LIVING OUT THEOLOGY

 In the Jan/Feb 2023 issue of CT magazine, Ronni Kurtz asks the question “What is the matter with theology today?” His complain is that all too often theology has been weaponized as an instrument of division and pride, as well as a “replacement for sanctification and wisdom.” Instead, it should be “a means of cultivating Christian virtues such as the fruit of the Spirit.”

I certainly witnessed this fact at a previous church I attended in which the pastor bragged that it “had the perfect theology.” It was actually so detailed and “perfect” that their doctrinal statement went on for several pages, all of which had to be agreed to before a person could become a member of the church, which is why I never did join. But despite, or perhaps because of, this “perfection,” the elders, almost without exception, were among the most arrogant Christians I have encountered. And the teenagers in the church were even worse in their superior attitude toward others in their youth group who had the misfortune not to attend the school which they attended, in addition to their often rude attitude to the adults in the church.

By contrast, the next congregation I attended possessed only a rudimentary, and often confused, understanding of theological truths, as I learned when I joined a home Bible study. However, the staff and elders were a very dedicated and loving group of men who took their shepherding role in the church very seriously. And this attitude rubbed off on the rest of the church so that, for example, the teenagers were by far the most caring group of youth I have ever encountered, both toward each other and toward the adults in the congregation.

Kurtz offers a threefold antidote to those who misuse theology based on three passages in Paul's writings, which I would like to briefly highlight:

Think about these things (Philippians 4:8)

Kurtz begins by saying, “You possess something of immense value – your attention. The world wants it, and it will throw much at you to get it...For this reason and countless others, Paul's conclusion to his letter to the Philippians is just as relevant today as it was in first-century Philippi....What Paul understood, and what we must understand, is that whatever we give out attention to will form us as people.”

Craddock says, “Paul's repeating of this virtue list is not given to the Philippians for thoughtless embrace. Note the qualifications. First, Paul says 'think about these things' (v. 8). The word here means to consider, give thought to, reason out...Secondly, Paul offers his own life as a screening room...Finally, Paul brings the list of virtues and compliance with it under the rule and blessing of the God of peace.”

“Nothing that is really worthwhile for believers to ponder and take into consideration is omitted from this summarizing phrase. Anything at all that is a matter of moral and spiritual excellence...is the right pasture for the Christian mind to graze in.” (Hendricksen)

Ladd notes that there is no overlap between the virtues in this verse and the similar lists in Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:12-15. “Such lists do not offer a formal ethic, nor are they designed to portray the pattern of the good man or the Christian ideal toward which all are to strive. They are rather different ways Paul addresses himself to concrete historical situations to explain how the new life in Christ is to express itself.”

Furnish reminds us that “it is an admonition to action; the excellences of Phil. 4:8 are to be made manifest in one's life, just as is the fact of one's death to sin and life to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11). The exhortation to 'consider' in Phil. 4:8 is alternatively expressed in the exhortation to 'do' (prassete) in the verse which follows.”

Be transformed (Romans 12:2)

Fee says, “Spirit ethics starts with a renewed mind...because only in this way may we determine what God's will is and thus be pleasing to him. The mind renewed by the Spirit leads us to understand that he must rule over all; and only by such a renewed mind may we discover how best to love.”

Morris explains, “The reference to the mind is important. Paul does not envisage a mindless emotionalism, but a deeply intelligent approach to life, as characteristic of the Christian who has been renewed by the Holy Spirit. The term mind is not confined to intellectual pursuits (it includes an important moral element), but it certainly embraces them.”

“The internal work of Christ is to be understood not in terms of complete transformation of the human personality or the displacement of something human by something divine, but in terms of an influx of divine power accomplishing a reorientation of the will toward God.” (Ladd)

“For the Christian, the will of God is not possessed but – as Rom. 12:2 implies – ever newly sought and found. As the Christian's whole life is 'transformed' and his critical facilities of ethical discernment and decision are 'renewed'...he is enabled to 'find out what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.'” (Furnish)

Barclay concludes, “When Christ becomes the center of life then we can offer the real worship, which is the offering of every moment and every action of life to God.”

Similarly, Kurtz says, “Contemplating God in Christian theology is no mere intellectualism. On the contrary, setting our mind on God and all things in relation to God allows us to gaze at him who is love. In so doing, we will be transformed by the renewal of our minds. A mind full of truth should lead to a heart full of love and hands full of care.”

Behold the glory of the Lord (II Corinthians 3:18)

Fee explains that the Lord “is now to be understood in terms of the Spirit's activity among us – the Spirit of the new covenant, who brings freedom and transforms God's people into 'the glory of the Lord.'”

In the same manner, Ladd points out that “in this passage the Spirit is not the indwelling power of the new life but is identified with the ascended, glorified Lord. The Christian's preoccupation with his exalted Lord will mean that he will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ. However, the context of the passage is that of ministry...not general moral excellence.”

“This process of transformation into the image of Christ is none other than the restoration of the image of God which was marred through the fall of man.” (Hughes)

“It is the Spirit's work to effect this change, transforming believers into the likeness of him who is the ground plan of the new humanity, the new Adam, until they attain their promised destiny as 'made like to his Son' (Rom 8:29) and enjoy the full freedom that is their birthright under the terms of the new covenant.” (Martin)

Finally, Kurtz says, “While we should always attempt to work out our theology and ask important questions like 'How can I live this truth out today?' we should not forget that there is immense wisdom in simply beholding the great God of ours. When we behold him, we begin to look like him, as we are transformed from one degree of glory to another.”