Studying Theology

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LookingforLight

Junior Member
Dec 14, 2016
12
3
3
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...

First, stop and relax. Get a "theological vacation" and do sports, play games, go for walks :)

After you get some new strength, choose just one topic in a time, google various views on this topic, write it down, study it for youself with the Bible, decide what you think is the most probable one.

Then you can take another one topic :)
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...

It all comes from a failure to rightly divide the word of truth. There are divisions to be made in Scripture to be right doctrinally. Remember, the entire Bible is written for us, but not all of it is written to us. There are three groups who the Bible addresses: the Jew, the Gentile and the Church of God(1 Corinthians 10:32). Most of the Bible is written to the nation of Israel. Paul's thirteen epistles specifically address the Gentile age and the doctrines thereof.
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...

You will hate it here then. The Bible Discussion Forum is like an MMA battle royale with people doing exactly what you're complaining about. Good luck finding answers among these barbarians.
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes .....
When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...

You were on the right path. Go back to it!
 
Thank you all for taking the time te reply. It's not that I can't handle discussion of various topics. What troubles me is when it comes to accusing someone of being saved or not.
It disturbs me because then I question my own salvation (which I am normally quite sure of) and then I doubt my own capability to witness to my unsaved family because what if I'm wrong? I love Jesus and the Word so much and I desperately desire those I love to be saved. In my mind these two are hinged together. And I have lost much time thinking on these things.
 
LookingforLight said:
Thank you all for taking the time te reply. It's not that I can't handle discussion of various topics. What troubles me is when it comes to accusing someone of being saved or not.
It disturbs me because then I question my own salvation (which I am normally quite sure of) and then I doubt my own capability to witness to my unsaved family because what if I'm wrong? I love Jesus and the Word so much and I desperately desire those I love to be saved. In my mind these two are hinged together. And I have lost much time thinking on these things.
Click to expand...

If you believe in the apostles creed of faith:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed

and somebody tells you you are not saved because of some theological issue, he is a very stupid person and you do not have to lose your time with him.
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...
Been there. Done that. Got over it.

Theology -- the study of God.

What you're studying is the arguments in Christianity. Get off the merry-go-round and get back to THEology. Study God's word.

15-20 years to figure out just that much. lol
 
trofimus said:
First, stop and relax. Get a "theological vacation" and do sports, play games, go for walks :)

After you get some new strength, choose just one topic in a time, google various views on this topic, write it down, study it for youself with the Bible, decide what you think is the most probable one.

Then you can take another one topic :)
Click to expand...
Why study a topic, when she can study God?

Look at this forum! It's full of "topics." Rarely does it deal with God himself! God is merely a by-product of topics. Something we pretend the topic is about.
 
LookingforLight said:
Thank you all for taking the time te reply. It's not that I can't handle discussion of various topics. What troubles me is when it comes to accusing someone of being saved or not.
It disturbs me because then I question my own salvation (which I am normally quite sure of) and then I doubt my own capability to witness to my unsaved family because what if I'm wrong? I love Jesus and the Word so much and I desperately desire those I love to be saved. In my mind these two are hinged together. And I have lost much time thinking on these things.
Click to expand...
Then study God's word. He tells you what you need to know.
 
LookingforLight said:
Thank you all for taking the time te reply. It's not that I can't handle discussion of various topics. What troubles me is when it comes to accusing someone of being saved or not.
It disturbs me because then I question my own salvation (which I am normally quite sure of) and then I doubt my own capability to witness to my unsaved family because what if I'm wrong? I love Jesus and the Word so much and I desperately desire those I love to be saved. In my mind these two are hinged together. And I have lost much time thinking on these things.
Click to expand...

You're just like my wife - she just loves, loves, loves, ... , loves God and Jesus. God converted me through her abounding love, despite the fact that she's hopeless at theology.
 
Hi Lynn, thanks for the cut to the chase kind of advice! This sounds a lot like what my husband tells me! I'll be the first to admit my mind does often operate like a merry-go-round. 15-20 years is along time, I'm glad you saved me some time lol.
 
LookingforLight said:
Well at least I'm not the only one. Thank you!
Click to expand...
There are somethings that we can't get wrong that are basic to the faith, like the deity of Christ, the Triune nature of God, salvation by grace, justification by faith and that the Word is correct in it's original manuscripts. Which all points to Jesus, when you brake it down. When ever studying the Scriptures always keep them in context. When I've study Theology through different books, I always read the verses they refer to in it's context, to see if in fact I see the same thing. Reading some of the old theologians can be inspiring what what they say about God. His grace and mercy, it's a lot more inspirational when you discover it for yourself or experience for yourself.

A study of sin, brought me to a place of the fear of the Lord, when I cried out to Him, I experienced His grace and mercy like I never had, it was/is life changing. I truly think that sticking to Jesus is the best way. When we desire more we will go through ups and downs. God Bless.
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...

The "cake takers" and "workers for" make it complicated with all of their do's and don'ts .....no worries...just trust JESUS and read/study the word diligently and God will lead you into the truth.....for sure do not be removed from the simplicity that is found in JESUS....!
 
LookingforLight said:
Hi Lynn, thanks for the cut to the chase kind of advice! This sounds a lot like what my husband tells me! I'll be the first to admit my mind does often operate like a merry-go-round. 15-20 years is along time, I'm glad you saved me some time lol.
Click to expand...
Once you get to my age, 15-20 years feels like last year. lol
 
LookingforLight said:
Hello all,
I'm new to this, but I was wondering if anyone else experiences what I do when studying theology. Sometimes I become overwhelmed on all the different takes on different doctrines. I have encountered even some that say of you don't believe in such and such then how can you be saved (I'm not talked about central doctrines), for example the whole predestination and free will argument or the cessationist and continuationism arguments. It really frustrates me because I have a desire to know things for certain. Anyone else experience similar things? How do handle it if you do? When I first was saved I fell in love with Jesus and the simplicity of the gospel but now it feels so complicated.
Click to expand...
The way I look at it, we can make it simple or we can make it complicated. We make it simple by obeying the Lord's commandments. We make it complicated when we don't obey the Lord commandments. I recommend obeying the Lord's commandments. If you do that, what is there to worry about?
 
I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my post. It all reminded me to simply put my trust in God and His Word first and foremost. None of us will have the full picture in the lifetime anyway, and I have to be content with what we do know for sure.
 
LookingforLight said:
I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my post. It all reminded me to simply put my trust in God and His Word first and foremost. None of us will have the full picture in the lifetime anyway, and I have to be content with what we do know for sure.
Click to expand...
Don't forget what Paul told us: Pray constantly (1 Thess 5:17).
 
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