Comments on: In Defence of Theology http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:31:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ewan McDonald http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/comment-page-1/#comment-757 Ewan McDonald Wed, 27 Sep 2006 06:14:16 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/#comment-757 Excellent article Bill. I'm reminded of the saying that much of today's Christianity is "about a mile wide and an inch deep". Today's 'mega-churches' especially need to pay much more attention to theology and doctrine. On the matter of eschatology I agree with Bill that the “Occupy till I come” statement of Jesus should mean that Christians, regardless of their eschatology, can agree upon the need to seek to transform society. I personally don't pay much attention to eschatology, yet am convinced Christians must be social reformers and seek to apply a biblical worldview in every area of life. Ewan McDonald, Victoria Excellent article Bill. I’m reminded of the saying that much of today’s Christianity is “about a mile wide and an inch deep”. Today’s ‘mega-churches’ especially need to pay much more attention to theology and doctrine.

On the matter of eschatology I agree with Bill that the “Occupy till I come” statement of Jesus should mean that Christians, regardless of their eschatology, can agree upon the need to seek to transform society. I personally don’t pay much attention to eschatology, yet am convinced Christians must be social reformers and seek to apply a biblical worldview in every area of life.

Ewan McDonald, Victoria

]]> By: Bill Muehlenberg http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/comment-page-1/#comment-756 Bill Muehlenberg Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:36:53 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/#comment-756 Thanks Frank Yes one’s eschatology can well have an influence not only on whether one takes theology seriously but a whole lot of other things as well. It may influence the way one sees the need to transform society for example. Some pre-mil, pre-trib types are, as you say, waiting around for the end. They have their bags packed and are waiting to go home. But Jesus said “Occupy till I come”. Eschatology need not have a negative impact on our impact in the world. Interestingly, two of the great British Christian social reformers, Wilberforce and Shaftesbury, held quite different eschatological viewpoints: Wilberforce was post-mil, while Shaftesbury was pre-mil. Yet both were up to their ears ion Christian social action. I have written more extensively on this in my 1999 article “End Times and Christian Responsibility” in the theology section of this website. Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch Thanks Frank
Yes one’s eschatology can well have an influence not only on whether one takes theology seriously but a whole lot of other things as well. It may influence the way one sees the need to transform society for example.

Some pre-mil, pre-trib types are, as you say, waiting around for the end. They have their bags packed and are waiting to go home. But Jesus said “Occupy till I come”.

Eschatology need not have a negative impact on our impact in the world. Interestingly, two of the great British Christian social reformers, Wilberforce and Shaftesbury, held quite different eschatological viewpoints: Wilberforce was post-mil, while Shaftesbury was pre-mil. Yet both were up to their ears ion Christian social action.

I have written more extensively on this in my 1999 article “End Times and Christian Responsibility” in the theology section of this website.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

]]> By: Francis Gamba http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/comment-page-1/#comment-754 Francis Gamba Tue, 26 Sep 2006 09:39:07 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/09/26/in-defence-of-theology/#comment-754 Doesn't eschatology come into play? After all, if one believes that Christians are about to be raptured any minute now from a world that's sinking, then there clearly isn't much point to polishing brass on a sinking ship. Why focus on the jots and tittles of theology when matters call for our ushering all we can into Christianity's lifeboats by means of moving personal testimonies. Quick, the ship is sinking! Put down the Brasso of theology and get as many people as you can into the life-boats! Quick, there's no time to waste! I think the eschatological question needs to be settled before we can hope for Christians to again start loving the Lord our God with all our minds. Otherwise we should expect to be greeted with the incredulous look we would expect to get were we to insist on polishing the brass while the Titanic sank. Francis Gamba, Melbourne Doesn’t eschatology come into play? After all, if one believes that Christians are about to be raptured any minute now from a world that’s sinking, then there clearly isn’t much point to polishing brass on a sinking ship. Why focus on the jots and tittles of theology when matters call for our ushering all we can into Christianity’s lifeboats by means of moving personal testimonies. Quick, the ship is sinking! Put down the Brasso of theology and get as many people as you can into the life-boats! Quick, there’s no time to waste!

I think the eschatological question needs to be settled before we can hope for Christians to again start loving the Lord our God with all our minds. Otherwise we should expect to be greeted with the incredulous look we would expect to get were we to insist on polishing the brass while the Titanic sank.

Francis Gamba, Melbourne

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