Thinking Theologically

Theological Preconceived Notions and Societal Positions Part 1 of Thinking Theologically series One position I grew up having instilled in me from an early age that has changed over time is best known as King James Onlyism. This is the belief that the Authorized 1611 King James Version of the Bible is the only acceptable Bible to read or study from. My parents were staunch in this view, as well as the church we were involved in, in the 1980s. However, over the past three decades, this view has changed dramatically. The change in position started in the early 1990s when my parents noticed I was having difficulty in middle school with using other translations of the Bible. (I went to a private Christian school for sixth grade.) My parents bought me a New King James Version (Thomas Nelson Publishers) for my birthday, and I wore it out over the next few years. When I graduated high school (1998), my parents gave me a Thompson Chain Reference Bible in KJV. The shift was slow. My parents still prefer the KJV, but will accept other translations. I hold to the thought that all English translations are just that, translations. As such, the best translation is the one that gets read. I prefer to read from a variety of translations and currently review Bibles on 90 and Out (online social media ministry I lead). I have seen this shift with the greater CoGoP over the same time period, as well. I remember the KJV being used nearly exclusively by pastors and speakers in local churches and during conventions, of which my parents took me to many. Now, I have to pay more attention to which translation the speaker or pastor is using. Overall, I think this is a great benefit and allows for greater understanding of the text. By the way, this great use and plethora of English translations of the Bible lead to a wide ray of interpretations and traditions. The key is to not divorce the Gospel (everyone is a sinner in need of saving, and salvation is only through Jesus Christ) and one’s daily practices. One’s core beliefs dictate one’s practices. If one truly believes the Gospel, then it will permeate into every aspect of their lives. Their very lives will bear witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now it is true, each person may display this fundamental truth in a variety of ways, but all other traditions and actions must be predicated on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, one must take every societal message or position and line it up with the Law of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To truly be a Christian, Christ-like, one must know the truth and live it out in their daily life. A closet Christian does not exist. For a Christian is called to be in the world, but not of the world. 90 & Out is a video commentary on the Christian Bible with new episodes uploaded periodically. 90 & Out is written, directed, and presented by Timothy Holt. Timothy Holt believes the Christian Bible can be read easily but may take some effort to understand. With so many variations out there, how does one start their search for the truth? Hopefully, this channel will help you read and understand the Christian Bible more fully, as well as being entertained. "The pursuit of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom" -ancient Jewish proverb Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Or https://holtscountertops.etsy.com Contact us @ [email protected] On other platforms: 90 and Out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805 On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@90out10 Thank you for watching this video and I hope it has impacted your life. Please subscribe for more video content. Comment, like, and share. Or consider showing support with a monetary contribution using the PayPal link below. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U All copyrights and trademarks are owned and retained by their respective holders. Music was produced by Timothy Holt and is his sole intellectual property.

Experience, Reason, Tradition, Scripture What Shapes Your Theology Experience, reason, tradition, and scripture, all play important roles in the formation and continuation of one’s theology. Without scripture, one has no firm foundation. For what would we have without the scriptures meticulously passed down from generation to generation? Something wholly different. What would we have without the tradition of the passing down of scripture for is scripture, itself, not a tradition? Again, something wholly different. Tradition and scripture are inexplicably intertwined. One does not exist without the other. Yes, pentecostalism has a closed cannon, that is to say, a set of sacred books which cannot be added to, but these books are part of a greater tradition known as Protestantism. If tradition and scripture are passed down from one to another and are intertwined, how does reason and experience facture into one’s formation of theology? The answer to this question is quite simple and, yet, too complex for a short essay in an undergraduate class. The simple answer lies with the definitions of experience and reason. Reason is defined as “the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.” (Oxford) With critical analysis and a process of logic, one can evaluate scripture and tradition to gain understanding. As the ancient proverb exclaims: “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” (Proverbs 4:5a NKJV) The entire process of evaluation, application, and reevaluation is known as experience. An old saying states: “If we are free to make wise decisions, then we must be free to make foolish decisions. For it is often in our foolishness, we gain wisdom.” Since each individual has different experiences which shape their theological framework, one must take the time and make the effort to understand the other’s point of view. Otherwise, both people may find themselves talking past one another instead of with one another. Take the local church as an example. In my local church, we have two prominent families who trace back to the founding of this congregation over one hundred years ago. They have roots that run deep. They, their parents, and grandparents labored in this church. To disregard their viewpoints or convictions would be foolhardy. They are generous and compassionate. This is exemplified through the foodbank, monthly food giveaway, and summer lunch programs. Their service is an extension of the theological understanding that we are to be generous as God is generous and take care of the poor and destitute. If we are not in the community and affect the community through our very lives, then Christ’s death is in vain and is not in work in us and through us. (1 John 3 summarized) As for other social issues, they do not seem to be sources of conflict nor issues of interest affecting my local church. Therefore, I cannot speak of such topics as affecting the local church, but can only speak to them in broader and subsequently more academic terms. In all areas of life, one must fall on the universal truth of God. As the signers of the Declaration of Independence so concisely appealed to: the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God. Through one's own reason and experience, they may know God, but only through the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved. For without the understanding and realization of one’s own depravity and lawlessness, all of the generosity in the world cannot redeem one’s rebellion against God and these acts of social justice are hollow and for not. I leave the reader with this: as the interviewer states, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV) 90 & Out is written, directed, and presented by Timothy Holt. Timothy Holt believes the Christian Bible can be read easily but may take some effort to understand. With so many variations out there, how does one start their search for the truth? Hopefully, this channel will help you read and understand the Christian Bible more fully, as well as being entertained. Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Or https://holtscountertops.etsy.com Monetary contributions can be made @ https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U On other platforms: 90 and Out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805 All copyrights and trademarks are owned and retained by their respective holders. Music was produced by Timothy Holt and is his sole intellectual property.

What is the Gospel? “The gospel is the touchstone for Christians; it is the core of meaning behind their faith, behind what they do and what happens to them.” (Stone and Duke, 72) This quote sums up the entirety of the Christian’s existence in a nutshell. Without the gospel having such a preeminent position, can the Christian truly claim to be a Christian? By definition, the Christian is to be like the Anointed One. Christian is derived from christ, (christos) meaning anointed one and -ian, meaning to be like (Merriam-Webster, definitions). Therefore, if Christ, the Anointed One, and His message of good news (the gospel) is not at the forefront of the Christians thinking and actions, are they truly Christian or are they partly or wholly something else? Many have sought to argue both ways, and while dedicating immense resources and energy, few have been able to divorce the gospel (good news) of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth with the teachings of the same man. Paul encourages and corrects Christians in Rome, Galatia, and Corinth concerning preaching any other gospel. (see 1 Cor. 15, Rom. 1, and Gal. 1) C.S. Lewis coined the trilemma argument. In short, Jesus of Nazareth was either a lying conman, meaning he knew what he taught was false, but deceived his followers anyway. In which case, he, Jesus, should be soundly condemned and rejected. He was a lunatic, meaning he believed what he claimed to be true all the while the claims being, in reality, false. In this case, he, Jesus, should be pitied and his teachings rejected. Or Jesus of Nazareth is who he claimed to be and therefore, we (all of mankind) must wrestle with the reality of his teachings and order our lives to Him. (Mere Christianity) The Gospel of Jesus Christ is hope for the sinner who follows Him, but a noose to those who reject His call to repentance and gift of Salvation. For there is no other why for men to be saved. (Acts 4) Now let's turn our attention to how this reality and touchstone plays out in life with the Great Peasants’ War in 1524 in Germany. On what basis should the Christian take up arms against those who are in government? This is the core of the Great Peasants’ War and the response by Martin Luther. Many may argue for or against Luther’s mediation, but few can deny, Luther’s position of condemnation of both sides for their evil ways. The nobles with their heavy hands and burdensome demands and the peasants with their violence and thievery. Is this any different than many conflicts waged in our own lives and world? Far from it. Whether it is the Arab Spring in Egypt, or the Ukrainian- Russian War, the illegal immigration on the US- Mexico border, or killing our children through abortion, the heart of man is deceitful in all his ways (Jer 17) for which no cure can be found outside Christ. The Gospel is the hope of all mankind. Jesus instructs his disciple to be like him. (Mat. 28) How did Christ handle the evils of the first century A.D.? Well, that is a deep subject which we cannot hope to cover in such a short essay. So, I will leave the reading with this. Don’t take my opinion for fact; read it for yourself. ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mat. 5:43-45 NKJV) 90 & Out is a video commentary on the Christian Bible with new episodes uploaded periodically. 90 & Out is written, directed, and presented by Timothy Holt. Timothy Holt believes the Christian Bible can be read easily but may take some effort to understand. With so many variations out there, how does one start their search for the truth? Hopefully, this channel will help you read and understand the Christian Bible more fully, as well as being entertained. "The pursuit of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom" -ancient Jewish proverb Thank you for watching this video and I hope it has impacted your life. Please subscribe for more video content. Comment, like, and share. Or consider showing support with a monetary contribution using the PayPal link below. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Or https://holtscountertops.etsy.com Contact us @ [email protected] On other platforms: 90 and Out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805 All copyrights and trademarks are owned and retained by their respective holders. Stone, Howard W., and James O. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.

What is you purpose in life? Everyone has asked this question, but have you found the answer? 90 & Out is a video commentary on the Christian Bible with new episodes uploaded periodically. 90 & Out is written, directed, and presented by Timothy Holt. Timothy Holt serves as youth pastor at Six Points Church in Parker, PA and is the former children's pastor at Westdale Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. Timothy Holt believes the Christian Bible can be read easily but may take some effort to understand. With so many variations out there, how does one start their search for the truth? Hopefully, this channel will help you read and understand the Christian Bible more fully, as well as being entertained. "The pursuit of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom" -ancient Jewish proverb Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Or https://holtscountertops.etsy.com Contact us @ [email protected] On other platforms: 90 and Out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805 On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@90out10 On Truth Social Truth Social Thank you for watching this video and I hope it has impacted your life. Please subscribe for more video content. Comment, like, and share. Or consider showing support with a monetary contribution using the PayPal link below. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U All copyrights and trademarks are owned and retained by their respective holders. Music was produced by Timothy Holt and is his sole intellectual property. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Where shall I start? Our textbook reading for this week left me scratching my head. I was not able to concentrate on the text well this week. Unfortunately, I am unable to sight the text well and can only give my thoughts on the subject of the first question at hand with barely a reference to Stone and Duke’s work. Even prior to reading the textbook for this week, I have been convinced for quite some time that critical inquiry and rigorous scrutiny is of the utmost importance when discussing pressing issues affecting the church and society. Stone and Duke define critical inquiry as “reflection that takes an honest, observant, probing stance toward everything that the Christian encounters as a theologian.” (page 114) With this definition, I find the obvious follow up question to ask is what constitutes “everything that a Christian encounters as a theologian”? Does a Christian hide in a closet or retreat from society at large? No. Christians are directed by Jesus of Nazareth to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19a NKJV) As previously established, all Christians are theologians and that Christ should permeate throughout every aspect of the Christian’s life. (Stone and Duke, 1 and 98) Therefore, the conclusion is simple; “everything that the Christian encounters as a theologian is everything the Christian encounters. This simple truth includes interactions with the society at large. I reject the notion of a private faith. Christian faith is public because Christian living is public, and the Christian is called to “go … and make disciples …”. If a Christian denies being a theologian or the public element of their faith by restricting their observances to private actions only, how will anyone know that they are a disciple? No one will know because they are not exemplifying Christ. By definition, to be a Christian, one must be like Christ and follow his teachings. This brings me to the second question postulated. It has been said, “No man is an island.” How true is this statement when discussing the need for Christians to fellowship one with another. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (10:24-25 NKJV) Solomon gives this ancient proverb as well, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV) Long before Christians were known as Christians, people have been engaged in rigorous debate and sharpening one another. Without counter arguments and cross-examination, how will one gain wisdom and understanding? This relationship between wisdom and understanding paired with debate, discussion, and correction is a running theme throughout the Bible. From numerous Proverbs to instruction in Hebrews and elsewhere, the thrust for meaningful discourse and dialogue in the community of faith is undeniable. One may come to Christ independently, but one cannot explore the depths of understanding and the mysteries of God without others traveling the path of righteousness with them. A few such texts are Proverbs 12:1 which implies the need for reproof from someone, Hebrews 12:10 which illustrates the need for discipline and training (a cooperative engagement), 2 Timothy 3:16 which states the purpose of scripture, Galatians 6:1 with instructions on church discipline, and Matthew 18:15-17 with Jesus giving instruction on settling disputes among believers. This list is, by no means, exhaustive. It serves as a sample for the reader to give them a taste of the magnitude of importance for believers to come together and learn one with another. I will conclude this week's essay with this: Let us always be ready and willing to give a sound reason for our faith. (1 Peter 3:15-16) Not from vain stories of fables and tales of fancy, but of history. May our faith be grounded firmly in reality with evidence and reason. May it be honed in the forge of discourse and purged of all heresy is the cauldron of scrutiny for our faith is not fanciful nor made of fairytales. Let us stand and do all we can to stand, standing all the more by putting on the whole armor of God. Just as the Roman soldier was only strong in the formation of his unit, so too must we come together, train, and fight as a unit against evil in high places. For we fight not against flesh and blood, but against every evil thing and powers of darkness in high places. (Ephesians 6:10-20) May we encourage one another in all good works while giving all honor and praise to the one who saved us, Jesus the Christ. Consider support us with PayPal. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Contact us @ [email protected] on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805

Going through the Bible in One Year with 90 and Out. We are reading through the whole Bible in 365 days using the One Year Chronological Bible in NLT by Tyndale Publishing. May you enjoy reading through the Bible with us and gain a new understanding of these timeless texts. 90 & Out is a video commentary on the Christian Bible with new episodes uploaded periodically. 90 & Out is written, directed, and presented by Timothy Holt. Timothy Holt serves as youth pastor at Six Points Church in Parker, PA and is the former children's pastor at Westdale Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. Timothy Holt believes the Christian Bible can be read easily but may take some effort to understand. With so many variations out there, how does one start their search for the truth? Hopefully, this channel will help you read and understand the Christian Bible more fully, as well as being entertained. "The pursuit of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom" -ancient Jewish proverb Get Merch @ https://www.stickermule.com/ce4c064d751047c Or https://holtscountertops.etsy.com Contact us @ [email protected] On other platforms: 90 and Out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15kWKTjtj6/ On Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-562805 On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@90out10 On Truth Social Truth Social Thank you for watching this video and I hope it has impacted your life. Please subscribe for more video content. Comment, like, and share. Or consider showing support with a monetary contribution using the PayPal link below. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VD7ZP9QZB728U All copyrights and trademarks are owned and retained by their respective holders. Music was produced by Timothy Holt and is his sole intellectual property. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.