Staying Current with Theological Scholarship and Research Developments
Staying Current with Theological Scholarship and Research Developments
The concept of staying current with theological scholarship and research developments is deeply rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of perseverance and continuity in faith and doctrine. In John 8:31, Jesus is quoted as saying, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" [2]. This instruction underscores the necessity of not only receiving God's truth but also retaining and walking in it.
The biblical basis for staying current with theological scholarship is further reinforced in 1 John 2:24, where believers are exhorted to "let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning" [1]. This passage highlights the importance of continuity in doctrine and faith, ensuring that the teachings received from the apostles are retained and lived out.
The Greek term "menō" (remain or abide) is crucial in understanding the Johannine literature's emphasis on continuity. In John 15:4, Jesus teaches that a growing disciple must be continuously connected to Him [3]. This connection is facilitated through the Spirit and is essential for spiritual growth and remaining in fellowship with Christ.
The importance of meditation and being wholly absorbed in spiritual things is also stressed in 1 Timothy 4:15, where Timothy is encouraged to "meditate carefully upon these things" and to "give thyself wholly to them" [4]. This practice is seen as essential for spiritual nourishment and proficiency.
Different Christian traditions interpret the imperative to stay current with theological scholarship in various ways. For instance, the Presbyterian tradition, as reflected in the commentary on 1 Timothy, emphasizes the importance of diligent study and meditation on scripture [4]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary on Psalms 78:6, highlights the role of the Spirit in illuminating divine truths and the importance of a spiritual and experimental knowledge of God's word [6].
The Protestant academic tradition, represented by the Tyndale House commentary on 1 John 2:28, notes that remaining in fellowship with Christ involves not being misled by false teachings and being prepared for Christ's return [5]. This tradition emphasizes the need for discernment and adherence to sound doctrine.
In 2 Timothy 3:13, believers are exhorted to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned" [7]. This exhortation is grounded in the understanding that true knowledge and experience of the Gospel are not merely theoretical but spiritual and experimental.
The historical development of the doctrine of perseverance and continuity in faith is closely tied to the early Christian church's struggles against false teachings and the need for a robust theological foundation. The writings of the apostles and the early church fathers reflect this concern, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the teachings received from the beginning.
Sources
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:24: Let that therefore abide in you - Continue in the doctrines concerning the incarnation, passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Lord Jesus, which you have heard preached from the beginning by us his apostles. Ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father - Ye who are preachers shall not only be acknowledged as ministers of the Church of Christ, but be genuine children of God, by faith in the Son of his love; and ye all, thus continuing, shall have fellowship with the Father and with the Son.”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 8:31: If ye continue in my word - Or, in this doctrine of mine. It is not enough to receive God's truth - we must retain and walk in it. And it is only when we receive the truth, love it, keep it, and walk in it, that we are the genuine disciples of Christ.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:4: 15:4 The term remain (Greek menō) is key to understanding 15:4-10. A growing disciple, in whom the Father and the Son live through the Spirit, must be continuously connected to Christ (see 14:16-25; 15:26).”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:28: 2:28-29 To remain in fellowship with Christ means, in part, not being misled by any kind of false teaching. If John’s readers listen to the false teachers, they will not be in fellowship with Christ and will have reason to shrink back from him in shame when he returns, because of the judgment coming upon them.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:6: That the generation to come might know them,.... Not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally; which is the case, when human teachings are attended with the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths; for the truths of the Gospel are unknown to men; the Gospel is hidden wisdom, the wisdom of God in a mystery; the Bible is a sealed book, the doctrines of it are riddles and dark sayings; the ministry of the word is the means of knowledge, which become effectual when attended with the Spirit and power of God: even the children which sho”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 3:13: But continue thou in the things,.... That is, in the doctrines of the Gospel, and not be moved away from them, either through the malice or persecutions, or the cunning sleight of men that lie in wait to deceive; and which is an exhortation suitable to the godly in all ages: and what follow are so many reasons enforcing it: which thou hast learned: not merely in a theoretical way, as arts and sciences are learned, but in a spiritual and experimental manner; a comfortable knowledge and experience of which he had attained unto; and were not like those in Ti2 3:7, w”