It is important that we continue to study Christian theology, because Paul warns us in II Timothy 4:3 saying, “the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
Theological education is seen as a waste of time by many people. They look at the education as a delay to mission field. But we must know that the kingdom if God is like Precious treasure and the pearls of gospel should not be handled by the inefficient (Matthew7:6, 13:44-46). Many people say that 12 disciples never went to any seminary. However I see that they spent four years in the best “seminary” ever under the best Teacher Jesus himself. The lord chose Moses to deliver his people who had received the best education in Pharaoh’s palace. The best missionary ever, Paul, took 14 years to prepare for the mission field besides studying the law under the expert teacher Gamaliel. Theological education is not to make biblical terms complicated but to learn to simplify them for a lay person. Having theological education not only teaches a person to explain the scriptures but it gives an opportunity to know the views of the great men and women of God who have gone ahead of us. It gives a person enough time to learn and apply the truth of the Word of God in a broader sense, this is how the Lord can use the foolishness of a fool to shame the wise. And Gospel is simple enough for even an uneducated person to understand. But when Paul tells us not to hurry to be teachers, he is clearly telling to take enough time to learn before we start teaching others. Theological education is not just the exegetical study of The Bible. But in all the theological institutes and seminaries add many other subjects like church history, systematic theology and study of different religions. Theological education gives a broader and updated approach to many subjects discussed in bible. Paul tells in 2 Timothy 2:2 to entrust the things he has heard to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach to others. 1Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to answer everyone who asks the reason for the hope we have. It is better to take time to be ready then to haste and become a reason for somebody to stumble with our unprepared answer of our faith.
Theological education for women is another matter, which needs our focus. Many times this question arises that when they are not to be ordained as the pastors or teachers why should they study theology? A country like India where it took many centuries to convenience the society for literacy for women, it is really hard for women to get theological education. But we should never forget that mothers are the first and foremost teachers for their children. Theological education helps her to train her children in a godly way and blesses her husband by helping him fulfilling the ministerial responsibilities.
In short theological education is like learning to use the double edged sword - the Word of God. Pastors and teachers are not only the people who need to learn this but every Christian because we all face the attack from the enemy everyday in our spiritual battle.
Saying all this I understand that not everybody is able to go to seminary but theological books written by great men of faith our great Christian heritage and we can be benefited from them no matter who we are. There are many books written on the different theological topics. One of the simplest I could recommend is “Systematic theology Made Simple” written by Rev. Anup Arun Hiwale, it keeps the purity of scripture and still carries the simplicity of biblical doctrines for a lay person to understand.
Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment