Brussels and Islam

"They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper." (The Qur'an, Surah 4.89). 

Doubtless, you've heard by now. Islamic terrorists have taken the lives of at least 31 people in Brussels, Belgium, yet our government still refuses to directly confront the problem. I try not to talk about politics too much-- not unless it has theological implications (which it can!).  I posit that it will not be long before ISIS becomes a serious threat to the United States, and it does not appear that our leadership is particularly excited about fulfilling the qualifications given in Romans 13:4. President Obama seems to think that we can defeat terrorism with rhetoric. This is unsettling, to say the least. However, we tend to forget the first part of Romans 13 (Romans 13:1). No matter who we elect to the executive office, or who Islamic terrorists decide to target next, our God is sovereign. We know that "the Devil is God's Devil," right? Well, how about "ISIS is God's ISIS"? This is not to say that God approves of everything ISIS is doing. This means that ISIS will do nothing outside of God's sovereign allowance. That should comfort us. Let us pray for Brussels, let us pray for the Middle East, let us pray for ISIS, and let us pray for the world this Easter.

Je suis Bruxelles.  

Why I "Do Theology"

"Many people react negatively to the word theology, believing that it involves dry, fruitless arguments about minute points of doctrine." 

That quote is from the summary of Dr. R.C. Sproul's book Everyone's a Theologian. I have yet to read it, but I agree with the premise of that book. That is, of course, that everyone is a theologian. This is not to say that everyone makes their living by studying and teaching others about God. As Dr. Sproul points out: "Not everybody's a professional theologian with a capital 'T,' but we're all theologians in a lower-case 't' because we all have some view of who God is." There you have it. Some rather squishy Christians may say, 'I don't do theology.' Sorry to burst your bubble, but yes, you most certainly do. If one's theology is nothing more than their view of who God is (or who He isn't, or who the many are), then it is inescapable. Like it or not, you have a doctrine of God. G.K. Chesterton said, "Theology is simply that part of religion that requires brains."

Though everyone is a theologian in the abstract sense, there are those, like myself, who make it a point to study doctrine. Yes, it's a lot of what I do in my free time, and yes, I enjoy it. Go figure. 

Let's go back to our squishy Evangelical friend: 'We just want love Jesus and love people.' That's great; I do too, but guess who says the same thing? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Watchtower Society, Christian Scientists, etc. So who exactly is this Jesus fellow? He's our Savior, eternal second Person of the Godhead, who came to earth and lived as true God and true man before suffering and dying on a cross for our sins, rising again from the dead and ascending into heaven, right? Hold the phone, that sounds like theology! Right on; it's theology. Specifically, it is Christology, the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ. If I told you that I love Peyton Manning the football player, and then proceeded to describe Peyton Manning as a 5"1' tall white-haired grandmother from China, you would probably question whether I actually knew who Peyton Manning was. In the same way, people can assert that they love Jesus, but if they have a skewed doctrine of who Jesus is, the difference could very well be eternal. Woops.  

For the Christian, theology is essential. The Bible is a book of doctrinal truth, and truth has a profound effect on our lives, as Jesus prays in John 17:17. Truth is integral to our growth as Christians. All of that is to say: I like theology. I like studying God, I like singing about God, I like thinking about God, and I try to live in light of His truth. 

The general persuasion of our culture is of moral relativism and pluralism, and the Church has begun catching the disease. Through all of this, Christians have been coming out of the woodwork (particularly from the Reformed camp, I might add) to take a stand for theology, apologetics, and ultimately, the word of God. I hope to be numbered among them. 

Theology isn't dead; it's on fire, and I would be pleased for you to join me as I seek to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.