While preparing for this month's theology discussion on the Holy Spirit, I was reminded again of one of my pet peeves when it comes to theology: people basing their theological beliefs on experiences, not Scripture. So many times I've been discussing or debating some theological issue and someone has brought up an experience they or someone they know has had. Certainly experiences can help shed light on certain situations, but are no basis for theological positions. The church and our own beliefs must stand on Scripture alone (one of the major issues of the Reformation), not what we have experienced aside from Scripture.
Experiences can be a very dangerous guide when it comes to theology. In my opinion, this leads to a lot of the bad theology out there. Someone will assume since their friend had a certain experience, then that makes it a theologically sound experience, as opposed to testing all things against Scripture to determine whether or not it is sound. We are commanded in Titus 1:9 to encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. If we have no solid foundation on which to base these beliefs, then how can we be expected to encourage or refute? What is my experience is valid to me, but maybe not to you... that leads down the slippery slope of relativism and away from absolute truth.
Thankfully, God has given us the Bible. So, let's use it- not just to read and listen to it preached but to mold and shape our theology, decisions, lifestyle, politics, relationships, etc. We have the ultimate source of Truth right in front of us... don't be afraid to use it and hold fast to it.
-JRO
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2 comments:
I think somebody has turned into a blog whore :) I have much catching up to do. We should chat about this post sometime. I think experience is one of the ways that God communicates with us, and it shouldn't be downplayed. I have a book by Charles Stanley called How to Listen to God that talks about that (and other means, including of course the Bible and the Holy Spirit) that God uses for communication. One thing the book really focuses on is how to use biblical guidelines to help distinguish God's voice from others around you (which may have been what you MEANT when you said not to place too much value on just the experience alone ;)
I've written more about your blog than I have for the newspaper this week. That could become a problem :)
Guilty as charged I suppose... this blogging has become quite addictive.
I'd love to chat on this topic at some point; I'd like to find out a little bit more about your perspective on it.
I didn't mean to invalidate experience totally in life; just to discount it in terms of theological beliefs. What I had in mind is something like this: someone says that my friend claims to have received a 2nd blessing of the Spirit, so therefore I will believe in this, without testing it against Scripture. Or, God healed someone I know, so I'm going to expect Him to heal me too.
Both of these represent experiences, not Biblically-backed beliefs. We need to base our theology on Scripture, not what we or others around us may think or feel.
Now, in terms of God speaking and guidance... that's another several blog entries; perhaps for another time.
Well, you may not have written much for the paper today, but I did notice you got a nice spot on the top of the front page today :-)
-JRO
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