Bodwin

I was doing some reading for my General Psychology class, and I stumbled upon this perceptive quote from Sherlock Holmes in Valley of Fear (Arthur Conan Doyle). Reading this brought to mind several conversations and discussions from the last two weeks or so: > "The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession." As a college student, I talk with many who 'believe' something with only the foundation of tradition or even rationality. This quotation reminded me that our only source of Theology is the written Word of God exclusively. It is not up to us to formulate doctrine. Nor is it our responsibility to assume that certain ideas are Truth. We have a sufficient Word.

If I've heard it once, i've heard it a thousand times: "It was almost as if God said to me... (you fill in the blank) I almost chuckle to myself because of the humor of this statement, yet it disappoints me to hear respected men of God say this. It often comes in the context of one's either being "called" to a place of ministry or the reminder of a familiar, yet forgotten truth. When this statement is made by a peer of mine who is unlearned in Theology, it easily pardoned. However, to hear this in a sermon just gives me fits. Maybe I'm too critical... (although, I think not) Friends of mine, as well as myself often joke that the canon must have been re-opened if God is now speaking to man. I am dedicated to using terminology that is Biblical. I don't think it is too radical to ask that we measure our statements according to Scripture. It is time that we leave behind statements that have been passed down by well meaning men if they are not consistent w...