It is so interesting to me that traditional '12-Step Recovery' is about our relationship to God and dependence on His power for our daily deliverance. I discovered this fact while in a 'secular' treatment center paid for by my insurance company! We do, however, hear many opinions concerning the knowledge of God and spirituality in both recovery settings and from society in general.
On page 53 of the Big Book of AA, a stunning statement is made that sounds almost 'Biblical' and stimulates an individual in recovery to radically alter his or her entire life: "... either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't." This is a powerful statement from a supposedly secular work...and sounds very familiar to Paul's words in Philippians 3:8, "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
For these reasons, I believe a life of studying theology is well worth our time and should be a natural progression if we recognize either (or both) statements above as true. As a reminder, this somewhat intimidating word has the following meaning:
Theology (from the Greek theos - God - and logos - word or reason) is reasoned discourse concerning God. More specifically, Christian theology is the rational study and understanding of the nature of God and doctrines of the Christian faith based on God's revelation of Himself, chiefly found in the Bible. (Theopedia)
Not only am I dependent on my relationship with God ... but I also need correct thoughts concerning God. These are not mutually exclusive! Help me Lord to know You and to think about You in a way that is honorable and not full of opinions. Help me to seek those works that both cultivate Your genuine Presence and informs my thoughts authentically...
Lane
On page 53 of the Big Book of AA, a stunning statement is made that sounds almost 'Biblical' and stimulates an individual in recovery to radically alter his or her entire life: "... either God is everything or else He is nothing. God either is, or He isn't." This is a powerful statement from a supposedly secular work...and sounds very familiar to Paul's words in Philippians 3:8, "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
For these reasons, I believe a life of studying theology is well worth our time and should be a natural progression if we recognize either (or both) statements above as true. As a reminder, this somewhat intimidating word has the following meaning:
Theology (from the Greek theos - God - and logos - word or reason) is reasoned discourse concerning God. More specifically, Christian theology is the rational study and understanding of the nature of God and doctrines of the Christian faith based on God's revelation of Himself, chiefly found in the Bible. (Theopedia)
Not only am I dependent on my relationship with God ... but I also need correct thoughts concerning God. These are not mutually exclusive! Help me Lord to know You and to think about You in a way that is honorable and not full of opinions. Help me to seek those works that both cultivate Your genuine Presence and informs my thoughts authentically...
Lane
3 comments:
We are so surrounded by Pop-theology,and are in need of sound Biblical teaching and instruction.
Most of us discount the power of the Holy Spirit to teach us.God's passion and will is to have an ongoing dialouge with each of us concerning
1.)Our lives in reference to His will
2.) Our character in reference to the character of His son.
3.) Our relationship with each other as modeled by His church.
mb
"Correct thoughts concerning God"... Absolutely critical in knowing God! Good word.
Thank you guys for your words...I have been focusing as of late on the authentic Gospel that was passed down to the apostles, namely Paul. It is so different than what is heard in the 'mainstream'... Jesus crucified for our sins, buried and risen on the 3rd day -- and the mystery of this gospel is 'Chist in us' which is our 'hope of glory'. Also, Paul says that the power greater than ourselves is this gospel...intersting.
Lane
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