Theology is dangerous business. Many people think they can just study theology with it having no effects on their lives. To some people theology is the “words of God,” or at least they respect it as man’s thoughts about God. Other people reject the word theology because it means dead orthodoxy, and in some churches, theology has taken the place of Christ and the Bible. To others, theology is equated with liberalism. Still there are some who attack theology because they feel it will stifle their soul-winning zeal. The word theology comes from the Greek compound theologia derived from two roots, theos (God) and logos (“word” or “idea”). Theology originally meant an idea concerning God. The original term fell into two categories. Theology could be the sayings about God, or the actual sayings or discourages by God or the gods.
Theological study is dangerous business as the writers demonstrate in The trials of Theology Becoming A ‘Proven Worker’ precisely because of the nature of theology. Bible College and seminary is a time to consume much from the Word of God and other disciplines, but there are dangers in such study including pride and false humility.
The Trials of Theology Becoming A ‘Proven Worker’ In a Dangerous Business Edited by Andrew J.B. Cameron and Brian S. Rosner explores the thoughts of men from the past such as Augustine, Luther, Spurgeon, Warfield, Bonheoffer, C.S. Lewis, and in the present Drs. Woodhouse, Carson, Trueman, Bray and Hillinger. The topics this book covers are vast from praying to experience to the grace of God and becoming real theologians who understand the Bible, church history, systematic theology and Christian ethics.
As I read this book I was struck by how I wished I had read it much sooner, but then I realized it was only published just last year (2010). If there is one thing I have learned in my time during Bible College and Seminary is that pride is ever lurking at the door waiting to bait me into believing that because I’ve been a Christian and studied theology for so long that I somehow no longer need to study the Bible any longer. The structure of this book combats the idea of “knowing it all” as does the contents of the book. By focusing on dead theologians the authors have done the Church a great service by emphasizing that dead men have much to teach Christians today about what it means to be a good theologian. By selecting men who are highly respected in their fields today the authors give attention to men who have proven themselves model theologians in their respective fields.
Theology is difficult work because it has consequences not only on the students’ life but on the lives of others around them. Theology has consequences for churches also because if local church’s move away from biblical Christianity they cease to be a New Testament church. As you can see theology is dangerous and difficult work, but it is also intensely practical work. The student of theology is either a good theologian or a bad theologian, which means that all study of theology should result in growing in godliness. The goal of studying theology should not just be growing in knowing sound doctrine, but should have as its aim growth in godliness as a result of believing sound doctrine.
I recommend you read The Trials of Theology: Becoming A ‘Proven Worker’ In A Dangerous Business because doing so will console, convict, instruct and usher you into the presence of God. This book will help you to see how you to move from being “lost among words” to being “lost for words” in praise of God. The study of theology should lead to not only knowing biblical doctrine, but to being humbled by the greatness of God who has chosen to reveal Himself in His Word to His people, so that His people may spread His fame and joy to the nations. May the Lord Jesus use this book to awaken Christians to draw deeply from the well of church history, theology and the Word of God in order to stir up deep affections for God, and obedience to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Title: The Trials of Theology Becoming A ‘Proven Worker’ In a Dangerous Business
Author: Edited by Andrew J.B. Cameron and Brian S. Rosner
Publisher: Christian Focus (2010)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Christian Focus Book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
