Haughty, Haughty, Haughty

Theologians have their place. I am not at all sure where it is, but they surely have one.

After all, we need people who can define the minutia of the meanings of God's word for us, the various aspects of the nature of God and how we should apply it to our lives.

We need some folks who can do the work that the Holy Spirit of God cannot do for us, Him being so small and all. We need educated men and women who can keep us straight.

As an example, there are grave mistakes on the part of the "average" Christian with regard to baptism.

(For the purposes of this dissertation, let us asume that we all read the same Bible in one or the other of its various translations and that we have read the related passages. If you haven't, go read them before partaking of this post.)

Some say you cannot be a "good" Christian unless you have been baptised. Others contend that baptism is a part of what actually saves you. Then there are those who see baptism as symbolic, but necessary, while some see it as not really important, but not a bad "religious" thing to do.

Some say infant baptism is valid, others claim it is not.

Some see an imagined "age of accountability," while others seem to think that if you are "raised a Chritian" you must be one, baptism or not.

For the record, here is what I believe:

Baptism does not save. Baptism is an ordinance. Baptism is a testimony to what God has done in one's life through Christ. Baptism is a "reinactment" by a Christian of Christ's death, burial and resurrection (in infant baptism, and/or sprinkling, where is the burial part?). Baptism is a "should be done," not a "must be done." (For the unititiated, those are deep theological phrases.) The proper form of baptism is imersian, because that is how Jesus was baptised (I know...I saw it in a picture.) Other forms may serve as memorials, but don't call them "baptism."

That is my story, and I'm sticking with it. I'm 63 years old, have studied God's word every day for 45 of those years and am not about to change my mind. (Don't bother quoting scripture verses to me, I have already read them. )

If you do not hold to my view, you are abviously missing something. Certainly someone as smart as you can see that I'm right.

But it's OK. This is America. You have the right to be wrong.

Fortunately, we have theologians to set us straight.

Right.

There are as many "theological" points of view as there are theologs to hold them.

As a theologian, you can be a St. Augustianian, you can be a Spurgeanite, you can be a Calvanist, you can be a Lutheranite, or even a Benny Hennian...well, you get the idea.

The problem arises when we discover that each school vigorously defends its own postition, and discussions with them result in confusion and sometimes even anger.

So how does that relate to the unity among His followers for which Christ prayed in John 17?

Now what I am about to say is designed to incite.

My experience with "theologians" has not been good. They almost always at least border on arrogance. They accept viewpoints only from other "theologians." Having "studied" theology, they know the answers and the rest of us don't.

Theologians see themselves as having insights that most of us don't. Nevermind that they were "taught" their theology by someone who had the same approach.

Theologians are universally defensive.

While I have met some theologians who were wildly liberal in their social viewpoints. I have met some theololgians who were ultra-conservative. I have never met one who said, "You know...you're right. I had never considered that before. Now I need to adjust my thinking."

But they all want me to adopt their line of thinking (Truth be known, they don't give a running flip what I think.)

So. If you are a self-proclaimed theologian, you are probably steamed by now. Pity.

And now, in violation of my own rules about quoting scripture (but this is my blog...I can violate my own rules if I want to [he said, haughtily]), are some verses of interest.

Pr 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pr 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Pr 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Isa 10:33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

I like that last one...don't you?

UPDATE 1

Related topic: OK, folks, read what is really being said in my post...don't be mislead by the tongue in my cheek.


UPDATE 2
Related Topic: Harriet Miers: If she is confirmed, Bush wins. If she is not confirmed, the next nominee will be a shoe-in, Bush wins. Either way.....

I think the majority of the opposition on the grounds that she "is not qualified" are idiots. All of them. Read the Constitution. She is qualified.