THE PURPOSE OF THEOLOGICAL INQUIRY
At the completion of this semester, Liberty University also completed its first semester with the new Campus Church services. Every Wednesday night, there have been over 4000 students in the Thomas Road sanctuary (sometimes more). Even the final one, during exam week, was an amazing crowd.
Each week, we had worship infused with power- some of the most talented and Spirit-filled musicians around, under the direction of David McKinney. Then, I had the honor of speaking. Each week, we went through the book of Philemon verse-by-verse, in a series entitled “Under the Rug.” Following Paul’s example, we confronted some of the most pressing issues in Christianity, such as redemption, restoration, and forgiveness. Each week seemed more incredible than the last.
One of the kindest notes I received during the semester came from a fellow pastor. He wrote: “The students really respond to plain, undiluted truth. Most ministers have no humor because they have no personalities. Others spend so much time trying to impress their colleagues that they neglect speaking in an understandable language.”
That note reminded me of one of the wisest admonitions I ever received. He said, in part:
“Never be impressed with theologians who cite obscure books or unknown authors, just for show. Never be impressed by those who critique your positions, but never state their own. Never trust a speaker who chooses the fifty-dollar words over the two-dollar ones. Instead, respect those who follow our Lord: Jesus Christ took the most profound and difficult concepts and explained them so a young boy could understand them. He used parables, not lofty syllogisms. True theology makes the difficult clear. Poor theologians spend their lives making the simple even more difficult.”
Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, clarified it all. The simplicity of the Gospel is available so all may understand. The profundity of the Gospel is available so no one will ever completely comprehend.
Thank you Lord, for a Gospel for all-
Truth is Immortal:
ergun
