The normal enterprise of Theology these days certainly acquires knowledge about God. Yet, for the most part, the soul is left empty and bereft of divine life (Eph. 4:17-19).
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." - John 17:3 [Jn. 8:19. 2 Thess. 1:7-10]
"He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." - 1 John 2:4
Theologians and academics have failed to put a difference between acquiring knowledge about God and personally knowing God (Jn. 17:3; 1 Jn. 2:4; Titus 1:16). A lack of focused emphasis on this vital issue has poisoned countless volumes of theology to date (Matt. 7:28-29, Mk. 1:22, Lk. 4:32, Acts 4:13, 2 Cor. 4:2). Consequentially, the Priests of the LORD have failed to put a difference between the clean and the unclean (Lev. 10:10, 11:47, 20:25, Jer. 15:19, Ezek. 22:26, 44:23; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1); neither have they discerned between the living and the dead (Prov. 21:16, Matt. 15:13, Eph. 2:1, Col. 2:13, 1 Tim. 5:6. Rev. 3:1).
This negligence is nothing short of murder (Acts 20:26). Eternity depends upon a real and living personal encounter with the LORD (Jer. 2:12-13). Unadulterated Theology directs the soul into a personal encounter with God at salvation and a growing knowledge of God coming with sanctification as one walks with God in the beauties of holiness. The true utility of the word of God humbles the soul rather than puffing it up (Heb. 4:12-13, Jer. 23:29), because only humble souls do abide and walk with God (Ps. 138:6, Micah 6:8, Isa. 57:15, 66:2). However, when and if Theology is committed into the hands of unconverted men, the divine utility of the word of God is compromised; therefore, instead of humbling the soul, "the knowledge of God" is puffing it up (Isa. 5:21).
This negligence is nothing short of murder (Acts 20:26). Eternity depends upon a real and living personal encounter with the LORD (Jer. 2:12-13). Unadulterated Theology directs the soul into a personal encounter with God at salvation and a growing knowledge of God coming with sanctification as one walks with God in the beauties of holiness. The true utility of the word of God humbles the soul rather than puffing it up (Heb. 4:12-13, Jer. 23:29), because only humble souls do abide and walk with God (Ps. 138:6, Micah 6:8, Isa. 57:15, 66:2). However, when and if Theology is committed into the hands of unconverted men, the divine utility of the word of God is compromised; therefore, instead of humbling the soul, "the knowledge of God" is puffing it up (Isa. 5:21).
"...Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of Him." - 1Cor. 8:1-3
With depravity taking its course, suddenly a whole generation is given over to the pride of knowledge about God in the brazen idolatry of human intelligence. They feel themselves to be the most humble people on the face of the earth by virtue of truly knowing God, but in reality what they believe to be the knowledge of God is the source of the problem. The knowledge they have acquired hasn't ushered their souls into the blazing light of God's Presence (Isa. 6:5). In all their knowledge about God they haven't come to know God! For, had they come to know the LORD in truth, they wouldn't feel so much that they have come to know anything, but rather that God has come to know them (Ps. 1:6, 4:3, 36:10, 139:23-24) and in the process they have found Him to be lovely beyond human description ("the love of Christ which passeth knowledge" - Eph. 3:17-19)!
If you entrust your soul to the good intentions of godless men, they will forbid you from knowing God by teaching you "the word of God". What they teach you about the Bible will make you wise unto damnation (Jer. 8:5-9, 1 Cor. 3:18-20, Php. 3:4-6). What they teach you about the Temple of the LORD will banish you from the presence of God (Jer. 7:4). In a demonstration of zeal that inspires you they will destroy you (Rom. 9:32-10:3, Gal. 5:7-9, 6:13-14). In eloquence of speech that fascinates you they will bewitch you (Rom. 16:17-19, Gal. 3:1). In formal training to master "divinity" they will make you an enemy of the Cross of Christ (Gal. 1:10, Php. 3:17-19).
If you entrust your soul to the good intentions of godless men, they will forbid you from knowing God by teaching you "the word of God". What they teach you about the Bible will make you wise unto damnation (Jer. 8:5-9, 1 Cor. 3:18-20, Php. 3:4-6). What they teach you about the Temple of the LORD will banish you from the presence of God (Jer. 7:4). In a demonstration of zeal that inspires you they will destroy you (Rom. 9:32-10:3, Gal. 5:7-9, 6:13-14). In eloquence of speech that fascinates you they will bewitch you (Rom. 16:17-19, Gal. 3:1). In formal training to master "divinity" they will make you an enemy of the Cross of Christ (Gal. 1:10, Php. 3:17-19).