Monday, November 11, 2019

Did Paul shape theology, or did theology shape him?

Some say Paul was a gifted theological genius. Perhaps so; however, that only proves that theology will get you nowhere without truth to back it up. Let admit it, God had to knock him flat of his theological back to get through to him that Jesus was the Messiah. So much for theology, I would say. Theology will never outsmart God. He is what He is. The great “I Am” is not swayed by the brilliance of man.

Given a choice, I would rather partner with a simple man or woman on fire for God than a dozen confused scholars from the halls of Harvard. The mark of a man is how big his heart is for God, not the number of degrees he hangs on his wall. Chalk me up as a mystic if you wish, but I would rather be in touch with the ineffable presence of God than have all the head knowledge in the world.

What I have may be joy unspeakable, but at least I have it. Theologies come and go, but his steadfast love endures forever. I thank God every day for my Pentecostal roots which allows me to express myself in the deepest sense of the word with stammering lips and the inexpressible yearning of the heart and tongues that must be interpreted. What that says to me is that God is willing and fully capable of sidestepping conventional wisdom and entering into an eternal personal relationship with me that even angels desire to look into. Put that in a book. You can’t.

At best all theology can do is point you in the right direction. Yes, even orthodoxy theology. The rest is between you and your Maker.

Take care, 

JimRoane, Ph.D.

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