Jesus or Theology

.
You may have all of this theology but give me Jesus.
You may have all of this theology but give me Jesus.
You may have all of this theology but give me Jesus.

From the shadow of His cross.

Excerpt from a statement of faith:
"We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. .... We believe that the work of the Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, convicts the world of its guilt, regenerates sinners, ...
He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service"

Doctrines rooted in man-made terms, ideas and explanations can even lead a believer away from the Lord Himself. Good doctrines are helpful, but growing in discipleship with the Lord Jesus Christ is more important. 632 Though there is Scriptural warrant and benefit to study the character of God and His ways. God does not call us to be theologians merely but disciples who practice what Jesus taught. "Christians now choose churches based upon particular doctrines, and having the right theology has become the most important thing rather than having the right lifestyle, all because a Biblical model has been abandoned.”633

from: Principle 26 ”“ Having a Right Doctrine but Wrong Spirit.pdf
https://gfel.org/principlesbook-3/

Brethren it is not relationship to a theology textbook we need. But it is relationship to a Living Savior. Theology will not sustain us in a prison cell or at the guillotine. But it will be the relationship to Jesus in the person of the Holy Spirit.

This is what our brothers and sisters have learned in the persecuted church.

....... Brother Blaine

Blaine,
I think I understand what you're trying to get across, But it's not an "either/or" thing, but both. The whole of scripture is crystal clear about this. And truly knowing Jesus & walking with Him is foundational, bud bad doctrine/theology can leave you hung up or struggling unnecessarily in error for longer than need be. We must never drift from the living Christ, but we need not leave right doctrine/theology behind to do so. The Lord doesn't require or ask that of us. Quite the opposite. Even though there are the churches in Revelation Christ rebukes for leaving their first love, he also commends some for holding sound doctrine & rebukes one for tolerating that wicked woman Jezebel, which solid immovable doctrine would be the start of preventing/stopping (followed by spiritual backbone & obedience in coming against "her").
God Bless,
Jeff

A thousand scriptures could be quoted to support what I'm saying: "make sure your doctrine", "Study to show thyself approved, a workman who needeth not be ashamed, but rightly dividing the Word of truth", etc., etc. And even the persecuted church under pressure faces the pressure of false doctrine, false teaching, bad theology, etc. I know this for a fact. So a living relationship with Jesus is first and foremost, but should be followed by a love for truth & a discernment shaped and exercised to discern true from false, good from bad doctrine/theology/etc. The two are not mutually exclusive polarity points, but a concert of two supporting themes in the life of a believer and the ministry of the church. Teachers & shepherds are actually in the 5-fold ministry gifts and callings (offices) God ordained. If we are not to despise prophecies, how much more are we not to despise sound doctrine? I think I know what you're getting at, but your statements are coming across as absolute and need further clarity from the scriptures brother.
God Bless,
Jeff

I think I understand what you're trying to get across, But it's not an "either/or" thing, but both

Jesus Himself is truth and the Holy Spirit leads into all truth. But I think man-made theology and theology terms is what Blaine is maybe suggesting. Such things can become idols in our hearts that we even start to love or seek more after then God Himself and the life of God.

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 16:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Good post David. Amen.

Theology = study of God from his revealed word about who he is.
Jesus = word that became flesh
relationship with Jesus Christ = getting to know him

Therefore:
theology = relationship with Jesus Christ

Condition: theology has to be done in the light of the Holy Spirit, and with the intention to obey God.

.
... Now as they observe the confidence of Peter and John and understood they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and begin to recognize them as having been with Jesus...Acts 4:13

Brothers and sisters it is those who are in relationship to Jesus who will advance His kingdom purposes. It is those who are in relationship to Jesus who will do the signs and wonders.

The kingdom of Christ will not advance through the hands of the professional theologian. Indeed it is a professional theologians who despises those who walk in the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus.

Those who risk their lives to minister in what we call the persecuted vhurch are not the hotshot theologians coming out of seminary environments. But it is the simple saint of God who is crucified with the Lord Jesus Christ and walks in power in the Holy Spirit who is doing the work of Christ.

My prayer would be that we would be uneducated, untrained men and Women of God who are in relationship to Jesus. Fortunately these will be the ones who will advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Greg,
Like I said, I agree also with what I "think" Blaine is trying to express. Dead men from cemeteries, I mean seminaries, with no vibrant life in Jesus are not the answer. However, using that one text of "unlearned men" being called as a broad brushstroke to diminish the entire NT's admonition a, warnings & clear instruction concerning study, sound doctrine, etc. is taking an isotext without context for a pretext. It's dangerous, unbiblical, & unbalanced. I say that with no arrogance or harshness either, but a love for the truth & as Jesus said in John, "father, Sanctify them by the truth. Thy Word is truth". I was called as unlearned, foolish, unwise, unnoble & simple man too. And I am never to esteem myself more highly than I ought. But this is not an excuse to not study to show myself approved, a workman "WHO NEED NOT BE ASHAMED", but rightly dividing the Word of truth. And the admonition a to "correct, rebuke, reprove....etc." and countless other New Testament scriptures to hold fast to Paul's way of life AND HIS DOCTRINE/TEACHING. I think Docs words were wise and rightly placed also. There are two extremes that are ditches are both sides of the highway to holiness. "Reactionary theology" is always problematic & overtime out of balance flips a table over. And I am in contact with underground churches in Iran & elsewhere & false doctrine is an issue at times. biblical Study & right doctrine puts it right side up & keeps the devil out. After all, the enemies greatest attempt to derail God is to question and pervert His Word. Same way since the Garden: "Did God really say?..." SPIRIT AND TRUTH.

Yep,
We are called to practice what he taught as disciples & a man in the Body is to be "apt to teach". How can we practice or teach if we don't study or understand, or truly know and rightly divide His Word? Simple answer is we can't. Not to the degree God calls us to. He gave us His Word for good reason. Many of Those underground churches in pressured lands with no Bibles give all they have and cherish a few pages of scripture, knowing its God's Word. Would they then say, "it doesn't matter what it says or means, as long as I walk with Jesus"? Of course not. We have the full Word. Tools. The Holy Spirit. Freedom. Time. To whom much is given, much will be required. Never tell the Body or even imply that Biblical doctrine & theology doesn't matter. That's in direct opposition to the Words of The apostles, The Word of God & Jesus Himself. Need to clarify your statements better or people get the wrong idea (& an unbiblical one).
God Bless,
Jeff

It depends on which 'spirit' they are filled with. Not the right one going on many observations.

I am a continuist. I believe in all the gifts. Like really, not just in theory. I believe in and need the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I would rather clean up a little messiness & handle it then outlaw it of course ("do not despise prophecies"). But telling people doctrine/theology don't matter is a whole other issue. It's unbiblical & almost invites error & biblical illiteracy/apathy, & is against NT teaching & il advised (unbalanced regardless of the intent).

Brothers and sisters do you think your systematic theologies or your expositional comnentaries or your Greek Hebrew lecicons are going to comform you to Jesus?

Will your seminary degrees bring you into the throne room. Will Calvin's Imstitutes or John Owen's works sustain you in the hell that will break out on this country.

The only Person who will sustain you will be Jesus Himself. For He alone is the living Word.

Brothers and sisters do you think your systematic theologies or your expositional comnentaries or your Greek Hebrew lecicons are going to comform you to Jesus?

Will your seminary degrees bring you into the throne room. Will Calvin's Imstitutes or John Owen's works sustain you in the hell that will break out on this country.

The only Person who will sustain you will be Jesus Himself. For He alone is the living Word.

Amen William.

Amen, amen. The knowledge of the Son of God is revealed in the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit. Without this knowledge through the revelation and illumination of the Word by the Spirit and practical experience (walked out) we will be tossed to and fro by "every wind of doctrine".

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Brother wear in the New Testament does it say we are called to study systematic commentaries
or Greek Hebrew lexicons. Where in the New Testament does it say that we are called to go to seminary or to Bible School.

We are called into a rwlationship woth the Living Word Himself through His Spirit living on us. That relationship is sustained by prayer and the Word and fellowship with other velievers.

In the end it is not theology or doctrine but Jesus.

No one said anything (before now) about necessity of commentaries or Seminary. I never said that (nor did you before now). That's why being clear is important. As far as in the NT the importance of Bible Study, Doctrine, Theology, right teaching, etc. it is CHOCK FULL of it. I already loosely quoted a dozen or so in recent posts, but can list MANY MANY more as soon as I have a chance. Probably later this afternoon.

And having a working knowledge and/or lexicons of the original language can be helpful because the original audiences knew these languages & words already. We don't. So it can be important. No offense brother, but that Seems like common sense? But you seem to be trying so hard to "make a point" that you're "overshooting" it (reactionary theology), honestly.

It is only when you have studied another language, that you begin to see the problems there are regarding translation. There are often words in another language that have no equivalent when you attempt to translate. Having lived in a foreign language country in Europe, and having studied four languages to various degrees, l understand this problem and very much appreciate the help that Greek and Hebrew exegetes can give me when l wrestle with scripture.

Brothers and sisters I hear from some of your posts that are called to be theologians. Nowhere in the New Testament are we called the be theologians. We are called to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be his vessels carrying the Risen Christ within our crucified lives. Theology will not accomplish this. But only a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Calvin, Luther, or Owen are not going to sustain you in the trials and tribulations that lie ahead. But only a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.

Not having Lexicons or knowing Greek, did not seem to affect Sadhu Sundar Singh, Prem Pradhan or Corrie Ten Boom in a negative way as far as knowing Christ. I have read all of Richard Wurmbrand's writings and can't remember once where he referred to a lexicon or greek interlinear.

It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be affected by it in one's soul. Great knowledge is not enough.

...John Bunyon...

I thought the quote by John Bunyan would be appropriate to this thread. One can have great theological knowledge. One can have great knowledge about the Bible. But if one's soul is not impacted by what they read or hear about God. All they have is mental knowledge that puffs up the mind. But does not expand the heart to love the Lord Jesus Christ more.

That's a bit ironic Blaine you would use that one isolated Bunyan quote. It's true that it's "not enough", but it's not exclusive or totally devoid of it either. I have several Bunyan books & have read them. Of Bunyan, Spurgeon said if you cut Bunyan he bleeds Bible! Bunyan was an amazing student of the study of God's Word. One of Bunyan's books Grace Abounding is about his struggles of faith early on & God teaching him through solid theology to demolish strongholds & walk in freedom & victory! Bunyan was a theologian of theologians! Lol. Seriously. But because it's "not enough" (alone) doesn't mean it does not matter at all. That type heavy swing reactionary extremism/absolutism is why right thinking, doctrine, theology & teaching are so needed.

"Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men.” ”“ John Bunyan

Brother the above quote by Bunyan reflects my own thinking. But I emphasize again it is a relationship with the living Christ. It is a relationship with the living Christ by his Holy Spirit living in us who writes His Word into our heart.

If we want to truly learn about Jesus. Then we will quietly be in His presence listening to Him. We will be as Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His Word. He will breathe His Word, His truth into our life. Theology will not do this. But only a living relationship with the Living Word Himself.

You will not get from any commentary or exegetical work or theology that which Jesus himself can breathe into her soyl.

As I said opening up this thread,

You can have all of this theology but give me Jesus.
You can have all of this theology but give me Jesus.
You can have all of this theology but give me Jesus.

Got a train to catch to Little Rock bro. Must stand down.

"If we want to truly learn about Jesus. Then we will quietly be in His presence listening to Him. We will be as Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His Word."
We can not be like Mary or Peter. They saw Jesus Christ physically in the flesh. When they listened to him there was no doubt that it was Jesus who was speaking. Many other eye witnesses testified also that it was him, and they saw his prophecies fulfilled etc.
When we sit down and listen to a spirit talking to us we do not know who it is. But luckily we have a bible to compare it to that describes who Jesus is. The bible says that we should not believe every spirit, but test the spirits. God the Holy Spirit doesn't mind at all if he is tested by his own words, he will always pass.
In a certain dark hour when we are heavily tempted we can not easily just sit at Jesus Christ's feet (if we could there would be no such thing as temptation), but we can always cry out: "It is written..." we can always use the sword of the Spirit when satan attacks us, which is not the smiling jesus who gives us a hug but the written word of God.
When we testify of Jesus to someone we can not talk about our personal experience with him only, but we should tell the person how He walked on the earth and was the fullfillment of all the prophecies. (All of these are objectively recorded)
There are 4 combinations we can choose from in terms of what to believe:
1. No scripture no Holy Spirit
2. Holy Spirit but no scripture
3. Scripture but no Holy Spirit
4. Scripture AND Holy Spirit

OP gives us a false impression that we have only 2 choices either 2 or 3.
OP initially satates that he believes in 2, later acknowledges 4 but essentially stands beside 2.
OP brands everyone that believes in 4 as if they would believe 3.
OP creates a false debate between the so called believers of 3 and himself who believes 2. The debate is false of course because no one believes in 3.
The purpose is to advertise 2, which is his belief and make it look more acceptable.
I think this tactic is deceptive and manipulative, not matching christian behavior.

Ephesians 4:29-30New American Standard Bible (NASB)

29 Let no [a]unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification [b]according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [c]by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Dear sister respectfully your post toward me did not reflect the above verses.

Respectfully submitted.

Very good opening post and comments Blaine This nasty opposition to the truths you expressed are not valid whatsoever. (and should be expected) Much religion without Jesus is a dangerous and nasty business as attested to this ridiculous and baseless reply you received

Blaine,
Please know I don't agree with the tone & comemts that could be taken as slander or accusatory. I don't disagree with what I think are your motives bro. I don't. I get what I think you're trying to say. I am just lovingly saying it needs to be better explained and counter balanced otherwise people get the wrong idea. Doctrine does matter. Theology does matter. Studying to show yourself approved does matter. Rightly dividing The Word of God & teaching it properly does matter (why "not many should presume to be teachers knowing stricter judgement awaits those who teach"), etc. But I am in no way attempting to slander you or accuse your motives bro. Please do not doubt that for a minute. I love your passion for the persecuted church (& share that burden as you are well aware - it is the Lord's burden and call as outlined in scriptures like Hebrews 13:3 & countless others directly and in principle). I just felt led to caution against the blanket statements & absolutism against right teaching, sound doctrine, & the Word. That's all. I will post those verses later. I had a long and really trying day on little sleep today, but I will get to it.
God Bless,
Jeff

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:

THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE." (John 6:63)

Selah!!

That's good enough for me.

by docs on 2016/7/12 10:08:52

/"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:

THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE." (John 6:63)

Selah!!

That's good enough for me./

If that means no study is really necessary or useful just give me the Spirit then I see it as a unbalanced statement.

Ahhh, but you know I study.

Let me balance that statement which just proves we cannot isolate single scriptures to build our theologies, which many do, all the time.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15)

Brethren I want to be clear on one thing. I do not despise the scriptures as I recognize that they are needed to maintain a living and vital relationship to Jesus Christ. Despite the thinking of some in this forum the scriptures are an important part of my life along with prayer. I believe my posts in both my devotional thread on the persecuted church as well as other threads I have opened up should demonstrate this.

During the early days of the Jesus movement that I was part of I was trained by both campus Crusade and The Navigators to have a love for scriptures and the power that they bring to the Holy Spirit to change one's life.

So please let me be specific I do not despise the scriptures. Let me say again I do not despise the scriptures. Again let me say I do not despise the scriptures.

For those who think otherwise and this for him I cannot be any clearer above than what I have been saying dot....... I do not despise the scriptures.

I have read through the New Testament hundreds of times being legally blind I spend several hundred hours listening to the audio Bible even in my sleep. So again. Please let me be specific. I do not despise the scriptures.

Where I at odds with many in this forum is that I believe that the Holy Spirit can speak audibly His Word into our heart and mind. I believe the Holy Spirit can breathe his word into our soul. I believe the scriptures are living as Jesus said that His Words are Spirit and truth.

I used to be in a movement known as Calvinism. I was probably more Calvinistic than many in this forum. I was taught to defend TULIP with my dying breath. I was taught that it was more important to have a right theological Library then to have the fruit of the Spirit.

The funny thing about Calvinists that they claim to be word centered. They claim to be about the scriptures. Yet in my experience with Calvin is the scriptures were secondary to theology. Far better to read John Owen or Calvin then to read the New Testament. In my experience is with Calvinism I never read once through the New Testament.

It was only after leaving Calvinism. And it was only after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit that I've developed a love for the Word of God.

The Calvinists accuse us of being weak in the scripture. There are those in the Forum, perhaps of Calvinist suasion, who accused us of emphasizing Spirit experiences and not the Word. Yet I know many tongue-talking baptized in the Holy Spirit Pentecostal believers who are very strong in the word. And I dare say it read it more than my Calvinistic brethren.

This post is getting rather lengthy so I will start another post to flesh out my thoughts here.

.
... Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth...2 Timothy 2:15

I think the New American Standard gives a more accurate thought in the above verse. I do not think 2nd Timothy 2:15 is saying we need to get our Bibles and critical commentaries out to extrapolate theological doctrine.

I believe the emphasis is more on having our New Testaments or Bibles out, being before the Holy Spirit asking how He would reveal Jesus Christ to us. And then how we would follow Him.

Consider 2 Timothy 3:14-17,

... You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reprove, for correction, or training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

In the above verses Paul is telling Timothy that the word of God is sufficient to instruct Him in faith in Jesus Christ and living out that faith. He is also telling him that the scriptures are sufficient for every good work in Christ. That would be ministry.

Noticed Paul is not telling Timothy to get critical commentary for exegetical work to understand the word of God. But simply to let the word of God speak into His heart and mind. How to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit instructing him and teaching him.

Brothers and sisters if we believe Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Then the same Jesus that spoken to the heart and mind of Timothy through the scriptures can speak into our heart and mind through the scriptures. We do not need commentaries or exegetical works to open up the word of God. All we need is the Spirit of God himself since He is the author of scripture.

I close with this quotation by John Bunyan. Some have said he was a theolohian. Alright I will not debate that. But it was set up Bunyan that the only library he ever had was his Bible.

... Read and read again, and do not despair of help to understand the will and mind of God though you think they are locked up from you. Neither trouble your heads you have not commentaries are expositions. Pray and read and read and pray for a little from God is better than a whole lot from men...

Spurgeon supposedly said that if you cut Bunyan he would not believe blood but bleed scripture. I believe the quote accurateky articulates Bunyon's experience with the Word of God. Notice he would not bleed blood. And he certainly would not bleed theology. But he would bleed the Living Word of God himself.

Indeed a little from God is better than a whole lot from them. Or I would say a little from God is better than a whole lot from theologians.

Simply my thoughts.

Ephesians 4:11-16King James Version (KJV)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

docs on 2016/7/12 14:24:05

You study you say. Well ha, I thought you were a heretic two times over! My mistake, I must have been hearing rumors.

I enjoy the wonderful company of Jesus, who was also accused of being a heretic.

Blain, what is your definition of theology?

The Calvinists accuse us of being weak in the scripture. There are those in the Forum, perhaps of Calvinist suasion, who accused us of emphasizing Spirit experiences and not the Word. Yet I know many tongue-talking baptized in the Holy Spirit Pentecostal believers who are very strong in the word. And I dare say it read it more than my Calvinistic brethren.

To make it clear SermonIndex does not make this distinction, we are glad to call brothers those would call themselves calvinists or pentecostals. It is not even what theology we have but are we in right relation to the Saviour? Does He know us and is His spirit in us?

2 Corinthians 13:5 New International Version (NIV)

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you””unless, of course, you fail the test?

.
The Bible is a wonderful book. It is the truth about the Truth. It is not the Truth. A sermon taken from the Bible can be a wonderful thing to hear. It is the truth about the truth about the truth. But it is not the truth. There have been many books written about the things contained in the Bible. I have written some myself. They can be quite wonderful to read. They are the truth about the truth about truth about the Truth. But they are NOT the Truth. Only Jesus Christ is the Truth. Sometimes the Truth can be drowned in a multitude of words.

Everyone engages in theology. Everyone has a theology. The word "theology" is derived from two Greek words, theos meaning "God," and logos meaning "word" with extended meanings of "reasoning" or "logic." Theology refers to "reasoning about God." Everyone has some "reasoning about God," including the atheist who rejects the "god" he has reasoned about.

Christians should not be afraid of theology or have an aversion towards theology. Theology is not necessarily overly intellectual or "unspiritual." Granted, there has been much theology that has been nothing more than academic exercises in "God-talk," but this does not negate the legitimacy of genuine theological consideration which seeks Biblical documentation and spiritual understanding.

In analyzing the theological systems that predominate today, it is important that we remain as objective as possible. We do not want to misrepresent what others believe. We do not want to set up "straw men," which any wind-bag could blow down. We do not want to engage in ballistic brick-throwing and unloving polemics against Christian peoples who hold differing theological opinions.

Genuine and sincere Bible-believing Christians subscribe to varying theological systems. Never do we want to "write someone off" and deny that they are our Christian brother or sister because they organize their "belief-system" differently that we do, provided they profess that Jesus is the Christ and have received Him by faith. Christian unity is not uniformity of thought or ideology. We seek a unity of love despite diversity of opinion, understanding, interpretation or theological explanation. Our unity is in Christ, not in theological constructions.

In this study we will be considering the two predominant theological systems in conservative Christian theology today (Covenant theology and Dispensational theology), and then proposing another theological interpretation (Christocentric theology), that avoids some of the problems presented by the other two. This will necessarily involve some critique of the predominant theological systems and their presuppositions. Questions will be asked about their premises, some of which beg for an answer. We seek not to destroy these theological systems, but to honestly inquire, question and confront. In that these theological systems have innumerable variations among their proponents with subtle nuances of differing interpretation, we must attempt to analyze the over-all system and simplify the issues involved without being so simplistic as to misrepresent. Not an easy task!

This is one of those really good papers about Christocentric theology that you want to file somewhere, handy.
http://www.christinyou.net/pages/dthcthchth.html