Is Theology Used in the Bible?

Dr. Couch, is the word "Theology" in the Bible? ANSWER:  No, it is not. But that's okay. It is two Greek words put together. Theos=God, and Logos=word, or study of.  Thus, "The study about God." Ultimately, everything in the Bible relates and points to Him. We cannot have a self-made theology. Theology is about God and we must receive information about Him from the source that is outside of ourselves. The source is the Word of God, not our own mind.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (9/10)

Songs with Bad Theology or Repetitions

Dr. Couch, do you think the Lord is pleased with Christians singing songs with bad theology or mindless repetitions? ANSWER:  Of course not. But we are all limited in our perceptions and understanding about things. And we all make mistakes. Someone has well said, God will not judge us for our mistakes but He will judge us for our sins. None of us see 20/20 in our spiritual vision. God is an understanding heavenly Father. He knows for better than we what our limitations are.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6/10)

Pharisees and Sadducees in Unity

Dr. Couch, how did the Pharisees and the Sadducees work together to get rid of Christ? They were at such opposite ends of the doctrinal spectrum, what brought them together? ANSWER:  The Sadducees were the liberal party among the Jews. They had control of the "theology" of the temple area. They did not believe in inspiration of Scripture, hell, miracles, angels, etc. The Pharisees were the conservatives who held to the orthodox doctrines of the Word of God. However, their problem was they were legalistic and self-righteous, and they believed in salvation by works.    John 11:45-53 gives us a lot of insight as to how and why both parties came together in regard to Jesus.    The Pharisees and the chief priests called a council together. I would take it that this was an illegal council to discuss how to get rid of Christ. This council included Sadducees. They asked themselves "What are we doing?" (v. 47). Or, why are we just going about passive and doing nothing in regard to Jesus! They then agreed that He was performing miracles or signs (v. 47b). They did not deny what He was doing, and they realized that His works were drawing off the people to follow Him.    Verse 48 is important. They said, "If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." They realized that they would lose their authority and that the Romans would come and take over and depose them from their positions of leadership.    But the high priest Caiaphas comes to a right understanding that what was happening was from God. He said "Do you not know that it is expedient that one would die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish." He is referring to the prophecy about the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, predicted in Isaiah 53:8. The Messiah would be a Substitute for sinners! (v. 51). And, he is implying that Christ appears to be that one!    Christ would die not only for the Jews living in the Holy Land but for others living everywhere—"scattered abroad" (v. 52). John the apostle add "So from that day on they planned together to kill Him" (v. 53).     Here are some key verses about the coming together of the Pharisees (P) and the Sadducees (S): "They came together to the baptism of John the Baptist" (Matt. 3:7). "The P and the S came up, and testing Him ..." (16:1). Christ said, "Watch out for the leaven of the P and the S" (v. 6). "Beware of the teaching of the P and the S" (v. 12).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Loud Music in Church

Dr. Couch, what about loud music in the worship service at church? There is a difference between "loud music" and "strong music" that is, beautiful music in its composure and presentation. As a teenager, I sang in the choir at church, and each year we presented in concert George Frideric Hendel's Messiah. Now that is strong, forceful, and overpowering music! But it is not "loud" in the discordant sense.    They deny the truth, but younger people like just plain old loud, noisy, ear-splitting music, that in no way can be classified as meaningful. Some argue, "But that is what speaks to us! I say: Garbage! That is what they like but in no way is it edifying.    I have three rules that I believe are right and correct when evaluating music. And to a degree, the same rules, adjusted, can be applied to art.    They are: (1) is the music theologically correct? (2) can you understand the words? (3) can you hum the tune, and repeat the words in the shower? If so, the music is coming up and out of your soul. And it is repeatable! If these three rules are violated, then, in my opinion, it is not good music!    I do not automatically reject contemporary music. Common sense lets us know if it is a good piece of music or not. But unfortunately, most contemporary music does not come up to the standards I have just alluded to. "But Dr. Couch, that is your opinion!" No, it is common sense. Some younger people like the loud, discordant music because, they would argue, it is part of their musical scene, and, it is not accepted by older people, therefore, it is good!    Try to follow what is being sung in most contemporary pieces of music, and then listen to Amazing Grace! End of discussion!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Oct. 2009)

Catholic Pontiff

Dr. Couch, does the idea of the Catholic Pontiff come from Babylonian theology? ANSWER:  Yes, and in fact, the idea has a lot of connections with paganism throughout the ancient world. The word pontiff is assigned to the Pope. The origin of pontiff comes from the Latin word pontifex which means "path-maker" or bridge[builder]. The idea is that the Pope builds a bridge to God for the people.    The origin goes back to Babylonian theology. The Pope is the head of the College of Cardinals. He is the "Pontifex Maximus" or "Sovereign Pontiff." The idea of the Pope is framed on the model of the grand original Council of Pontiffs at Babylon.    For a thousand years the Pope was invested with the title, which had had attached to it the power of the keys of Janus and Cybele. He is the possessor of these very keys bestowed on Peter, in Catholic theology. Much of this goes back to the Babylonians and their worship of the Goddess Mother and her Son. In Egypt, the Mother and Child were worshipped under the names of Isis and Osiris. In Asia, as Cybele and Deoius. In pagan Rome, as Fortuna and Jupiter, In Greece, as the Great Mother with the babe at her breast.    Both Janus and Cybele each bore a key, the ensign to their spiritual authority. These two keys are emblazoned on the arms of the Pope's garment representing his power wielded over the Church. Thus, Peter alone had the power of the keys, as well as his successor. For more, see Alexander Hislop's work, The Two Babylons.    Unfortunately, most Catholics do not know the theology of their own Church!  Most of it is raw paganism!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

What Is Theology?

Dr. Couch, what is theology? 

 

    ANSWER: Technically the word means "the study about God." Some say this includes what is revealed in nature. I however disagree with this. Through the Word of God, Christians can see God’s handiwork in creation, but this is not the same thing as studying about Him, in nature. 

    The only source of theology as understood in the Judeo-Christian sense is what the Lord says about Himself, and His work in history, as found in both the Old and New Testaments. Some point out that Psalms 19:1 says: "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." 

    While the heavens tell of God’s glory, o­nly through the eyes of spiritual enlightenment and conversion can men understand such a passage. Theology then really comes from the Bible, and then it must be illumined by the Holy Spirit of the Lord (1 Cor. 2). 

    Today we have people defining theology as spiritual truth o­nly as it has meaning to the individual. This means that theology cannot be theology unless it is relevant to the human mind. This is a lie! God’s truth is truth; biblical theology is biblical theology, no matter that mankind is blind to receive it, or understand it. 

   Thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch