Theology
I am no theologian. So these are only my observations.
I think it's important, in particular for a Christian, NOT to be a theologian.
Theology teaches you ABOUT God.
Being a Christian. Well, it's BEING. And Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship.
When you're in a relationship, you KNOW someone.
How does the bible talk about knowing? How does the Word define "to know"?
It is in the context of "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain"(Genesis 4:1). The most intimate of knowing.
To KNOW God - the most intimate of knowledge.
Whoa. Hope I didn't shock some of you. I mean it.
What did you think?
The bible talks about man and woman being one flesh in the context of marriage and sex.
It talks about the church being the bride of Christ.
It talks about being in ONE spirit with Him.
Theology only talks ABOUT God. The last thing a Christian should do is talk about God. The revelation of the KNOWledge of Him satisfies the soul.
How? When? It's when you, O beloved child of God; you, the bride without spot or wrinkle, KNOWS God. Intimately.
Who He is? What He likes? What kind of conversationalist is He? His personality. His character.
Don't study God as if He were some kind of species - which is what I feel theology sometimes does.
It robs the people of the closeness of a relationship with the One who gave Himself for love and pushes Him so far away by examining Him as if He were someThing. Omnipotent, omniscience etc etc.. Awful! How does this improve my relationship with God?
How do you develop a relationship with anyone?
You talk, you share experiences, you cry, you laugh, you grow up, you recall, you rely, depend, trust, believe.
What makes you think a relationship with God is any different?
Philosophy
Oh dear, philosophy. What can I say about philosophy. But for the grace of God, I guess I'll be a philosopher..
For thousands of years, philosophy has posted its arguments in various permutations. And all it has shown is how well it can build its own maze and get lost in it. The futility of it all is like a cat chasing its tail. Because even when you 'get it', you don't.
Philosophy tickles the mind. Makes one feel very intellectual. As if one is getting somewhere. But really, philosophy is like running on a threadmill. People feel good with all the effort put in and happy in drawing their own conclusions. Conclusions which do not benefit anyone.
Philosophy is all about THE question. The meaning of life? Creation. Salvation. Karma. Mankind. Harmony. Balance etc...
Philosophy is kindergarten in relation to the depth and richness that can be plowed and harvested from the soul. It uses the mind in an attempt to bridge its way to the heart and feed it. I'm so impatient with it because it's futile.
Again, I'm no philosopher. And there's a reason I disdain it.
Basically, all arguments, all studies that purport to reach into the psyche should be able to do so. But hundreds, dare I say, thousands of years have come and gone, and people are still pondering the same questions.
Edifying
What IS edification?
Whatever gives LIFE!
You may think it's a strange definition. Every human being wants 'closure'. We like our line of 'argument' (for lack of a better word) to get somewhere.
But only truth is definite. Be it scientific truth etc.. I want to KNOW something concrete and NOT speculation. So I am impatient with theories and opinions.
It's really strange 'cos a discussion of the Word unveils mysteries and beautiful truths that we feed on. Where words are alive and living and we just sink our teeth into them and meditate. It ends with an answer. An answer that is not an end in itself but is so rich that it brings forth more questions that we feed on, knowing that the answers the we dig into will be richer. It's like digging for gold and actually getting it.
Theology and philosophy starts with a question and ends with more questions. Heavy as gravity and dank with the musk of open-ended arguments that lead no where. It tickles the mind muscles but leaves one hollow inside.
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