Seems like I’m not the only one in the city of voices who is studying for finals and/or in some type of theology course…
I’m currently taking an Ecclesiology and Eschatology course, and yesterday, I read through the theologies of certain individuals who concluded that “Jesus was clearly mistaken in his thinking” (regarding the timing of His second coming). At that point, I started to skim pages…I have trouble not throwing the ‘baby out with the bath water’ when I read one or two things I don’t agree with, and I do not care to read in-depth more of that person’s theological conclusions…

Later in the day, thankfully, when reading about the end times, I came across a paragraph that hit home, and continued to confirm the design of the Character Matrix presented by Erwin McManus at Ethos. What I read is as follows, on Reaping One’s Own Sowing, (Gal. 6:7-8), by Thomas C. Oden, Life in the Spirit: Systematic Theology Volume Three, p. 440 (emphasis mine):

CHARACTER MOLDS DESTINY. That human freedom is divinely aided does not diminish its quality as freedom, for all self-determining beings are given grace adequate for salvation if they cooperate with it. It is the ultimate directionality of the character that makes the judgment irreversible, a crystallization due to moral choice, not coercion (Origen, Principles II.10, Ante-Nicene Fathers IV, pp. 293-96). This does not deny social or genetic or biological or cultural determinants [e.g. Strengths and Personality Profile], but focuses upon one’s own free response to all conceivable determinants.

If I am required to read texts that need to point out mistaken thinking about Jesus being mistaken, fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I’ll read it and pray for those who are being quoted to not lead others astray (I admit, I sometimes get angry when I read theology). Ultimately, if a theologian, no matter how educated, no matter what school s/he may be a professor at, I’m going to reject the conclusions of those who think of Jesus as merely a “good” man, able to be “mistaken” (!!!). Maybe I am closed-minded, but shouldn’t we start with the “WHO” and let our theology be formed and informed from that vantage point?

I suppose this is all par for course…needing to learn what’s out there in a conversation that has been going on for thousands of years!!! Lots of opinions to wade through (including my own…).

When it’s all said and done, I have to believe all the reading and studying will be worth it. I want to believe that being aware of what I do not agree with in the pages of Systematic Theology texts have value if, as I read, I daily give it all to the One Who has given His all.
OK, back to the books…

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