Biblical Theology—The Second Vital Sign of a Healthy Church

A seminary professor once presented a seminar about God.  As he explained what the Bible has to say about the nature and character of God, he was interrupted by one of the attendees at the seminar.  “I like to think of God differently,” he asserted.  “My God is wise, but not meddling.  He is compassionate, but not overpowering.  He’s ever so resourceful, but never interrupting.”  Today people believe to be true simply what they desire to be true.

What do you think God is like?   So many of us like to think that God would never allow tragedies to happen to innocent people, but that idea of God does not correspond with reality.  A lot of people like to think that in the end everyone will be saved, regardless of whether he places his trust in Christ or not. 

Here at First Christian we want to present a picture of God which is in harmony with Scriptures.  This is where we run into conflict with today’s society. One can preach or teach according to Scripture but so many people today will simply say, “That’s nice. I’m glad you’re happy with your understanding so you can comfort yourself. But as for me, this is what I believe.”  Then they proceed to explain their theology, a theology that is based entirely upon what they want to believe. Little wonder that so many people are clueless when it comes to a correct understanding of God. Because God has become so subjective to the world, it is all the more crucial that we grasp an objective understanding of God as revealed in Scripture.

Upon what do you base your knowledge God?  Is your knowledge of God based on what the Bible says God is like, or is it based on what you want God to be like?  Your response to that question is vitally important.  Because how you think about God impacts the way you live and what you want your church to be like. You must have a biblical understanding of God. 

A vital sign of a healthy church is a biblical understanding of God with regard to his character and with his ways with us. This Sunday we will explore the second mark of a healthy church—biblical theology.  Every Christian needs to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word. If churches are to prosper in health, church members must be committed to being "biblical theologians" in whatever capacity they are able. This is the second mark of a healthy church member.