Church Planting Now
The Whole Plan of God
(An overview of Biblical Theology)
Part 1
Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International.
This is from a class on theology we did at Redemption City Church. How much of our understanding of God and theology is really Biblical?
Introduction
The Bible clearly shows us that in the latter days (the time we are living in) having a true understanding of the Bible and the whole plan of God will be critical. We need a truly Biblical theology.
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." 1Tim. 4.1
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth..." 2 Tim. 4.3
" But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2Cor. 11.3
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord..." 2 Pet. 2.1
If this were not enough to put us on our guard, we are also told the importance of truth.
"For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." Jn. 18.37
"...but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1Tim. 3.15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Tim. 2.15
The term "theology", means the study of God, and was first coined by Plato, a philosopher. Nowhere does the Bible tell us to study God, but to know Him.
I think, as we endeavor to develop a "Biblical Theology" we need to be careful of philosophy. Something might be logical, and make sense, but that doesn't mean it is Biblical. "When we move away from the authority of the scripture we don't get a liberal Christianity; we get a whole new religion" In addition to watching out for philosophy, we must also watch out for presuppositions. Too often we start with ideas, presuppositions, and then go to the Bible to find proof for our ideas. We want to start and end with the Bible; nothing more and nothing less.
For a doctrine or belief to be "Biblical" it must:
1. Be accurate in interpretation
2Tim. 3.16 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...". The words 'inspiration of God', literally means "God breathed". This means that this was God's idea: it was initiated by Him, not by man. He revealed Himself and His plan.
Every word that God breathed has authority. But, that means every word in the original, not in a paraphrase. I think this authority is under attack today. A paraphrase, like the Message, can make the ideas of the Bible easier to read, but it is not the God breathed authority of scripture; its a man's paraphrase. Many modern translations use "dynamic equivalence" in translating the Bible. This means they translate ideas, or the thought of the passage into English. This concept can put 'readability' above 'accuracy'. I am not saying they don't have a place or purpose, but be careful you don't put too much weight on a word that God never said in the first place. For example, I heard a guy once argue about whether a Christian still has a 'sinful nature'.
'Sinful nature' is now the NIV translates the greek word sarx. That word has more commonly been translated 'flesh'. Its a totally different question if you are asking "Does a Christian still have a sinful nature?" Or is you are asking, "Does a Christian still have flesh?".
Thirdly, for a belief or doctrine to be accurate in interpretation, it must include all the Bible says on the subject. Building a doctrine on one scripture in not "Biblical". We can't pick and choose. We can use one scripture and ignore others that refer to the same subject, and still claim to be Biblical.
2. Be accurate in context with other truth.
Acts 20.26-27 says, "Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole plan (counsel) of God." To be innocent we must declare the whole plan of God. We can't isolate a truth, or make a single truth the lens through which we look at the whole Bible. It seems from the above passage that there is a pressure to not declare the whole plan of God. Its easier, and pleases people, if we only focus on one truth. "When a truth becomes the truth, it quickly leads to untruth."
3. Be accurate in emphasis.
What emphasis does the Bible put on this belief? And therefore, what emphasis does God put on this doctrine or belief? In Matt. 22. 35-39, a lawyer asks Jesus, "which is the greatest commandment in the law?" The background is that the Pharisees had identified 669 commandments, and they ordered them by, what they thought, was their importance. So, the question was about what Jesus considered overriding doctrine or importance. This would let them know what category in which to place Jesus. Sound familiar? Do you believe in the Sovereignty of God or the Free will of Man? A.W. Pink once said,
"The doctrine of the Sovereignty of God is the sun around which the universe of all other doctrines revolve." But, does the Bible say this, either directly or by emphasis? Jesus, in answering the lawyer, picked to commandments, neither of which are in the top 10. Deut. 6.5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." The second, Lev. 19.18, is the second half of a verse in a chapter of over 40 commands. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Why these? It seems to me He is emphasizing relationship. Its seems to me that one of the most important beliefs that Jesus emphasized is that God is Relational. "Our Father..."
Therefore, for a doctrine or belief to really be "Biblical" in it must be accurate in interpretation; only what is 'God breathed' is authoritative. It must be accurate in context with other truth; we want the whole plan of God. And, it must be accurate in emphasis; what weight does God place on it.
Hope you found this helpful I will post Part Two from Russ next week.
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