Page 19 - Bible Writers Theology Original

truth from the pages of God's word, like the gold miner who sifts through tons of ore to find an ounce of gold. The dedicated astronomer does not have to be begged to stare day and night at the planets and stars of the heav ens. The Moslem prays and washes five times a day according to the law of
Mohammed. The marathon runner runs miles and miles every day, running in the morning and running in the evening, running up mountains and down valleys running, running, running. Always running to be first. The farmer tills the land in the sun and heat, plants the seed, and waits patient
ly, knowing that if he endures there will be a harvest of plenty. If the carnal man strives for such mastery, can the Bible theologian who expects to under stand the mysteries of God do any less? The star gazer unveils the myster
ies of the stars by his diligent looking, the runner wins a crown for his valiant effort, and the miner has the heavy tug of the untarnishable metal pulling at his pocket as his reward.
Paul tells us to run, to strive, and to press toward the mark. II Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth nottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth." Ephesians6:11-12, "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wilesofthedevil. Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Truly, to the casual reader, the inspired scriptures may not unfold them selves in a systematic manner, as a scientific textbook would present its con tent. Inaclassicalway,God'seternaltruthrequiresitsownguidance. Did
not the apostle Paul say that God gave teachers to the edifying of His Church? Jesus Himself, speaking to His disciples, promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to systematically instruct and guide them (Luke 24:44-49;
John16:12-15;IICorinthians4:6;Ephesians4:11-14). Nevertheless,thereis also man's part in this transaction. Acts 17:26,27. Isaiah said, "Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered
them"(Isaiah34:16). Thesameideaispresentedintheadmonitionwritten by Paul, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, toiexhortation, to doctrine (I Timothy 4:13). And the wise man says, "Have not 1written to thee excel
lent things in counsels and knowledge; that 1might make thee know the cer tainty of the words of truth: That thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:20,21).
A vivid example of this is also found in the amazing story of the EthiopianeunuchinActs8,towhomGodsentPhilip. InanswertoPhilip asking if he understood what he read, the salvation-hungry proselyte cried
out,"HowcanI,exceptsomemanshouldguideme?" (Acts8:31).
The Necessity of Biblical Theology ♦ 3