"And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." - Exodus 3:5
Moses didn't hasten into the presence of a holy God. Nor should we impatiently hurry into the study of Theology. Fruitless conversations about Theology persist nowadays without any fear! Mainly, because those who are doing the talking don't know the first thing about a real relationship with God.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." - Prov. 9:10
When considering such a topic like Theology, which is "the study of God", one must consider God Himself. If you tarry a little while before the light of Scripture, you will come to find out a lot you didn't know about yourself.
Psychology |
Sin & Repentance |
It turns out that God cannot be learned like an academic subject of school. God cannot be learned like a chemist learned chemistry, like an engineer learned mathematics, or like a classroom of students become educated. The carnal faculties of human intelligence don't ever give one man an advantage above another in this endeavor. Everything else you have ever learned in your lifetime cannot be compared to learning God.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Cor. 2:14
Theology is a holy enterprise. One must be sanctified by the Spirit of God to engage in its benefits. If God said to Moses, "Draw not nigh hither", as a caution, and again, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet", as a command and a condition, it stands to reason that there is something similar the LORD would say to modern Christians. Seeing that we serve the same God (we profess), what is the New Testament rendition of such words given to Moses whereby we might be enabled to come near to God?
"Draw not nigh hither..." - Ex. 3:5
Not just anyone can come into the presence of God at any time (Ps. 24:3, 1 Cor. 1:26-31). You can't just decide to do it whenever you want by your own merit (Jn. 3:3, 6:44). Even so, when approaching the Study of God - namely Theology - one must behave as though he is approaching God Himself. God does speak, but not everyone hears Him (Jer. 6:10)! God does teach and expound doctrines, but not all are able to understand them (Isaiah 28:9)! Theology can only be "taught" by God even though human instrumentality is used (Eph. 4:20-24). Therefore, when at last anyone has "learned Christ" or has "heard Him", it is one and the same thing as being "taught by Him" (Eph. 4:20).
"Put Off Thy Shoes..." - Ex. 3:5
"put off the old man with his deeds" - Col. 3:9
"put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" - Eph. 4:22
"put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" - Col. 3:8
"cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" - Rom. 13:12
The grounds by which all fruitful theological discussions are conducted must be holy. Things must be put off. Things must be put on. Why? God is holy. Learning about and personally knowing God must be an exercise of holiness. Studying and learning must be done by spiritually hearing, and no one can hear without the Holy Spirit of God.
The Churches of modern times are fraternities of hypocrisy. Everyone is welcome and unholiness is commonplace! A total disregard for truth has taken the "Theo" out of Theology. The Church-ianity of today is alien to biblical Christianity! "The fastest way to go to hell is down the center isle of the average church." (Leonard Ravenhill). Things have to change. A remnant of true believers must arise and insert themselves into the national conversation. It is time to earnestly contend for the faith! Chiefly, we must declare the message of the Cross in the Passion of Jesus Christ! Only then will lost souls come to see the sinfulness of sin. Only then will sinners give up and surrender all while laying prostrate at the feet of Jesus Christ.
The Passion of Jesus ChristRoman Catholicism |
Sodom & Gomorrah |