by Ralph L. Sabine
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2Timothy 3:16-17) [NIV]
Puzzled by the fact that John Wesley authored a number of works, and without question was highly qualified to produce a systematic theology, I wondered why he never made the attempt. Have we fallen into a trap he so clearly avoided?
Having spent much time studying God's word, reading books of theology from each of the three camps, reading Calvin's Institutes, and studying under professors of each camp, I have contemplated much on this puzzle. Let me share that I love to read and study, especially commentaries by various authors from each of the three camps. God has revealed certain truths and provocative thoughts that helped me to work through until I received a clear view of what He wanted me to understand. Yes, I have gleaned from the many theological works, but I have always had the feeling that somewhere along the line they all run amuck.
Throw them out? No way! They are valuable to the careful and focused student. It is my firm conviction that John Wesley knew he could not produce a systematic theology comparable to God's word and therefor considered God's word to be the basis for all of his teaching and preaching. Don't get me wrong! He was a well read man, but his Greek New Testament was his textbook and from it he preached many times daily.
Developing works of systematic theology reates a scenario of man's word verses God's word. In man's attempt he often takes a truth and carries it to unrealistic applications while ignoring scripture that clearly shows the teaching to be out of context and therefor false. Methodist theologians went to the extent of altering some of the hymns written by John and Charles Wesley early in the 19th. century because they supposedly smacked of Calvinism. Our hymnals no longer have in print some of their hymns as they wrote them.
So often today, our works of theology spend more time attacking or tearing apart the other camps theology and doctrines while being insufficient in remaining true to biblical doctrine or lacking in making their own proper presentation. Man while meaning the best, too often errs, but God never errs. John Wesley fully understood that it is dangerous to attempt such an undertaking. Many doctrinal teachings are the product derived from systematic theology rather than having biblical foundation, and Calvinism is guilty of producing such false doctrines.
Do we need theologians? Yes! Yes! Yes! We who love the Lord must all be theologians.
Church doctrine must be derived directly from God's word and demands that it must have its foundation built on biblical truth carefully researched for context, and encompass all scripture. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to teach us, and our responsibility to fulfill our calling to teach and preach by being theologians. We are the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ. We must study 'the word of God' to live up to and correctly declare His truths while preaching, teaching and worshiping
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1Peter 2:9) [NIV]
Outside of the apostles, I believe that John Wesley stands as the greatest example of a theologian we have in all Christiandom. He read and we must read other works, but preach and teach biblical doctrine. There is no excuse to be slack in the continuous study of God's word
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross be emptied of its power." (1Corinthians 1:17) [NIV]
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2Corinthians 4:5-6) [NIV]
"In the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time has come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around thema great number of teachers to say what teir itching ear want to hear. They will turn their earsaway from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."
(2Timothy 4:1-5) [NIV]
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