theology = worship!

Blindman · 09-23-2003, 10:03 AM

Be patient with me; most of you probably view this as an obvious truth, but it's something that I just realized last night. I was feeling a bit bad for having had to go all Athanasian on someone at lunch (but in my defense, he was a Bible Study leader, so he should have known better...) and I was saying to myself, "This is why I hate theological discussions; I always get so prideful and arrogant and impatient when talking to someone with bad theology."

And then I realized that all along I had been viewing that pride, etc. as something inherent to theology. I'd been seeing theology as bad because so often I'd seen it reduced to treating God as an abstract theory or a set of doctrines instead of an experiential reality, and because in my experience, theology had always been associated with pride and short tempers.

But what if, instead, theology is something so good that the Devil can't stand to see real theolological discussion going on, and as a result he attacks it (by tempting people with pride, etc.) to try to make it degenerate into argument? When we discuss the character and nature of God, we're exalting God's Name as much as when we're singing a hymn. No wonder the Enemy doesn't like that!

What does this mean in practice? First of all, that theology is a form of worship, a way of exalting our Father and exulting in Him. So we should treat it as such. And secondly, theology is something that enrages the Enemy perhaps more than anything else, and that means that theology is an enterprise that should be embarked upon only if it is covered in much prayer.

God loves us, not because we're lovable, but because He is loving. On the cross, God's justice and love were both satisfied. We are called to be crucified with Christ, and when we do so we are given new life in Him. We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the substance. And when I say these things, I'm engaging in worship, and the Devil is trembling with rage. How cool is that!

Way back when, the Athanasian Creed was sung as a worship song. Someone here with musical talent should revive that tradition.

**Chrysostom** · 09-23-2003, 10:29 AM

The black dwarf (Athanasius) strikes again!

Luke · 09-23-2003, 11:31 AM

What meter is the Athanasian Creed in, or would we need to write a metric paraphrase?

FYI, there is a metrical paraphrase of the Apostles' Creed that can be done to the tune of Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken.

Grace & Peace
Luke

Amanda · 09-23-2003, 12:29 PM

Rich Mullins did a pretty decent Apostle's Creed, I think.

But I agree, that would be sweet if we revived that tradition of singing it together.

Whill · 09-23-2003, 12:51 PM

This is what I think of Theology.... oh.... and so does God.

Malachi 3
16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. [1] I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.

Whill · 09-23-2003, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manders

Rich Mullins did a pretty decent Apostle's Creed, I think.

But I agree, that would be sweet if we revived that tradition of singing it together.

Didn't Third Day redo the Rich Mullins redo of the Apostle's Creed? It's it's in one of the Offerings CDs.

**Sean** · 09-23-2003, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whill

Didn't Third Day redo the Rich Mullins redo of the Apostle's Creed? It's it's in one of the Offerings CDs.

Yes they did. Petra recorded a rock'n Creed....

Brendt · 09-23-2003, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whill

Didn't Third Day redo the Rich Mullins redo of the Apostle's Creed? It's it's in one of the Offerings CDs.

Offerings II: All I Have to Give -- track 3

Also on The Come Together Tour DVD.

**Ted Logan** · 09-23-2003, 02:21 PM

It's terrible in comparison, though. It does no justice to Rich's song.

Brendt · 09-23-2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Logan

It's terrible in comparison, though. It does no justice to Rich's song.

Well, I don't like the exteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeended intro, and Rich's hammer dulcimer was obviously God-ordained

, but overall I think Third Day's cover does plenty of justice to Rich's live performances of the song.

If nothing else, I see the cover as a celebration of what God gave us in Rich, expressed through the statements of belief.

Brendt · 09-23-2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindman

....had to go all Athanasian....

BTW, where did that CGR glossary of theological terms go? Can't find it anymore.

(Yes, I have to look up Athanasius.)

**Ted Logan** · 09-23-2003, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendt

Well, I don't like the exteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeended intro, and Rich's hammer dulcimer was obviously God-ordained

, but overall I think Third Day's cover does plenty of justice to Rich's live performances of the song.

If nothing else, I see the cover as a celebration of what God gave us in Rich, expressed through the statements of belief.

That's a good point. Although he absolutely amazed me live back in 1996. Have you seen the DVD that just came out?

Mike Graham · 09-23-2003, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendt

BYes, I have to look up Athanasius

Athanasius was a bishop, IIRC; I think we named the anathasian creed after him.

Tony · 09-23-2003, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Logan

That's a good point. Although he absolutely amazed me live back in 1996. Have you seen the DVD that just came out?

I have it. Pretty good, if low-key. It's almost spooky to watch, though.

Brendt · 09-23-2003, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Logan

Have you seen the DVD that just came out?

Watched it a couple times and listened to it about 25 (I ripped the audio onto a CD so I could take it with me).

I saw Rich live about 8 times, including once from backstage (after Carolyn Arends got me passes after interviewing her for the now-defunct TLeM).