Biblical Theology vs Secular Theology

 

1 Corinthians 1:18–31 (NASB95)

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 2:12–16 (NASB95)

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

For the past two Sundays we looked at why biblical sexual morality is a hill to die on. If you studied the early history of the U.S., you would wonder why we would need to take two weeks to discuss that. Biblical sexuality was normative for the laws of the land, but all that is changing. God’s wisdom is being replaced in our culture by man’s wisdom (which is ultimately demonic wisdom – see James 3:13ff). This has led to a battle in the courts over religious freedom vs sexual freedom. Why is there a battle between the two? Because they come from radically different worldviews (biblical theology vs secular theology). Look at the chart below to see how opposite these theologies really are:

 

WISDOM OF GOD WISDOM OF MEN
Theology Proper:

Fear and submit to God as our Creator, King, and coming Judge

Theology Proper:

God is a myth used by religion to oppress / control people

Bibliology:

Word of God is our final authority for life and relationships. Source of wisdom.

Bibliology:

Bible is filled with myths. Its ultimate message is foolishness.

Biblical morality is for our good and for the good of society (Dt. 10:12f) Biblical morality is a means of oppression to keep people under control
Satanology / Demonology:

Evil spirits are tempting us to rebel against God’s rightful rule.

Satanology / Demonology:

Evil spirits are a myth used by religion to control people through fear.

Anthropology:

The focus of life is GOD. We were created to bring Him glory.

Anthropology:

The focus of life is SELF. Bring glory to yourself, not a “god.”

Look to GOD for meaning, purpose, truth, happiness, fulfillment… Look WITHIN for meaning, purpose, truth, happiness, fulfillment…
Hamartiology:

Man is sinful – does bad things because he is totally depraved (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:10ff)

Hamartiology:

Man is basically good – does bad things because he has been deprived, oppressed, suppressed…

The heart of man is deceitful and cannot be trusted (Jer. 17:9; Eccl. 9:3; Mark 7:21ff; Eph. 4:22) The heart of man is basically good. You must follow your heart to be authentic.
Moral judgments are absolute, coming from God, flowing out of His moral nature. Moral judgments are simply a preference (Philip Rieff). You determine your own good and evil.
Gender is binary based on your sex at birth (male or female). Sex is biological (male or female) but gender is psychological
Sex is an action / behavior.

Moral or sinful.

Sex is an identity.

Authentic or inauthentic.

Learn from history

(Dt.; Ps. 78; Acts sermons)

Forget history. Filled with oppression – “the wrong side of history.” We have evolved and know better now.
Learn from older people (Ps. 78; Proverbs; Tit. 2) Don’t learn from older people (corrupt, myopic, and behind the times)
Soteriology:

Repent and trust in Jesus for forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life. Follow Him and live for His glory.

Soteriology:

No heaven. Live for the moment. Be happy and fulfilled by doing what you want. Follow your impulses and live for your own glory.

Self:

Believers must deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Jesus. He is our life and reason for living.

Self:

Self is ultimate. Everyone must be allowed to define their own concept of existence.

We could go on, but that’s enough to help you understand why secular people are making laws that forbid efforts to “convert” someone from their LGBTQ+ lifestyle to a heterosexual, monogamous lifestyle. They think it’s foolish to believe that someone can change in that area. In fact, some would say it is harmful, dangerous, and even immoral to try. But that is the power of the Gospel and our primary mandate from God (Mt. 28:16-20). The Gospel that we proclaim can change anyone (Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 5:14-21). When someone is born again, they go from death to life, darkness to light, child of the devil to child of God. And God not only gives them victory over the penalty of sin, He gives them victory over the power of sin. We will learn more about God’s power to change as we begin our study of 1 John this Sunday. I can’t wait to study it with you.

In the not-too-distant future, laws may be passed forbidding us from proclaiming the gospel. But as a church, we will continue to give people the “bad news” of their sin and coming judgment from God. And we will give them the “good news” of forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life as a free gift to all who come to God by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone. Praise God for the miracle of salvation. Give Him thanks for setting us free from slavery to sin. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!

Titus 3:3–5 (NASB95)

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NASB95)

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

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