Theology Eight - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

This is the last post in the series of theology for women. If you have not read the previous posts of Theology - Necessary Soul Food for the Good Woman, please find them here.

Theology, that is pursuing the all-satisfying knowledge of and relationship with the Triune God, has brought such balance and dignity to my life. As a woman, I find there are many voices in my culture vying for my allegiance, including the feminist who has openly had her say here.

But in many cultures women are suppressed. India has been one such place. A passage in the Puranas, one of the Hindu's sacred books, reads “Let a woman who wishes to perform sacred oblations wash the feet of her lord and drink the water, for her husband is her lord, her priest, her religion. Wherefore abandoning all else she ought chiefly to worship her husband."

Culture in India also practiced “suttee”, an observance whereby a widow was burned alive on the funeral pyre of her dead husband. Many other atrocities abounded in regard to India’s females before the early twentieth century, including infanticide for unwanted daughters and temple prostitution for small girls, some as young as three and four years of age.

Imagine then the wonder with which the women there received the teachings of Christianity. One Hindu woman was noted to say, “Surely your Bible was written by a woman.” When asked “why?” she replied, “Because it says so many kind things for women. Our pundits never refer to us but in reproach.”

Christ restores balance and dignity for women whatever their culture promotes. For the Christian woman in India, dignity is restored in the midst of a culture that dehumanizes her.

But looking at another imbalance, in America, feminists seek to glorify women beyond their God-given place. The goal is supremacy, not equality, and herein we see the opposite extreme. This woman, out of a motive of retaliation, would like to rule over man the way he has ruled over her since and as a result of the fall.

But reiterating, in Christ we find a true balance where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

It is a paradox that in Christ, woman finds her dignity, yet there is no distinction between male and female. In the pages of Scripture she discovers an ally who so understands her that she could easily mistake Him for a woman.

But this is the One who “…being found in appearance as a man…” personified the goodness of God (Philippinas. 2:8a).

This is the One who spoke to an immoral woman, considered a mongrel by the Jews (Samaritan), the epitome of human outcasts and gifted her a royal position when He made her a child of the King. When the rest of society shunned her, Jesus revealed God to her, in all His goodness, and she was changed forever in an instance. (John. 4:4-45)

Spurgeon said, “My beloved sisters, you owe much to the Gospel, for it is only by its agency that you are raised to your proper place. Jesus has lifted you up to your true place, side by side with man.” But really He has lifted us much higher than that -all the way to the third heaven where He reigns. We dwell with Him there even in the midst of the storm or in the mire of a fallen culture when we truly know Him.

Do women need theology? Can we rise above our circumstances to find peace in the midst of a storm-tossed life? Where is the balance in a culture which seeks to either denigrate or deify us? Perhaps Jesus can best answer these questions. To every nation and tribe, to every people of every tongue, to men and women the mandate is still set forth. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Theology is not only essential for the woman of God, it is a command from its Author that we must embrace.

May we, as women of God, look to the apostle Paul as an example of what theology is all about. May we take to heart his passion for knowing Jesus:

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death... (Phil. 3:8-11) 

Oh, may we know Him! That is what theology is all about!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Eight - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on July 13, 2008 0 comments

Theology Seven - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

This is a continuing series about why and how real theology is necessary for the woman of God. For previous articles please click here.

When Jesus visited Martha’s home in Bethany, both she and her sister, Mary, learned a penetrating and enduring lesson from Jesus about the importance of theology for women (Luke 10:38-42). At that time Rabbis considered it unthinkable to allow women to learn the Scriptures. “Rather burn the sayings of the law than teach them to a woman” was a common adage. But in their home in Bethany, Jesus interrupts time, busyness and decorum, and in His infinite essence heralds a message to Mary and Martha (and the men) that only one thing is of eternal importance – knowing Him. “Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (vs. 42).

Paul tells Timothy to, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission” (I Tim. 2:11). So we have it from Christ and the apostle Paul that women should be students of Christ who come to Him to learn. Martha could not handle a simple situation because she had not been at Jesus’ feet. How then can women have peace in difficult circumstances without the anchor of a full knowledge of their God? And knowing Him only casually is really not knowing Him at all.

The woman determined to know God intimately strives to sit at His feet when everything else shouts “Get up, get busy!” When God’s goodness is obscured from our sight in the storms of life, a casual knowledge of Him will only hasten a faltering faith into the depths of doubt and despair. In order to weather the deluge, a real working knowledge of God is imperative if we would have a compass to guide us in the chaos.

We will be assured, like Job, that no matter what life’s challenges, God is good – He is perfectly and eternally good. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled” (Psalm 46:1-3).

Recently I heard a story about some Christian women from Bangladesh, a culture in which women are considered chattel. In Bangladesh, women's lives are agonizingly hard. Most have no love demonstrated toward them, whether they are young or old. Husbands in this culture have many women (just as you and I have as many pairs of shoes as we please) and they treat their women like property.

A group of these women heard the gospel and some came to know Christ, but since they did not fully grasp how much God loved them, they continued to live dejected, heartless lives. There seemed to be no change until a missionary began to teach them about the attributes of God – theology proper. When they understood the magnanimity of His love for them and His goodness toward them, they asked, “Are you saying that God loves us in this way? He wants only our good? Why didn't someone tell us of this sooner?”

From that day on they were able to smile, though their circumstances were not changed. They had the peace of God and knew that He truly cared for them. A new personal dignity sustained them. Not even the harshest, most brutal treatment could shake their confidence in God’s love for them. They were changed because they dug deep into God’s glorious character and discovered strength there for themselves.

While in Uganda recently, I taught a group of Christian women from Entebbe. These women were mostly illiterate and therefore unlearned in the Scriptures. I observed that a course of child-rearing “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” was badly needed. When raising children in this harsh environment, parents tend to be severe and unloving, with the idea that this will help their kids cope with the difficulties they will face as adults. I saw children with real needs left to cry and “get over it”. Obviously, the women needed light from the Scriptures.

As they learned about their relationship to God, how He sees them in His Son, their adoption by the Spirit, their Heavenly Father's parental love for them, how He disciplines the ones He loves, about His goodness toward His children, and more, the women were overwhelmed with gratitude to God. They repented of their harsh practices and simply wanted to love their children, to be kindly disposed to them as God was toward them. I saw before me a “new creation” in Christ. The old cultural standards passed away in the warmth of this fresh knowledge of God, and all relationships became new. Their difficult lives and their children’s also became sweet that day because of what they knew, because theology became a part of their being.

While we were there in Uganda, I became acquainted with Eddie, the wife of Venencio, the college chaplain in Zana, Uganda (currently, Venencio is pastoring a church in Bundibudgeo, which is on the border of the Congo in northern Uganda). I was overjoyed when she responded to the theology that she learned when we visited there. The mother of toddler twins who suffer terribly from sickle cell anemia, she was despondent and had even emotionally detached herself from her babies since there was so little she could do to help them in their pain. She distanced herself, realizing she might not always have them. She was truly caught in the storm’s tempest. But when she heard that God was “the Lord above the storm”, about His sovereignty over the storm, she began to look up to Him and found great strength and comfort. Her countenance revealed the peace she had as a result of her knowing God better.

Personally, I can affirm that theology – knowing God – has been an anchor for me in the trials I have faced. When one of our daughters ran away from home at the age of sixteen, one day before her birthday, my world came crashing down. I turned to God, although I could not understand why He would allow such anguish. He strengthened me and even gave me joy in spite of the heartache.

But I knew that my knowledge of God was shaky at best. He was using the trial to deliver me from the false teaching I had succumbed to over the previous five years. Living legalistically, I had expected that because I was doing my part in raising our children, God was obligated to save them. Now I told myself, “Either God is a liar or my beliefs are completely false.” I knew God well enough to recognize that the problem was not with Him; He can not lie for He is not only the source of all truth, He is truth. I thank Him for those early lessons of theology proper that taught me that fact clearly.

God then put a desire within me to discover more truth concerning Him so that I could battle the lies I had believed and the bitterness that would follow if I became complacent about pursuing Him. Along with the Psalmist I confessed, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." (Psalm 119:71) So with abundant resources before me (shelves filled with my husband's theological books and every English Bible translation known to man), I began a quest for God that resolved all my issues. That initial seeking has become an unending pursuit for me. Even today, seeking God in this way creates in me more of a hunger for God. The more I know about Him, the more I realize there is so much more to know about Him, for He is inscrutable.

Now I know the truth of Psalm 119:67-68, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes." Notice that the Psalmist does not rest on his laurels, the fact that he keeps God's word (..."but now I keep Your word..." in verse 67). No, he knows his heart all too well. He knows that he must continue to pursue knowing God in His word. He prays "...teach me Your word." (68).

This is exactly what I need. If I ease off of this pursuit, I know where my heart will take me and I do not want to go there. The practicality of daily theology, consistently getting to know God more intimately, is the "one thing " I need. And it is the only pursuit that yields eternal, lasting returns.

Oh, may we, like Mary, strive to sit and learn at Christ's feet. When the world pulls and demands our attention, may we hear His admonishment as did Martha, "Sharon, Sharon, you are worried and bothered about so many things but only one thing is needed. Choose that which will not be taken away from you. Choose to know Me."

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Seven - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on June 10, 2008 0 comments

Theology Six - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

In this sixth post on the continuing series of Theology - Necessary Soul Food for the Good Woman, we will explore the amazing truths of Our Union with Christ.

Soteriology – Our Union with Christ

Paul begins the letter of Ephesians by reminding believers of their blessings “in Christ”, past, present and future. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…” He elaborates fully and is obviously carried away in recounting these magnanimous benefits that belong to those who are “in Christ”.

And so it should be for every saint. Paul refers to our union with Christ in many other passages also, using terms like “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in the Beloved” over 160 times in his letters. Without doubt this was an important doctrine to Paul. He tells us that our union with the Jesus occurred when we were “baptized into Christ Jesus” by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 6:3). Union with the One who is infinitely good secures redemption for the sinner - the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7). His blood is efficacious to present the one who is united to Him holy and blameless before God (Eph. 1:4).

Jesus spoke of our union with Him in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” So in Him we not only receive the once-for-all blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1, but there is also power to live today a life that glorifies Christ, a life abounding in spiritual fruit, a life with divine results. This is possible because we are in Christ.

God actually sees the believer as He sees Christ. Romans 6:3-4 explains how this is possible. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

James Boice elaborates, “When Jesus died on the cross those of us who are united to him by saving faith also died with him so far as the punishment of our sin is concerned. God the Father put the Son to death. Since we are united to him, there is a sense in which we have been put to death too.” (Boice, James Montgomery. Foundations of the Christian Faith, [Downer’s Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1986], p. 392).

Paul also tells us in Romans 6:14 that our union with Christ means that we have been freed from sin. “For sin shall not be master over you for you are not under law but under grace.” When Christ died, we died with Him in every spiritual sense. As sinners, the perfect law of God had rightfully condemned us as violators and sentenced us to death. The law held us guilty and demanded our punishment.

I was like a man in prison on death row, unable to free myself and without hope. The law had to be carried out in order for me to go free. "Since the law clamors for my death as a law-breaker, how can I possibly be justified? Only by meeting the law's requirement and dying the death it demands. If I were to do this myself, however, that would be the finish of me” (Stott, John. The Cross of Christ, [Downer’s Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1986], p. 341).

But God, in His great goodness and mercy saw me on the cross with Christ. “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me” (Gal. 2:19-20, NASB). Since I am in Christ, God imputes His death to me. My sin has been paid for.

The man on death row is finally freed from the penalty of his crime and from the law when he is executed. And so, having died with Christ, I am free from the law and from sin and its penalty in Him. Sin is no longer my master because my death released me from its rule. I was a slave, owned by sin, the cruelest taskmaster, but because I died and was buried, I am free.

Still, the news gets better. I have not only died and been buried with Christ, I have also been raised from the dead for when Jesus walked out of the tomb I was in Him and was made alive together with Him. Like Paul, I now say, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20 NASB).

How wondrous to be in Christ. In Him I am no longer enslaved to sin. I now serve the glorious, gracious King with great freedom and eternal joy. What sacrifice, condescension and unfathomable love that the only One who is good would die for one who was only hateful toward Him being, in fact, liable for His death. I can not understand the immense love of God!

Obeying this compassionate God is my highest delight. I have received back that greatest good, given to man at Eden, who tossed it aside for a mouthful of fruit. By His goodness I have come full course. I am reconciled to Him, ready to listen, learn, love and do His bidding. In Christ this is possible. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (II Cor. 5:17).

All things are new and continue to remain new, unlike anything else in this world. God’s mercies are new every morning in Christ and I am given strength for today to do whatever He puts before me. Hallelujah! Praise be to our good God!

And this indeed does bring us full circle to the final task of this investigation into theology, which is to demonstrate just how the truths about Christ that we embrace will have an impact, both now and eternally, upon the relationships we have with our God, with others, upon how we think about ourselves and also upon every aspect of our lives. Look for that in the final post of Theology - Necessary Soul Food for the Good Woman.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Six - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on May 12, 2008 0 comments

Theology Five - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

Theology Proper - The Goodness of God

Not only does creation make known God’s eternal nature, His divinity and omnipotence, as perused in the last post, but also in sustaining creation, God reveals yet another of His attributes. In Acts 14:17 we learn that “…He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” This Paul said, not to godly men and women, but in reference to past generations of unbelieving Gentiles. Even though their hearts were turned far away from God, He satisfied them with food and even gladness. How good He is.

Everything about God and everything that springs forth from Him is good. Anything in our world that is truly good comes from His hand. James 1:17 states the origin of goodness and speaks also of God’s immutability, indicating that His goodness will never change in any way: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” This does not mean that He will never judge the wicked. In fact, if a judge in a human court of law refused to inflict punishment on a cold-blooded killer, we would declare his ruling “unfair” and not good. So it is with God. His judgments are always right and good.

“He is originally good and good of Himself, which nothing else is; for all creatures are good only by participation and communication from God. He is essentially good; and not only good, but He is goodness itself. The creature’s good is a superadded quality. In God goodness is His essence. He is infinitely good; the creature’s good is but a drop, but in God, there is an infinite ocean or gathering together of good. He is eternally good and immutably good, for He cannot be less good than He is. As there can be no addition made to Him, so neither can there be any subtraction from Him.” (Manton, Thomas from A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God, [Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1957], p.57.)

When difficulties come, we question God's goodness
When facing trials we tend to question God’s goodness. “How can God be good? He has control to bring this trial to an end, but it continues? Why?” Job, when confronted with the incredible heartache of the loss of all ten of his children, his servants and livestock, said, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity.” (Job 2:10) How was it that Job did not question God’s inherent goodness?

How can God be good if He allows trials for His children?

If we question God’s goodness, it may be because we do not have a deep enough understanding of it, or we have too high an opinion of ourselves. Job was willing to accept adversity from God’s hand because He was secure in his knowledge that God is good, even when our circumstances are not. Job knew several things about God’s goodness: 1) that God is always and only kindly disposed toward those He loves; 2) that His purpose is always and only for the good for those He loves; 3) and that at times He allows tribulations to bring about those good purposes. God’s goodness is at the heart of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Even His lesser gifts, like our senses, display God's goodness

God’s goodness extends to and affects every part of our being. He has given us physical life and it is good. The simple delights He created within our physical make-up and in our world demonstrate His goodness. We enjoy the varied and satisfying flavors of the food we eat not only because God created the flavors, but also because He gave us the sense of taste to experience those flavors.

Our eyesight is yet another good gift. But God did not have to create beauty in nature for us to gaze happily upon. Roses did not have to be lovely in appearance and sweetly perfumed. God could rightfully have left us with only the thorns. After all, that is what we earned at the fall. He is incomprehensibly good to be so good as to not withhold these blessings for such ill-deserving creatures. Such benevolent gifts we may consider occasionally, but rarely do we give thanks, and most often we take them for granted.

Do we appreciate the music that God composes and puts within the breast of the nightingale or mocking bird? Such sweet songs from heaven, but we have our sound systems cranked up so loud that we can not hear them, or our complaining keeps their refrain from entering our ears.

Here, at my house, in the midst of asphalt, concrete, houses, autos, and noisy children there is a resident mocking bird. I am amazed when I hear him sing his repertoire of songs. In listening to him, rarely, if ever, do I hear the same melody twice. He has the good and God-given ability to imitate any other bird species (or even noise) that he hears but has no song of his own. It is my understanding that the mockingbird is capable of remembering hundreds of bird songs and singing any of them at will.

The highest of God's good gifts given

Why does he do this? Because God is good. It is one of the many myriads of delights He has pleasured us within our world. But these are the lesser gifts, for when He created mankind, God gave him the highest and most joyous of gifts – the ability to commune with his Maker. In my writing about God – discovering and noting His attributes on paper, and now in your reading of these – this is perhaps the greatest proof of His goodness. He lets us know Him. It is His highest and most ardent desire that men and women would know Him.

The highest of God's good gifts lost

But our knowledge of God was marred at the Garden; man’s communion with Him was lost when Adam and Eve disobeyed their only command. Even then, however, God’s goodness was seen: “The goodness of God is seen in that when man transgressed the law of His Creator a dispensation of unmixed wrath did not at once commence. Well might God have deprived His fallen creatures of every blessing, every comfort, every pleasure. Instead, He ushered in a regime of a mixed nature, of mercy and judgment. notwithstanding all the evils which attend our fallen state, the balance of good greatly preponderates. With comparatively rare exceptions, men and women experience a far greater number of days of health than they do of sickness and pain.” (Pink, A.W. The Attributes of God (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House,1957), p. 58-59.)

Immanuel restores God's highest good to us

But God, in His greatest display of goodness toward men and women, indifferent, defiant and ill-deserving as we were, (yet expecting, even demanding His blessings), provided a way for us to commune with Him once again. Immanuel, God with us came into the world, born of a woman to redeem us and return to us that greatest good that was relinquished by man in the Garden. Utmost, infinite goodness was displayed on the cross because reconciliation was secured for you and I. Adam's condemned race was changed for all time, never again to languish, helplessly separated from its Creator. What provision! What mercy! What unfathomable goodness!

Before the cross, Jesus told a rich young man that there is only One who is good (Matthew 19:17). He was referring to His Father and also to Himself, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…” (Col. 2:9). In Christ we discover all the inherent goodness of God. And that “One” who is good sacrificed Himself on the cross, securing my salvation so that I might experience His goodness. He took on all my sin, all my corruption. As a result, I can now know His goodness and even be considered as one who is good (righteous) in God’s eyes because I am “in” the Son of His love. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

His goodness should change us

How can we, now that we know of His inexpressible goodness toward us, ever live for ourselves again? Should not this change everything about us for His glory? May we be willing and ready to demonstrate our gratitude as we continue to partake of His infinite goodness, mercy and love.

With that in mind, it is time to shift gears again and peer into yet another theological study – soteriology – the doctrines of salvation but specifically, our union with Christ. This in the next Theology - Necessary Soul Food for the Good Woman post.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Five - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on April 25, 2008 0 comments

Theology Four - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

Now that we have defined "theology", it is time to actually study it. We begin with "theology proper" - that is the study of God's attributes. I pray you will be encouraged as you consider our awesome God.

Theology Proper - The Personality of God
Since theology is about knowing God, we must, first of all, ask ourselves, “Who is God?” It is interesting that we ask “who” and not “what”. 

The apostle Paul in Romans 1:18 affirms that mankind knows certain things about God, namely that He is a person who has certain attributes or characteristics. Man knows by creation that God is eternal, divine and all-powerful. Jesus said in John. 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” 

In other words, we can know Him because He is a person with personality and He reveals Himself to man. Of this A. W. Tozer writes, "We have almost forgotten that God is a person and...can be cultivated as any person can. Religion, so far as it is genuine, is in essence, the response of created personalities to the creating personality, God."

"We have almost forgotten that God is a person and…can be cultivated as any person can. Religion, so far as it is genuine, is, in essence, the response of created personalities to the creating personality, God."

Tozer continues, "God is a person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires, and suffers as any other person may. In making Himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of personality. He communicates with us through the avenues of our minds, our wills and our emotions. (Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God, Camp Hill, Christian Publications, 1982, p. 13).

God is not a force, contrary to popular opinion. He is personal and we can know Him. He has all of the elements which together form personality – intellect, will and emotions.
God has intellect
He has intellect with which He thinks and directs: David said, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand” (139:17-18a). David found it astounding that of all the lofty things God can think on, He chooses to think on man in personal ways.

God has emotions
God also has emotions that express His desires: “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Ps. 145:8). And God has a will by which He determines all things in and of Himself: “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" (Dan. 4:35)

God has a will - He decides
From the beginning of creation, we see God deciding to do certain acts and not do others. He has a will. He decides. And no one can stop Him when He determines what will be, other than Himself. 

He decided to create and then decided what to create - light, the sun, moon and stars, animals of all kinds, air, rocks, earth, earthworms, vegetation, the sea with all its creatures, many of which are yet to be discovered, having never been seen by the human eye, the heavens with its uncharted expanse and so much more. 

Last of all, God created man in His own image with the same ability to decide as He has, but with limitations that cannot undermine His own will. Man is the creature. God is the Creator and God alone. Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness' ". And He did.

God also has the freedom to change His mind. Exodus 32:14 says, "And the Lord relented from the disaster that He had spoken of bringing on His people." 

But no one can change God's will for what He has planned, From Isaiah we read, "For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?" Isaiah 14:27

God refers to Himself as "I" 
Also, God refers to Himself by personal pronouns, the way you and I talk about ourselves and other persons. In Exodus 3:14, when commissioning Moses to free His people from slavery, He said in describing Himself, “I AM WHO I AM”. Thus, in the text He ascribes to Himself personality as well as many other attributes: self-existence, self-sufficiency, immutability, inscrutability, truth, and everything else that the I AM is. But He uses the personal pronoun “I” and establishes with Moses the unchanging wonder that He can be known as a person, divine though He is. God, from the first moment He revealed Himself to Moses, began a dialogue with him that has never ceased, for he is now in God's very presence communing with Him, face to face.

God, from the first moment He revealed Himself to Moses, began a dialogue with him that has never ceased, for he is now in God’s very presence communing with Him, face to face.

When God created man, He created him in His own image, with personality because God has personality. In the Garden God communed with Adam and Eve, person to person, instructing them about creation and their stewardship over it, about their relationship with each other and with Him. When we trace our roots back to the Garden we find that from the first breath man took, God was breathing out words of life and communicating with us in personal ways. This was His desire (emotion), His design (intellect) and His determination (will).

As a person, God is good
In exploring God’s personality we find that He tells us in His word that He is eternal, immutable, incomprehensible, love, good, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, perfection, self-existent, self-sufficient, creator, invisible, holy, gracious, wise, sovereign, omnipotent and infinitely more. But getting back to Moses, God tells him in Exodus 33:17 that he has found favor in His sight and that He knows him (Moses) by name. We then hear Moses say, “Please, show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God responds, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you.” (Exodus 33:19) Of all God’s glorious attributes, He chose to show Moses His goodness.

Keeping in mind that God is a person, in the next post, we will look upon what Moses saw, hidden as he was in the cleft of the rock, viewing only God’s backside. But God is desirous (emotions) that we partake from His determined revelation (will), the thoughts He has given us concerning His goodness (intellect). This so that we might know Him more fully, empowering us to live godly lives that bring glory to this One we can know intimately.

"...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." II Pet. 1:3-4.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Four - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on April 14, 2008 0 comments

Theology Three - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

Definition of Theology

There have been two posts so far about theology and as of yet, no definition given. It is important to put an accurate, but practical definition to this word that so many women find chilling and untouchable.

For that reason, I will not consult a dictionary, but instead a “real theologian”. In reading various books, I have found that the real theologians are in agreement with the definition of “theology”. For instance, Martyn Lloyd Jones defines theology this way:

"As theology is ultimately the knowledge of God, the more theology I know, the more it should drive me to seek to know God. Not to know “about” Him but to know Him! The whole object of salvation is to bring me to a knowledge of God."

Referring to one of the practical ways our theology, our knowledge of God, is demonstrated, Llyod-Jones continues, “If all my knowledge does not lead me to prayer there is something wrong somewhere.” Theology, then, should be leading me somewhere, specifically into a relationship with God.

Theology changes me
As I understand it, theology is a study that produces a profound inward change because of the relationship it leads to. It produces a change in my ideas about God and my inclination toward Him; it also produces a change in my activities, my attitude and my motives. Ultimately, when my body is laid to rest, my address will be changed. My habitation will be with the Lord forever and ever.

But, how does this happen? That's a good question. It happens because theology is a study of God from His own reference guide or autobiography. And in discovering this God - the God of life, love, hope, reality, mercy and grace, I am changed - made brand new. This change will be made more clear as we consider what theology is.

The source of theology is Scripture

Getting back to the source of our study, if I want to get to know God, what better source than His own description of Himself which was given to me for the very purpose of discovering Him? The Bible, in fact, is the only source of truth about God. All other writings about Him either expound on the truth of who He is taken from His word or are vain imaginations founded on "a god" that man creates in his own image.

In His word, as I study theology, I discover Him. And He not only tells me about myself but also what He expects of me - just how I should relate to Him. From the very first page of Scripture, with the very first man and woman that walked the earth, I find that there was communion between that man and woman and their Creator. God created us to relate rightly to Him.

Theology inspires "one thing"
In the book of Luke, I read again about that relationship, this time between the infinite God and two of His finite creatures named Martha and Mary. We see Jesus with them at their home in Bethany. Luke 10:40-42 relates to us a conversation between Martha and Jesus concerning her and her sister, "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.' ”

Mary and Martha were theologians. They were learning about their God. Mary sat at Christ's feet, attentive; Martha, distracted as she was from Him, did go to Him. Though her dialogue was that of a complaint, she addressed it to Jesus who then told her what she needed to hear. She listened and adjusted her relationship with Him.

"To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord is theology"

The one thing that Jesus tells Martha of in Luke, David in the Psalms, hundreds of years earlier, also knew of. That "one thing" is really the definition of theology. "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord." (Ps. 27:4-6)

Theology transforms me from a rebel to a worshipper
To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord is theology. When experienced, this "gazing" renders us worshippers of our magnificent God. That, in a nutshell, is what theology is and the change it makes within us. Gazing upon our beautiful God changes us from rebels to worshippers.

Theology then, is knowing God relationally in such a way as to influence our mindset, our ideas and activities, our wills and emotions. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that theology ought to result in conversation with God. Theology, properly taken in, should put us at Christ’s feet as disciples, ready and willing to be taught personally by Him and prepared to truly worship Him as a result.

Theology is something that is constantly and consistently changing us as we gaze upon the Lord. II Cor. 3:18 says, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." Theology leads us to be still and listen to God, to discover His will and redirect our whole being to obey, worship, love and enjoy Him when we otherwise would not if we lacked this knowledge that we call theology.

Who then is God? What can we know about Him? How can we know Him personally? And how will this knowledge be a stabilizing anchor in a woman’s life? This study will attempt to answer those questions by briefly exploring two avenues of theology. First, theology proper will give us insight as we look specifically at 1) the personality of God and 2) His goodness. And soteriology, in particular, 3) the believer’s union with Christ, will also help us acquire the life-changing information we seek.

Theology leads us to life and the Lover of our souls
If theology leaves you with only facts about God that could be scrawled on a cold classroom chalkboard, something you can erase, and when erased, forgotten from your mind, heart and will, then your theology is a dead study, and not really theology at all. Theology is unique to all other studies because it leads us to life. It is a living, breathing study that leads to the Giver of Life, the Lover of our souls and the One we bow before because we have actually gazed upon Him. This is theology!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Three - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on April 02, 2008 1 comments

Theology Two - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." Ps. 107:9

Theology - nourishment for all His daughters that hunger and thirst for Him
Theology is a gift from God and His gifts are good for all His children, regardless of tribe or nation or tongue or people. In third-world countries, most women continue after salvation to be bound to the culture due to illiteracy and/or lack of resources, crippled by the superstitions and practices of their dark world. Not until God’s women have a steady diet of His nourishing word will they be set free from the worldly deceptions that bind them, regardless of whether those lies are sophisticated or primitive.

There is a real need for a consistent intake of theology in the lives of women who have broken from the world and are growing spiritually, whether that break was recent or many years in the past. If she is a new believer, a woman will remain bound to her culture unless she has a steady, earnest and comprehensive intake of the word of God. For those who have walked awhile with Christ, the yawn of complacency is always waiting to meander its way into our innermost being.

Each day should reveal more of God’s perfections to us, especially at times when our lives are unchallenged by trials. Psalm. 27:4-5b tells us why this is necessary, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion….” Knowing Him now, while the waters of life are calm, will ensure that we will find Him to be our refuge when the winds howl.

Women, like men, can easily loose their sense of spiritual direction in the peak of a stormy trial. During the tumult, when our circumstances may seem to contradict our convictions, i.e. “How can God be good when this is happening to me?” are the times when our theology must really pass muster. When trials challenge our ideas about who God is, our theology must go to work for us like the anchor of a storm-tossed ship. Questions arise in our minds during trials and we begin, like Job, to dialogue ardently with God. If we are not anchored in the Scriptures, we can easily loose ground and be cast adrift on a sea beset with many "winds of doctrine". When we are sound in our theology, when we really know God, those questions will not hinder our faith but rather strengthen it.

In a world where there is no balance, stability will only be found within the pages of Scripture. The solid truths of historic Christianity, the whole counsel of God, the doctrines of the Bible – in short – theology, should be a Christian woman’s intake rather than the sweet, fluffy snippets, served up in dainty little devotional booklets that so often characterize a woman’s spiritual diet, especially in developed countries.

Consequently, in writing this article, it is important for me – rather it is imperative – to be able to not only recite the truths of theology, but also to demonstrate how they can be actualized in my life and in the lives of the women I teach, on any continent. Since God has given that opportunity, I must know how the theology I embrace here at home in my easy chair will prove to be practical also for women who work half the day simply to get a drink of water.

The truths of theology, when taken in as food for the soul, will change a woman’s perspective and way of living. Providing her with a solid foundation, these precious teachings will free any serious Christian woman from her worldly culture, provide balance and equip her for even the most difficult of circumstances. Armed with a real knowledge of God, she will be empowered to produce the fruit of righteousness in any situation or culture. Confidence, peace, joy, love, etc. will result and this fruit will ultimately resound to the glory of God.

Theology is necessary food - real food - for every Christian woman, no matter where she lives, or what her circumstances are. Dear Christian woman, what is your circumstance? Are you bound to destructive habits? It is because your worldly diet has malnourished you. Come to the table beautifully adorned with the sumptuous soul food prepared just for you by your Creator and Redeemer. He feeds the hungry, He heals the lame, He sets prisoners free. He is the very Bread of Life and the Living Water that our souls yearn for.

"Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David." Isa 55:1-3

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Theology Two - Soul Food for the Hungry Heart

on March 16, 2008 1 comments