History is Theology’s Laboratory

[RedTent]

I just read this interesting statement and wonder what all you posters think of it? I have heard two sides. Some say that they read only scripture for learning. I think that is very good. God created us, created our world, no one knows the absolute truth of it but God.

On the other hand we can see how God works in our world through history. I found that I could spot mistakes made in understanding by looking back. I traced the killing of Jews in early times to Constantine’s finalizing the idea of Judaism as all against God, of all things! It seemed clear that killing was wrong! My mentors told me to always look at every scripture on a subject so it is the entire picture of any God principle. History taught me of the pitfalls of not doing that.

I read of people who learn lots of the “isms” of bible interpretation. Lutheranism, Calvinism, or of Augustine. I am most unimpressed. Should I be listening to them?

So I found history good for learning of God, and yet that no book teaches truth like scripture. What do you think?

 

[enochson]

The frist false "ism" the bible is about two adams the frist and the second and we are birth by both of them by there acts. It's not about man. man is because of them.

 

[edward99]

I just read this interesting statement and wonder what all you posters think of it? I have heard two sides. Some say that they read only scripture for learning. I think that is very good. God created us, created our world, no one knows the absolute truth of it but God.

On the other hand we can see how God works in our world through history. I found that I could spot mistakes made in understanding by looking back. I traced the killing of Jews in early times to Constantine’s finalizing the idea of Judaism as all against God, of all things! It seemed clear that killing was wrong! My mentors told me to always look at every scripture on a subject so it is the entire picture of any God principle. History taught me of the pitfalls of not doing that.

I read of people who learn lots of the “isms” of bible interpretation. Lutheranism, Calvinism, or of Augustine. I am most unimpressed. Should I be listening to them?

So I found history good for learning of God, and yet that no book teaches truth like scripture. What do you think?

I think it's critical to study History.
If you can still find it.

 

[SantoSubito]

It's always critical to study history. One mistake modern people always make is refusing to listen to ancient writers because we think we're smarter than them, when in reality we're not. St. John Chrysostom for example had a theological intellect that none of us here can rival and the same goes for St. Thomas Aquinas.

 

[Abiding]

i see Historians making just as big of an error with how they interpret history as they do interpreting the Word of God.
Church history can be spun as well as any text of scripture. And has been.....take your pick it comes in many flavors,
even the one you say you pray for and call your own.

 

[NinJaGGS]

I believe the bible is not a book of "facts" but a book of truths, it has multiple levels of depth that speak to us on different channels.
I don't believe one can look to the bible to dispute "facts" or scientific theory because the holy scripture speaks beyond the world of the mind, beyond facts.
History is interesting, providing a context for the events described mystically and truthfully.
For instance how the language has changed, how connotation has shifted, how cultures mixed with christianity, how early heresy in the orthodox church is corrected in the letters of paul, it is very interesting.