Thorough Theology

To embrace a biblical theology, we cannot pick and choose which doctrines to accept. By developing a thorough theology grounded in Scripture, we understand God as He truly is rather than who we think He ought to be.

    The Buffet Theology 

  • Buffet lines are sought after by those who desire to get as much as they want of whatever it is that they want.
  • Our theology is often similar in picking and choosing what aspects we desire from Scripture.
  • We place God upon a theological buffet in which we pick and choose those delicacies we enjoy and pass over the dishes upon which we would rather not chew.

The Perfection of God 

  • Instead of making God behave like you think He should, it is far superior to embrace God as He is.
  • God is exactly who He should be because no one could ever concoct a superior version than He consistently remains to be.
  • Accepting ancient beliefs does not mean you hold antiquated values.
  • Eternal truths have contemporary significance.

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Isaiah 46:9

The Common Thread 

  • We shouldn’t strive to imitate Adam and Eve’s rebellion to know what God knows (Gen. 3:6).
  • We must see the futility of Aaron’s error of carving gods (Exod. 32:4) out of the gifts that the true God gives us (Exod. 12:35-36).
  • We must beware of the tendency to worship God in the tabernacle while having an idol in the satchel (Josh. 24:14).
  • We must flee from the example of Israel when they sought to replace the omnipotent God with an earthly king of impressive physical stature (1 Sam. 8:5; 9:2; 10:23). 
  • We should be cognizant that religious scholars were eagerly looking for the Messiah, met him face to face, and put Him on a cross (Mark 15:31-32).
  • In all our expectations of what God should be, we are in danger of missing Him altogether.

Galatians 1:6-10

  • Out of a concern for a church that was altering the gospel’s message, Paul understood that they were ultimately trying to recreate the identity of God.
  • These dangerous members desired to trouble others by distorting the gospel of Christ (1:7).
  • Churches throughout history have done the same thing by turning away from a biblical gospel and denying the biblical attributes of God.
  • Will we give way to political and peer pressure, or will we seek to stand firm on an authority that has a longer shelf life than a meager couple of years?
  • In our longings to appease our appetites and to achieve others’ acceptance, we have tried to recreate God in our images.
  • We can please man or please God, but it is doubtful if we can do both (1:10).

The Cultural Tendencies  

  • In a definitive study of God, we find the perfect one who needs no alterations.
  • Any adjustments made to Him would disfigure the ideal face for which our souls ultimately long to behold.
  • Among all our attempted edits upon God, we look at a portrayal that no longer looks like God.
  • For all the divergent adjustments I endeavor to make, I end up beholding not a picture of God but a reflection of me.

Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:33
  • Denying the identity of God will lead to removal from the presence of God.
  • It only makes sense that would happen since our lifelong attempts have been focused on altering His identity in the first place.
  • We must embrace who God is now in order to embrace Him forever.
  • To be received by the Christ, you will be rejected by the culture.
  • Don’t bend the Scriptures if they seem to break your system.
  • Embrace who God is rather than who you want Him to be.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18