Christian theology in a Sudanese context. Theology is to be considered and experienced.
The study of the name, nature, person and work of God should lead us to worship Him. A daily life of worship is where theological facts are turned into our own experience of spiritual truths. Our head-knowledge of God should change our lifestyle. If it doesn’t, it is worthless. Good theology will help us to recognise and reject bad ‘Christian’ and non-Christian practice. It should keep us God-centred. It will help us make good decisions as we love God with all our minds and show it in our practical everyday actions. It leads towards godly Christian maturity.
(Matthew 22:36,37 and Philippians 3:12-16). The Westminster Confession of Faith is a public affirmation of faith made by a Christian Assembly in the year 1646 A.D. We studied it as an introduction to theology at Gereif West during my last year in Sudan.
Describing God in chapter 2 section 1 it reads: “There is but One only, living, and true God: Who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just and terrible in His judgements, hating all sin, and Who will by no means clear the guilty”. I suggest you get to know God so that your beliefs and convictions are your own! It is often too easy to say that you agree with a 'statement of belief 'written by a denomination or local fellowship. You may not even understand it! Translating your own believed doctrines into everyday language and life shows how much you genuinely understand of them. While some of God’s attributes – His truly real qualities – can be reproduced in our lives, others cannot. However, from observing Christian friends I have regularly noticed that personal holiness is an outgrowth of a person’s thoughtful worship of God.
Thinking it through.
(a). What are some of the differences between ‘head-knowledge’ of God, and a ‘living
experience’ of Him?
(b). Can you give at least four reasons for developing a good theology?
(c). With your Bible closed, write one page (or speak for one minute) on the subject:
‘Who is God?’