WHAT IS WRONG WITH BEING A BIBLE SCHOLAR?
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Just to define our terms, a Bible scholar is a believer in the Lord Jesus who has chosen to learn more, and deeply, about the Bible. It could be through a formal Bible school, university, or just individual research. In simple terms: a Bible scholar is a student of the Bible. Similarly, a theologian is a believer who has taken time to study deeply about God (Theos=God. Logos=word/ to study). Hence anyone who studies, teaches and writes about God is a theologian.
So, back to our question again: what’s wrong with these types of people?
What does the Bible say?
“Too much Bible will make you like a Pharisee” is actually found nowhere in the Word of God. Surprised? Do not be. On the contrary, the Bible again and again calls believers to “Study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15). “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly… but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night.” (Psa 1:1-2). “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col 3:16). “From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). In a nutshell, God would prefer us (all believers) to be Bible scholars. Not the other way round. Think of it like this: do you think something as beautiful as knowing God through His Word—having it dwelling richly within your soul—has negative effects on your Christian life? I disagree with everything that is within me.
Benefits of being a theologian
1.) It gives clarity – I would be very surprised if there is any believer who is okay with worshipping a God they do not know about. We are all expected to understand the basics of our faith: God who? Jesus who? Salvation why and how? Such questions cannot be answered unless through a diligent, carefully, disciplined, intentional examination of what the Bible says about that subject. The end result is we get to clearly understand those topics. In turn, your doubts are resolved, your critics are silenced and your faith can have assurance that what you believe is true. That is what Christian theologians have dedicated their lives to do. They do the dirty jobs of digging through the riches of the Word of God on your behalf.
2.) It enhances our spiritual man (sanctification) - Consider this again: do you really think the more you study the Word of God, the more you will be a bad Christian? Certainly not! In fact, there is no higher insult to the God of Scripture than that. The Bible, studied, understood and applied to our lives saves us, sanctifies us, disciples, rebukes, grows and matures. The words, “verses will not help us” are blasphemous to the Spirit-inspired sacred Text. You need more Bible knowledge, not less. This idea that you only need a few verses to go by; to hop, skip and jump across the pages of the Bible; plucking verses out of context, is the reason we are in this mess in Africa in terms of strange practices in the name of Christianity. We need to know the full package of the written Word; what it means in its historical, grammatical, and Christ-centred context. Then we can properly apply it to our lives for the benefit of our souls.
We are all theologians
In simpler terms, theology is a pursuit of the knowledge of God. Every Christian has an idea in their mind about who God is, not only that, they are presently learning to know more about Him. That is being a theologian. Christians are disciples of Jesus. Their life-long vocation is to learn from him and follow his teachings. All that is part of theology. The only question is: are you a good or a bad theologian? So next time, before you gnash your teeth at the so-called “Bible scholars”, start by looking in the mirror, because you are one of them.
We live theology every day
Again, when you read your Bible (theology) and seek to apply that Bible to your life, you are living that theology. Therefore, even though you do not realise it, you do theology in every area of your life: school, work, marriage, parenting—everything! That is the reason we must be diligent to know the Scriptures so we can properly transfer that life-changing truth to the way we live.
Debunking myths about theologians
#They have no Holy Spirit - It is disturbing that these days, when someone (or church) is not showing any sort of emotional drama in their worship of God, they are automatically defined as “dead” and having no Spirit. Not so. As we have already taught on this platform, the Holy Spirit is not emotions, but He is consistent with the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, it’s not true that Bible Scholars are dead or probably not saved. Nor is it correct that “too much knowledge” quenches the work of the Spirit. To the contrary, we are sanctified by the Word (Joh 17:17).
#Theology has no practical application - I hope I have already explained that the way we live is a direct consequence of what we know. In fact, there is much emphasis in Scripture for God’s people to be sober-minded (theologically grounded) because that is the only way they can make sound decisions in every area of their lives.
#Theologians claim to know it all - This is also a common objection. That is, a believer should not seek to know his Bible because “knowledge puffs up” and makes them mean and arrogant and critical. Firstly, we all have our individual flaws; theologian or not. However, all those flaws (pride in this case) are not a result of the knowledge they have attained. Bible truth is not responsible for creating arrogance, but their own application of that truth and the condition of that person’s heart is where the problem is. Anything good can be abused. Therefore, we should not discourage people from gaining Bible knowledge in the name of pride; instead, we should seek truth with all our might and allow that truth to do its work of humility and Christlikeness.
Also, I have realised that some people do not like believers who know their Bibles because such people cannot be easily deceived. They can even point out false doctrine wherever it is found. Everyone would prefer that you were gullible so they can manipulate you. That is the problem that many have with theologians.
Do you know that the Bible you carry today is a result of biblical Scholarship? God raised men of sound mind who sacrificed much to study and research until they produced the Christian literature that benefits all of us today. Tell me then: should you not be grateful that God raised such men? Another thing, there is nothing like “too much Bible knowledge.” Scripture is so infinite in its wisdom that you will count all the stars in the sky before you can exhaust its riches. Therefore, go ahead and study your Bible 24/7. Your mind will not melt. Africa needs Biblical men. Who, like Ezra, will dedicate their lives to studying the law of God, to practice it and to proclaim it (Ezra 7:10). Be one of them.
Sinothi Ncube
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