First and foremost, studying theology ministers to our own souls. John Frame said, "Apologetics confronts unbelief in the believer as well as in the unbeliever." We study theology to learn Who our Savior is and to strengthen our faith in Him.
So how important is theology to missions? It is vital!
I believe that one of the main reasons that Christians (especially women) do not witness to unbelievers is because of wimpy theology.
We don't have much to say to people other than "Jesus loves you." That's not good enough. When people ask the hard questions...that simply not good enough. And it scares us into silence.
Evangelical Christians, as a whole, know shockingly little about their faith--about their God. I believe that the shallowness of this "faith" is the prime reason why we have so many de-churched among us.
Paul Washer, missionary and founder of Heartcry Missionary Society, often says, "Eternal life begins the day we are born again. The endless pursuit of 'getting to know God' begins NOW!"
Here are a few questions that are commonly asked by unbelievers (and believers).
1. How can there be a God when there is so much evil in the world?
2. How can Jesus be the only way to God when there are countless millions who have never even heard His name?
3. Why would God punish me? I'm a good person...
4. Why should I worship a God who has given me nothing but grief?
5. What kind of God would demand to be worshiped?
These are questions (and there are a million more) that require much thought and study and prayer to answer meaningfully and Biblically.
We have to know the Word of God. What can we do without our Sword? It would be as foolish as going to battle without a weapon--only this battle is over eternal souls!
God has also given us amazing resources. We, more than any generation of Christians ever, have the greatest theologians of the church age 'at our fingertips' (literally).
If we take seriously the call to be 'fishers of men,' we must take seriously the command to always 'have a reason for the hope that lies within..."
So lets become thinkers, readers, listeners...
Three great resources: TFC bookstore, Desiringgod.org (John Piper), and sermonaudio.com
(Practically speaking, one of the greatest investments I have ever made has been my ipod. Download sermons...redeem commutes, chores, walks, etc!)
Joshuaproject.net 'unreached people of the day':
Please pray for the ...
| Population: | 46,000 |
| Language: | Pumi, Northern |
| Religion: | Buddhism |
| Evangelical: | 0.00% |
| Status: | Unreached |
4 comments:
You go girl...........
By the way is it ok to tell a sinner that God loves them? (in an elective redemptive way) How do you know? Where does it say that?
(you know who)
when first saved it was a joy to enter into a one on one Bible discipleship with an older believer - unfortunately there isnt much of that any more - there is nothing better then a solid foundation to build your Christian walk on -- cealy
Robin------may your tribe increase!
PS-On the iPod, along with everything else you said, you are so right. I was given my iPod as a gift and it has proven itself invaluable in allowing me to avail myself of, and listen to, exceptional teaching resources that otherwise would be very difficult to find adequate time for. Can't recommend it too highly.
'You know who,' (and I do), I don't tell people that I witness to that "Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life..."
I was more trying to show the shallowness of the typical evangelical Christian.
I am of the opinion that Jesus and the apostles offer a consistent evangelistic approach: "Repent and believe!"
God has ordained that men's hearts be softened through the hearing of the gospel--repentance is absolutely necessary to salvation.
I feel that we compromise the gospel when we offer God's love without telling of His wrath. What exactly do people need to get saved for if God is not angry with them (which the Bible says He is)?
As to what extent God loves sinners...theologians are divided. For my own conviction, I use the term 'mercy' a lot more than I do 'love.'
Make sense?
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