Becoming a Resident Theologian (2)
In Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15, God indicates His standard for nobility and approval: diligent and daily examination of His Word of truth. I know the Timothy passage is written to a pastor, but that really doesn’t let any non-pastors off the hook. After all, we’re all pastors to someone; we've been called to shepherd at least one or two in the way of truth. Noble and approved men and women of God are those who spend much time in God’s Word, examining, studying, applying, and then teaching it to others.
To this end we will need to:
1. Redeem our time. Time seems scarce for us all; let’s use it well by scheduling it diligently. We’ll need to plan devotional and study time. It’ll surprise us how much time we have when we strategize its use (e.g.-we can redeem even commute time by listening to selected sermons or Scripture on tape).
2. Read more, and read more selectively. Based on your reading skills, plan out the books you’ll read for the next year (six per year for those just getting started, perhaps twelve for those further along, then go from there.) Ask a good theologian in your church for how-and-where-to-get-started advice.
3. Resource technology. Those who struggle hard with reading need not despair. Technology is God’s gift, providing audio resources galore for truth-hungry men. In today’s world, inability to read well is hardly an excuse for being a poor theologian. Start by listening to your pastor’s recorded weekly sermon at least one or two times each week. Then ask your pastors for recommended audio series.
4. Strive for theological accuracy and consistency. Don’t read and study smorgasbord style. Too many American Christians are listening and reading based on what’s hot on the Christian scene, what appeals to their tastes, or how a writer/speaker tells stories or makes them feel. Remember II Tim. 4:3, 4, and be warned. Friends, truth and time are too precious to be spending hours reading what may be appealing, but is less than fully nourishing. Seek theological accuracy and consistency in your reading. Read books and listen to series that reflect consistently sound doctrine and application. In our church, our bookstore selections and all recommended materials and ministries provide a consistent, balanced and carefully applied theology for life. There’s enough spiritual pastureland in these resources to feed men and their families for the rest of their lives.
5. Create a library and study area. Again, ask your pastors what basic book and audio resources would be valuable for you to collect into a theological library for you and your family. If possible create a study area set apart for you and the Word.
Well friends, this gets you pointed in a right direction. There's no time like the present to go hard after God and truth. Enjoy.
To this end we will need to:
1. Redeem our time. Time seems scarce for us all; let’s use it well by scheduling it diligently. We’ll need to plan devotional and study time. It’ll surprise us how much time we have when we strategize its use (e.g.-we can redeem even commute time by listening to selected sermons or Scripture on tape).
2. Read more, and read more selectively. Based on your reading skills, plan out the books you’ll read for the next year (six per year for those just getting started, perhaps twelve for those further along, then go from there.) Ask a good theologian in your church for how-and-where-to-get-started advice.
3. Resource technology. Those who struggle hard with reading need not despair. Technology is God’s gift, providing audio resources galore for truth-hungry men. In today’s world, inability to read well is hardly an excuse for being a poor theologian. Start by listening to your pastor’s recorded weekly sermon at least one or two times each week. Then ask your pastors for recommended audio series.
4. Strive for theological accuracy and consistency. Don’t read and study smorgasbord style. Too many American Christians are listening and reading based on what’s hot on the Christian scene, what appeals to their tastes, or how a writer/speaker tells stories or makes them feel. Remember II Tim. 4:3, 4, and be warned. Friends, truth and time are too precious to be spending hours reading what may be appealing, but is less than fully nourishing. Seek theological accuracy and consistency in your reading. Read books and listen to series that reflect consistently sound doctrine and application. In our church, our bookstore selections and all recommended materials and ministries provide a consistent, balanced and carefully applied theology for life. There’s enough spiritual pastureland in these resources to feed men and their families for the rest of their lives.
5. Create a library and study area. Again, ask your pastors what basic book and audio resources would be valuable for you to collect into a theological library for you and your family. If possible create a study area set apart for you and the Word.
Well friends, this gets you pointed in a right direction. There's no time like the present to go hard after God and truth. Enjoy.
Labels: Doctrine, Spiritual disciplines, Study, Theology
9 Comments:
Very encouraging and helpful information Tim. I thought I would throw my reading schedule out for what it's worth. Brian, my care group leader asked us as a group what we were reading. I try to read one good biography, now it's George Meuller. One good Systematic Theology, right now it's Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. One historical theological review, now its Murray's, "A Scottish Christian Heritage", one good series of sermons, right now it's Calvin's Sermons on Second Samuel as well as LLoyd-Jones 58 Sermons on John 4. I hope to be through these by Thanksgiving time. (Institutes I'm sure will take the rest of the year) I read a little from each every day. On deck will be my 2nd read of Packer's "Knowing God". I first read it when it was published in the early 70's. Just for fun I'm also reading from Calvin's 10 Volume "Tract's And Letter's" regarding his response on behalf of the church at Geneva to the Roman Cardinal Sadoleto regarding his invitation to the Genevans to return to the Catholic church after throwing Calvin out of Geneva. What Timarity. Calvin obliges anyway. A truely masterful letter. I also sneeked in Professor John Murray's helpful 30 page pamphlet on Covenant Theology during vacation.
Still reading through the New Testament devotionally. Trying to read Phillipians through at least 2 times a month during the series. I must confess there are days at a time that I only read from one of these. It is a forced discipline that I often fail at. At the end of the day, by purposing to read, even inconsistantly, I end up reading much more than if I didn't purpose to read at all. Probably ends up being 8 - 12 books a year.
I hope this is helpful.
I would like to hear what the rest of you are reading these days.
JR
Anonymous 2 speaking...Wow, Anonymous, now I feel awkward telling you about my "Archie Comics" passion.
Okay, only kidding.
Currently I am reading through John Owen's "Biblical Theology", and Lloyd Jones "Spiritual Depression". I just finished reading Al Mohler's "Disappearance of God." I am going through Piper's book "The Future of Justification" for the third time, to really get his argument concerning N.T. Wright's perspective of justification. This is vital. Unfortunately many are getting polluted with a distorted understanding of justification.
So then, let us praise God for such good books at our fingertips.
Oh, I have the Amazon Kindle that was given to me as a gift. A great tool to have immediate access to many great books.
Hey anonymous 2, be carefull with NT Wright. He is a brilliant thinker in many areas. When it comes to the "New Perspective" on Paul, he can be very persuasive but wrong. I lost respect for him because of that.
JR
Who is Anonymous 2? Are you the previously identified Anonymous 2, or a new Anonymous 2?
No need for anonymous...
Tom C.
Fear not, when I read N.T. wrights view of justification I had all sorts of alarms go off. I then read Piper's argument in His book.
He clearly sets Wright where he belongs on this topic. N.T. WRONG
Along with all the good suggestions above, I certainly would not want Calvin...and Hobbes omitted from our reading lists; or PG Wodehouse either.
C and H are good for philosophy' Wodehouse is good for sheer humor. Both are good medicine for the soul.
Also i'd concur with others that a balance of reading that takes in a mix of theology, biography, Christian living, church history, etc is a good way to go.
TMS
Thanks Tom. Just like to know who is anonymous.
How do you like your Kindle? Thinking about getting it but not sure if I can handle not having the feel and smell of a real book. Although regarding the smell aspect, I guess I could try this:
http://smellofbooks.com/aromas/new-book-smell/
Tim----welcome back!
Hi Bruce,
The kindle is great for me. It is also quite useful for taking notes,highlighting, etc...
I must admit, I miss the hard copy, no question about that. My books get very comfortably worn in.
However, the immediate access for study without waiting for delivery is itself a great aspect. And for me, the notetaking and footnoting are helping me to have organized notes.
See you this weekend.
Blessings.
Tom, look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
JR, excellent full-orbed, well rounded reading plan. A good example of a pattern to shoot for if we are taking Tim's call to pursue being a resident theologian seriously, a pursuit that you obviously take very seriously yourself.
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