Eat your theology books!

Posted: September 26th, 2009 | Author: Arnold | Filed under: Theology | Tags: | View Comments

We have a way to say this back in the province: “Isaksak mo yan sa baga mo!”

This is exactly what I want to tell some “Christians”, self-proclaimed theologians, self-proclaimed spiritual police who lives out of bashing other Christians that doesn’t believe the way they do.

Today was hell in Metro Manila. Flash floods raged. People are trapped on their roofs. Some pregnant women even gave birth while waiting to be rescued — while in their roof! Then a wise “theologian” posted this on his Facebook account:

Funny how people only come to God in times of disasters, and yet they don’t see anything wrong with that. Doesn’t matter anyway ‘coz we all gonna go to Heaven right? Nothing is farther from the truth.

Huh!?

People are suffering and all you can think of is your correctness? This angers me. I mean, really angered me. We’re Christians claiming to believe in Jesus and all we can think of is how correct we are? Did we even try to pray for those who are trapped on their roofs and calling to God for the first time in their lives? Did you do anything else? Like help those in need in your area? Or donate to Red Cross? Or Tweet about those who needs help?

It confirms what others have been telling — that Christians are good in talking and not doing. Where is compassion among God’s people? I thought we’re God’s hands and feet? Or do you want to define what “compassion” in Greek first?

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Will people be thinking about Calvinism or even eternity in times like these?

Upon my dialogue with this guy, he said that being concern of their eternity is much important than the temporal. Well, duh! Tell that to the hungry people in Africa. Tell that to the people who are still in danger, on their roof top in Marikina. And tell that to Jesus, when he said:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’… “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘” Matt. 26:35-40

Just so that everyone knows, this guy does represent some bunch of “intellectuals” inside the church. Their job is to hunt heresies. But most of what they do is just behind their computer screens. They don’t actually do the hard work of reaching to people — giving them hope, providing for their felt needs and loving them physically not just virtually. BUT, they don’t represent the Church that Jesus Christ built. The Church that he built is relevant. It cares. NOT JUST for the people’s eternity, but also for the here and now. Jesus cared, and so we should. I pray that the Church will stay that way.

People who read this: evangelical Christians are not like this guy. We actually care.

If anyone will talk to me that way in person, I’m going to shove your theology books down your throat. That’s unchristian, but I don’t mind doing that.

  • http://thelivingrice.blogspot.com Jason Bruce

    Madami talagang di magaling mag-timing ng salita. Kahit nasa katuwiran sila palpak naman ang delivery. What you wrote is just a symptom of a bigger problem and thats how the church is failing our society. The christian faith is just "reduced to a personal relationship with Jesus." Nagiging "feel good" at medyo self-centered kaya nagiging quick to pass judgement or conclusion on others. Nakalimutan na ang pagiging tunay na maka-tao.

  • http://thelivingrice.blogspot.com Jason Bruce

    Madami talagang di magaling mag-timing ng salita. Kahit nasa katuwiran sila palpak naman ang delivery. What you wrote is just a symptom of a bigger problem and thats how the church is failing our society. The christian faith is just "reduced to a personal relationship with Jesus." Nagiging "feel good" at medyo self-centered kaya nagiging quick to pass judgement or conclusion on others. Nakalimutan na ang pagiging tunay na maka-tao.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/arnoldgamboa arnoldgamboa

    The church has become head without the heart.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/arnoldgamboa arnoldgamboa

    The church has become head without the heart.

  • http://twitter.com/arnoldgamboa @arnoldgamboa

    Head knowledge, no heart doing.

  • http://twitter.com/arnoldgamboa @arnoldgamboa

    Head knowledge, no heart doing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ramztribe Ramil Caballero

    you've nailed him arnold. hehe

  • http://www.facebook.com/ramztribe Ramil Caballero

    you've nailed him arnold. hehe

  • http://www.danielabbey.com dan

    yeah, i'd say that's pretty heartless. human suffering is never pretty and i agree, it's easier to criticize than to actually do something about it. but i'd also like to point out that it's not theology that makes people cold-hearted, arrogant and selfish – it's SIN. just thought i'd mention that. you can be knowledgeable in the Word and have a solid theology and still be warm, loving, and a light to the world. in fact, i'd venture to say that a solid Biblical theology is what gives a man a good foundation in bringing hope and the good news to the people of the world. it's not a guarantee as there will always be people more interested in their theology than in the Savior. but we must be careful not to diss theology just because some guy has more head knowledge than heartfelt compassion. it's his loss if he can't get out from behind his computer screen to help people. it's our gain if we become Jesus' hands and feet, grounded in a solid Biblical theology to weather the storms of life (both physical and spiritual) to aid others in times of tragedy.

  • http://www.danielabbey.com dan

    yeah, i'd say that's pretty heartless. human suffering is never pretty and i agree, it's easier to criticize than to actually do something about it. but i'd also like to point out that it's not theology that makes people cold-hearted, arrogant and selfish – it's SIN. just thought i'd mention that. you can be knowledgeable in the Word and have a solid theology and still be warm, loving, and a light to the world. in fact, i'd venture to say that a solid Biblical theology is what gives a man a good foundation in bringing hope and the good news to the people of the world. it's not a guarantee as there will always be people more interested in their theology than in the Savior. but we must be careful not to diss theology just because some guy has more head knowledge than heartfelt compassion. it's his loss if he can't get out from behind his computer screen to help people. it's our gain if we become Jesus' hands and feet, grounded in a solid Biblical theology to weather the storms of life (both physical and spiritual) to aid others in times of tragedy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Kim.Nejudne Kim Nejudne

    This comment maybe a little late already, but I was browsing through your blog and this particular post caught my eye.

    You said:
    "Will people be thinking about Calvinism or even eternity in times like these?"

    In times of calamity and disaster people should be thinking about ETERNITY and their ETERNAL SALVATION.

    I get your point about the insensitivity the mentioned 'facebook status update' and how in times of disaster Christians should be the ones in the front-lines giving help and reaching out to those in need.
    But it is in times of disaster/calamity that people SHOULD be thinking about ETERNITY and their ETERNAL SALVATION.

    You mentioned "[Bagyong Ondoy] was hell in Metro Manila". Oh, Ondoy was nothing compared to the real torments in hell prepared for those who are not found in Christ. Manila suffered from Ondoy for weeks, but hell is going to be forever.
    There is no better time to think about eternity than in times of disaster and calamity.

    Christians are to be humanitarians. But first and foremost we are prophets and theologians, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to a lost and unbelieving world.

    PS: I love the blog-theme

  • http://www.facebook.com/Kim.Nejudne Kim Nejudne

    This comment maybe a little late already, but I was browsing through your blog and this particular post caught my eye.

    You said:
    "Will people be thinking about Calvinism or even eternity in times like these?"

    In times of calamity and disaster people should be thinking about ETERNITY and their ETERNAL SALVATION.

    I get your point about the insensitivity the mentioned 'facebook status update' and how in times of disaster Christians should be the ones in the front-lines giving help and reaching out to those in need.
    But it is in times of disaster/calamity that people SHOULD be thinking about ETERNITY and their ETERNAL SALVATION.

    You mentioned "[Bagyong Ondoy] was hell in Metro Manila". Oh, Ondoy was nothing compared to the real torments in hell prepared for those who are not found in Christ. Manila suffered from Ondoy for weeks, but hell is going to be forever.
    There is no better time to think about eternity than in times of disaster and calamity.

    Christians are to be humanitarians. But first and foremost we are prophets and theologians, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to a lost and unbelieving world.

    PS: I love the blog-theme

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