On What Authority Do You Determine Your Theology?
The Process of Making a Wise, Theological Opinion – Part 2

Both in typical conversations and in daily living, as followers of Christ, we must make continual decisions based upon what we understand honors the Lord, which is what I refer to in this article as the process of making a wise, theological opinion. In so doing, at times, good people differ on what honors the Lord. Not every decision or theological position presents itself as abundantly clear from the text. Other believers in Christ take differing positions which begin to muddy up the water.

Without any question, what used to seem like clear, middle-of-the-road, mainstream evangelical positions now inhabit a much smaller piece of the theological landscape. In addition to these long-standing issues, new issues crowd the landscape as well. Consider some of these issues:

  • Can a Christian get remarried after a divorce?
  • Should a Christian use birth control?
  • Can a woman be ordained or pastor in a church?
  • Can a woman teach in the gathered assembly in a church?
  • What should a Christian think of CRT and being woke?
  • What about reparations?

Determining what to think and how we should live which both honors God and loves our neighbors takes much effort. The process of making a wise, theological opinion requires effort. The two Great Commandments work together to help motivate us to get these important decisions right.

What Authority Underlies One’s Position?

For a theological position related to the meaning of particular verses, the substance of a particular theology, or the practical application of a particular principle, the hope and ultimate veracity of a person’s position is determined by the authority underlying the argument. The authority for the believer must be God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16-17; cf., Ps 19:7-9; 119:98-100, 104). True wisdom and discretion begin with God’s perspective (Prov 1:2-7).

The authority issue is a foundational issue in theological discussion. Whatever you base your claims on matters. Therefore, the process of making a wise, theological opinion becomes important.

The Process of Making a Wise, Theological Opinion

One’s opinion, thought, or action always rests upon some belief. That particular belief depends upon some authority. Often, the authority used to determine one’s opinion, thought, or action disappears into the background of the conversation, is implicit, and usually understated. Therefore, the process one goes through to determine his or her position becomes vital.

In yesterday’s post, we considered step one. Today, we discuss the second step toward a clear, biblically faithful, theologically accurate position or opinion.

Step One: Be Aware of False, Potential Authorities for Theological Opinions / Arguments

As those who desire to honor God in our lives, we must think carefully through the process of making a theological opinion / argument based upon God’s Word as the authority over against other false, potential authorities for Christian living, such as Personal Experience, Personal Opinion and Logic, Empirical Research, and Culture. (We discussed this yesterday here.) Although important to an overall conversation, each of these other four categories fail as authorities for theological opinion. Over against God’s Word, if these function as the authority, then the Bible or God’s opinion will be subjugated to these other false sources of truth. Each of these categories of false authorities must submit to God’s Word as the authority, not vice versa.

God’s Word must functionally rule the decision-making process as one considers a theological position or opinion. Anything less than this places God as secondary.

Consider this clear example:

In a recent article defending their book Reparations from a theological evaluation in Kevin DeYoung’s book review, the authors stated:

“This one simple a priori methodological decision allows him—as it allowed his theological forebearers—to simply ignore the historical, sociological, and economic realities that serve as the primary justification for reparations.” (emphasis in original)

As Neil Shenvi so clearly pointed out in his assessment of their defense, to claim a theological evaluation is inappropriate since theology is not the primary justification for one’s position is, at best, dangerous. Their assessment:

Consequently, it is exceptionally dangerous to wave away theological objections on the grounds that our practices have some other, non-theological justification. Imagine dismissing the question of whether it is theologically appropriate to worship idols on the grounds that we have good sociological reasons to worship idols! (emphasis in original)

Step Two: Work through a Specific, Faithful Theological Process

In order to reach a clear, biblically faithful, theologically accurate, practically helpful position, one needs to answer the following five questions in this order:

What Does the Text Mean?

Theological inquiry must start here, “What does the text mean?”

Here, the Christian approaches the text with honest questions as to what it means. As one does, careful attention is given to context, word choice, parts of speech, and order of the word choice. The goal is to determine the one meaning of the original author which is anchored in the context of the particular book of the Bible, text in the book, and inside a particular historical context. This looks primarily at the passage at hand.

All theological inquiry must start here. The question, What does the text mean?, refers to exegetical theology.

What Does the Text Mean in Relationship to…

The second question to ask, “What does the text mean in relationship to…?”

This question relates to what is known as biblical theology. The idea is to determine how the text being considered relates to other key areas of biblical inquiry and thought. Essentially, this question helps the Christian study this individual text as it relates to its author, the historical development of the Bible during a given period, and its place in the Bible. For example, special emphasis will be given to the development of a thought in the particular book, studying the author’s use of the term (such as Pauline literature, etc.), the genre (such as Historical Book, Major Prophets, Gospels, Epistles), and which Testament (Old versus New). At this step, one begins to recognize specific theological principles from the text related to categories of theology.

The goal in answering this question is to understand what the primary text of inquiry means inside a narrow but expanded context.

How Does this Text Fit in My Understanding of the Rest of Scripture?

The third question to ask, “How does this text fit in my understanding of the rest of the Scripture?”

This question relates to what is known as systematic theology. After exploring the immediate text (exegetical theology) and an expanded inquiry (biblical theology), then one begins to consider how the meaning of this particular text helps our understanding of the entire Bible’s teaching on key areas. Usually, these areas are divided among nine areas of doctrine: the Bible, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Man, Sin, Salvation, the Church, and End Times. At this point, one would want to know how this text’s meaning better develops the greater understanding of theology in a particular area. Special attention is given to places where it may seem contradictory to everything else in the Bible. If that is the case, it may be meritorious to repeat questions one and two to look for any errors, omissions, or misunderstandings.

The goal in answering this question is to understand how this primary text of inquiry fits inside one’s greater systematic theology.

What Have Others Throughout Church History Said about This Text?

The fourth question to ask, “What have others throughout church history said about this text?”

This question relates to what is known as historic theology. Using various tools available beginning with a quality study Bible, look for key contributions of those throughout church history related to the particular passage of inquiry. At this stage, you do not need to be an expert in church history; instead, simply check quality resources related to your passage. Where there has been extensive discussion, you can expect to find evidence of that discussion in those key resources. At that point, you may want to explore key findings. Often this is the fruit of higher theological education and can be best gleaned in research for the majority of us considering a particular issue.

The goal in answering this question is to understand how the meaning of this primary text of inquiry has been viewed and considered throughout church history.

How Should I Respond? So What?

The fifth question to ask, “How should I respond? So what?”

This question relates to what is known as practical theology. Once you determine what the primary text means in relationship to its immediate context (exegetical theology), what it means in relationship to its expanded context (biblical theology), how it relates in meaning to what the Bible teaches (systematic theology), and how it has been viewed throughout church history (historical theology), then you are ready to begin asking practical questions for how you should respond to it. You never ask practical questions of your text until you get past the other areas of inquiry. Until you know what the text means, you cannot apply it your every day living. Let me rephrase that for you, until you have determined the exact meaning of the passage of inquiry, you cannot move forward to apply it to your thinking, attitude, communication, or behavior.

The goal in answering this question is to understand how this primary text of inquiry applies to the way that you live for the glory and honor of God as one who strives to become like Jesus Christ, which is humanity’s purpose.

At This Point, You Are Ready to Discuss Key Areas of Controversy

Once you have challenged the authority for your position to determine whether or not it is the Bible (step one) and asked key questions of particular text to determine its meaning and application (step two), now you are ready to discuss key areas of controversy. Without carefully working through these two steps, one must not make definitive statements regarding controversial issues. Prior to working through these two steps, as followers of Christ who desire God’s opinion most and honoring Him, we simply are not prepared to say what is accurate or not. Most of us get these answers as we listen to our pastors teach and preach through various passages. If you are not a pastor or teacher, then most often you get to hear (or read from sites like kevincarson.com) the fruit of this study. However, if you are a pastor or teacher (or writer), then you must work your way through these steps in order to remain faithful to God and those who should profit from your ministry.

 

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