How many times have you found yourself in a debate over theology? Maybe you’re not a pastor, so it doesn’t happen that often to you. But it happens pretty often in circles I run in. And my guess is, even if you don’t think you’re having theological discussions on a regular basis, you really are.
There are a lot of different theological views out there. Arminian. Reformed. Calvinist. Lutheran. Catholic. And more.
This may feel controversial to you, but my aim in this post is to convince you that your theology is not the most important thing.
*gasp*
We think it is. And it’s important, for sure. But it’s not the most important thing. We’ve elevated it over the most important thing. We’ve given supremacy to our theology and made the important thing secondary. When our theology should be secondary to the most important thing.
What’s the most important thing? What the Bible ACTUALLY says.
Too often, we approach scripture with our theology colored glasses on. And instead of seeking to understand what the Bible says, our aim is to make the words of scripture fit within our theology.
We wouldn’t admit to this, but that’s exactly what we do.
Our theology tells us something is right or wrong. So, we go to the Bible looking for verses that prove our stance. And we can be successful at finding quite a few of them too.
But, what do we do when we find those verses that don’t prove our stance? This is the prime question.
When something from scripture doesn’t fit with what we believe about our faith, do we adjust our belief or do we try to adjust what the Bible says?
I’m afraid, that more often than not, we adjust what the Bible says to fit within our framework of our theological system.
My challenge to you, the next time you’re reading scripture and you come across a passage that seems to contradict what you believe, read it again. And again. And again. Cross reference. Look up what the words mean in a Bible dictionary. Seek counsel. Ask people who agree with you and people who disagree with you.
And if it doesn’t fit with what you believe. Adjust your belief to the Bible.
Don’t let your theology colored glasses affect how you interpret scripture. Always adjust your theology to what scripture says.
