|
 Gospel
preachers are not theologians — in the “bad” sense: giving
undue attention to critical studies or systematic dogma, at the
expense of practical evangelization — or even in a “good”
blending of such studies in a methodical formulation of the “why”
and “wherefore” of our preaching. Most of us have no formal
training in such, and if we ascribe to a particular “school”
of theology, it is coincidence — more stumbled upon in the
course of Bible study than accepted as such, or used to develop
further conclusions. This is as it should be. We are thus left
unfettered by creeds and “systems” that force interpretation
of scripture into prescribed channels.
But
gospel preachers like books: reference books, word studies,
commentaries, and even theological studies — “to get a fresh
view.” And if we could get these books from a discount house,
at about half price, we might stock our library with material
slanted in one particular theological channel, train our
thinking down that path, and reach some very erroneous
conclusions. The bent of our library will affect us most in
fields of study where we have the poorest developed “theology”
of our own — re: the Holy Spirit, the nature of man,
redemption, and judgement. (With good reason we have emphasized
the particulars of such matters, but have not analyzed the “philosophy”
of them. We would likely reject a particular error — “a
still small voice” — while we accept a Greek “word study”
that is colored by the same basic error.)
Now
maybe you do not attach this much significance to the books you
read, but book
|
|
sellers know their potential impact. A
recent RBDH bulletin says, “When the Lord
provides the place and the people to man it, then He moves on
your heart to provide the money. LISTEN TO HIM: we trust you
will hear Him say to you, Help RBDH to start their Houston
oasis, thus obeying My command to feed My sheep!” And again,
“If you folks down in the Chicago area will each give ‘is a
little publicity by your word-of- mouth advertising, we’ll get
this one up and doing the work of the Lord in sufficient
abundance to have an impact on Chicago- land.”
This
is not an indictment of books nor a suggestion that one should
not buy commentaries from RBDH or other sectarian book stores.
Brethren are selling these same books, often at higher prices. I
am sounding a warning about loading ones library with
Calvinistic theology; or, for that matter, with books dominated
by any single systematic dogma of man. We are “conservative”
“fundamental” and “evangelical” in the broad sense, so
we naturally turn to this field for most of our books. But these
terms are very broad, and cover a multitude of errors. Don’t
allow yourself to be brainwashed.
In
the final analysis there is no substitute for your own study of
the Bible. In my Bible I have pasted short quotation: “The
best sermons like poems, are born, not made. They are most
likely to spring up when the minister is reading the Bible.”
Fill yourself with God’s word, until His truth overflows upon
your hearers.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
