Afterwords -- week 45
October 29, 2022
Dear friends,
I don't normally like my picture being taken. But I'm okay with the photo above, taken by my wife (furtively) on a recent hike at nearby Price Mountain. We have enjoyed such a spectacular display of beauty this fall in the New River valley, and on these crisp autumn days we want to be out drinking in the beauty of God's creation.
Which, of course, leads me to the topic of theology. :) I love the doctrines of God's word, and when I say something like this, people tend to think I'm an abstract, heady sort of person, and that I like speculating about impractical theological stuff. Nothing could be further from the truth. I find that I'm attracted to the beauty and truth and goodness of God's word. And doctrine is simply a distillation of those truths. These truths are real and relevant, and beautiful like the many colorful leaves of autumn. As Martin Luther once said, "Doctrine is heaven." One of my theology professors in seminary would get tearful when talking about biblical truth. He said sometimes others would chide him for being emotional, and for "wearing his theology on his sleeve." He said, "If I can't wear my theology on my sleeve, what good is it?"
THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS? In our biblical studies class (systematic theology) we recently studied a chapter on why God allowed evil to enter his creation. "Theodicy" is the term we use to talk about defending God's plan for this universe, which includes the sin of humans and angels. How do we justify his creating a world where evil exists? Part of this discussion involves what another seminary professor of mine used to say, "This is not the best of all possible worlds, but the best way to the best of all possible worlds" (Norman Geisler). The point is, without the fall of angels and men, there are a number of things we would never know about or experience. We would never know about God's judgment, about justice, about mercy, about sacrifice, and about forgiveness. There are a host of virtues that are only seen in context of a fallen world, such as, faithfulness in trial, courage in battle, self-denial, patience in adversity, mercy toward those who do not deserve it, and compassion toward the weak and wounded. It is in this world (this age) that we learn to trust God by faith and not by sight. Without the background of a dark and fallen world we would never know God's grace and forgiveness.
One big application for me is that in this life, and only in this life, do I have an arena where I can walk by faith, fight to overcome sin, deal with sorrows and fears, and show compassion and forgiveness to others. This helps me not to resent facing trials, sorrows, difficulties, and the battle against sin. I can do this because I am on a God-ordained path, and it's the best way to get me to the best of all possible worlds.
EXPERIENCING THE TRINITY. Many people would say that the doctrine of the God's three-in-oneness, the Trinity, is merely an abstract speculation, or a church invention, having no bearing on spiritual life. Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck makes the case that belief in the Trinity is a vital part of every Christian's experience. Read more here.
DISMISSING JESUS. Why do people so casually ignore Jesus and his claims? Here's a post I wrote recently about the great danger of rejecting Jesus.
FINAL QUOTE. "Fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith are more than just a backpack on the journey, something optional to carry along with us in case we need them. Instead, they’re more like the map that makes clear our destination, warns us away from dead-ends, and orients us to the landscape, helping us interpret our current moment and walk forward as faithful sojourners." -- Trevin Wax, The Thrill of Orthodoxy, as quoted here.
That's it for week 45!
Sandy
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.