Introduction to Theology Proper

The topics that will be discussed in this introduction of Theology Proper are a Definition of Theology Proper, Sources of Knowledge of Theology Proper, and Concluding remarks about Theology Proper.

Definition of Theology Proper

Here is a definition of Theology Proper. Theology Proper is a scientific investigation of what may be known of the existence, persons, and characteristics of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit; apart from their works. (This study, however, may include some of His works.)
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Sources of Knowledge of Theology Proper

What is the source of knowledge of God? Some rely on intuition, some on tradition, to others reason is the source of knowledge. What about you? This question is for you. Perhaps you are among those of us who shout, “Divine revelation of course!” That’s good, let’s define that together shall we? Brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot afford to sluff off our privileged responsibility and reasonable duty to proclaim “…the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” (cf. Jude 3)
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Imagine that you are on the way to a Bible conference. Sitting in the back seat of a car, you find yourself listening into a conversation between a stalwart fundamentalist and his protégé. The voice of the more mature saint makes this surprising declaration “Ya know Ernie; there are just too many flat nosed preachers today.”

The curious young Bible student inquires of his respected mentor, “Wha da ya mean Clarence?”

“Well Ernie, in the Book of Leviticus [Ch.21], God is explaining the rules of separation for his priests. There is mention [v.18] that a man with any blemish should not offer the bread, one such blemish that is spoken of is a flat nose.”

Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous… (Lev.21:17-18)

…they must not serve at the altar, at either of the altars, nor be admitted to attend or assist the other priests in offering sacrifice or burning incense… (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible,1662 - 1714)

“Oh!” exclaims the budding preacher from Texas, as if for a moment a switch was tripped and a light came on “…but what do you gather from that?”

“You see Ernie, some feel that the term ‘flat nose’ in Leviticus refers to a cleft pallet, that may or may not be the case, either way the nose is the apparatuses to facilitate the sense of smell and taste. Those with a ‘flat nose’ were forbidden to perform certain duties to God because of it. Today there are a number of preachers who go sniffing around theology as though it were a smorgasbord.” Taking a few rapid sniffs as a living illustration Clarence continues, “Mm, Mm, get a whiff of the Bible. That smells good.” Sniffing again into the air he continues, “What’s that, German relativism.” Sniff, sniff, “…and that, French rationalism, and that, Secular humanism. Mm, Mm, I can hardly wait, season it all with Roman tradition, ooh what a treat! We can call it religious ecumenism...”
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There are preachers today that have no discernment about good or bad theology. They go around smelling and tasting piles of doctrinal dung. They sincerely do not even know that they are eating and therefore they continue to feed there flock a variety of garbage. Their sniffer is broke, it’s snuffed out. Their taste buds are shot, they have become tasteless. They have a spiritual cleft pallet and are indeed “flat nose preachers”. It is a sobering reality that there are some popular speakers infecting the theological arena with the rotting stench of legalism and others with the creeping crud of liberalism. The Bible is good so long they can pile it on or mix it into it into the buffet of their own interests. It suits them fine as long as they can take liberty to pick and choose from its sacred texts, cutting out, as it were with a penknife what is relevant for their own personal gain. In some cases to make a name for them selves, we can find them demanding more from the world than Christ Himself would, while in other cases adopting a "live as you please" attitude so long as you’re positive and help build a crystal empire on earth.

New Evangelicals are in the business of trying to unite these flat nosed thoughts with biblical and balanced, old line Fundamentalism. Success is not an option to these infiltrators; it is a must, and many brethren have been poisoned by their philosophy not being aware of the venomous ingredients found in their various views.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have a task before us just now in 2007. The clarion has sounded sharp and shrill and we too must be clear. Clear in our understanding. Clear in our teaching and clear in our preaching as purveyors of the truth. Pilot asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Evidently he knew full well Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life, for he went back out and declared to those gathered, “I find no fault in Him at all.” (Jn. 18:38) The question put before us is, "What is the source of truth?" We will examine various opinions so that we may be prepared to discern the difference between a wholesome theological banquet, and some of the less savory errors that have been introduced and included in our victuals at our love feasts in our local churches. Remember we have the privileged responsibility and reasonable duty to proclaim the faith which was once delivered to the saints, and we cannot afford to be slothful. (cf. Jude 3)

In His fellowship,
Brother John