, and Finish Work. The structured methods encompass studying a book of the Bible and internalizing it rather than just memorizing the words (p. 3). The author diligently explains how that through the devoted application of all phases individuals and group Bible study participants are sure to “fall in love with God’s Word” (p. 3). Ferrin presents and or describes Scripture internalization as taking in the truth and then applying it to everyday life or living. Ferrin pointed out that the benefits of understanding biblical messages book by book include the Living Word of God becoming a reality within persons that grow more enjoyable and rewarding as time comes and goes.

To articulate my theological view of scripture, I will address Scripture as broken yet beautiful, then express how I read and interpret sacred texts, given the need to understand the author’s intent, the historical context, and a Christocentric hermeneutic. This will be followed by the aim of reading scripture, which is not simply for orthodox doctrine, but for right living. Although Scripture is primary, it is not the only way God speaks to humanity, thus I will address the Spirit, tradition, creation, and experience as other sources of insight. Despite this integrated approach to scripture and theology, it is not foolproof or necessarily correct. Therefore, I will end this section with a discussion of knowledge and how we understand truth, grounded in the epistemological paradigm of practical

If I were to sum up what I have learned from this course it would be focused on Faith and a new understanding of the Bible. Faith is not just part of religion but every aspect of our everyday lives, and is fascinatingly carried through the Bible from the beginning to the end. It began with the Creation, and continued throughout the Fall, Redemption, and Consummation of Christ. It is the foundation of the Christian perspective and what leads God’s people to salvation and good works. Our modern world is so corrosive to faith that Jesus Christ asked, "When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). He is there to give his people the gift of faith and to help them to grow in living faith that will last forever.

Theology will impact my life in a new way because it will challenge me to dive deeper into the word of God than just scratching the surface. Moreover, it will provide a framework that can be used to reveal God’s presence and revelation in the scriptures, as well as, the many aspects of my life. I did not study theology before, as this class is my first academic opportunity to do so. Actually, I had originally thought of theology as another term used to discuss the Bible and debate interpretations on verse or themes of the Bible. I believed it was based mostly on opinion through personal revelation. This was also a time in my life where I loosely believed that interpretations were founded from personal epiphanies of the reader. Thankfully,

Specifically, I hope to learn more about Christian theology to supplement my own testimony. I hope that after completion of this course I will be better able to defend my own personal theology. As a Christian I believe that faith is a core component to my testimony. However, I also believe that God wishes me to use my intelligence to support and defend my faith. The Bible states in 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (New Revised Standard Version). It is my hope and desire that after the completion of Theology 104 I will be better able to defend my belief, or rather my theology in the hope that I have come to find in my belief of

Winsomely presented, B.B. Warfield is well known for his scholarship with no exception seen here, In The Religious Life of Theological Students. Here as seminary students, we must chiefly be Godly men, apt to teach with the added passion of devotion driven by our love of God. As a result of our love for God, we are encouraged to have in our vocation a devotion with zeal and piety. We are to be as Warfield puts it; God-made, meaning a minister is called, shaped and developed divinely by God’s decree and power thereby being made worthy through the process of God’s call upon their life.

Biblical Interpretation is important and necessary so that we can understand what the text is saying, what the intended theological message is, and how to personally apply and teach these Scriptural truths to carry forward the Gospel in rescuing others from despair and death to hope and life, thus displaying His glory and growing His Kingdom. It is about finding what God is revealing about Himself and His Son Jesus Christ. Moreover, it is for us to know that God desires to have a relationship with us and for us to be set apart in a covenant relationship with Him to display holy lives that bring Him glory. Interpretation, using hermeneutical principles, help guide us in proper boundaries for interpreting Scripture so that we can reveal the intended meaning of the text. Without this, we run the risk of imposing our own ideas on the text, therefore misinterpreting. Misinterpreting can cause us to miss theological truths, administer the wrong application, and neglect or overlook the meaning of the text which weakens the impact of God’s truth in our personal lives as well as others we are teaching.