Theological Position Paper Rough Draft
Conversationally speaking, knowledge is power, however the inability to express that
knowledge could then brand an individual as uninformed. Therefore, it is crucially important to
be able to express and apply that which one believes to be truth. Theological position and the
philosophical aspects that make up theological position include metaphysics, epistemology,
axiology and ministry praxis. In the following paper we will examine what I would consider to
be the foundations that are needed to take part in a conversation or apply the knowledge of my
own theological position.
Biblically or theologically speaking, metaphysics, is simply “Mere Christianity” as would
agree C. S. Lewis.1 The big picture of the Bible points to Jesus and can be broken up into three
parts; creation, fall and redemption. People were created as the Bible says in Genesis 1:26-27,
“The God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over
the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over
all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the
image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”2 (NIV) Following creation,
the Bible describes the fall of mankind in Genesis 3. As the redemptive work of Jesus begins to
unfold it then culminates in the Gospel as well as other areas in the New Testament such as
Romans 8:29. Whether the Old Testament or New Testament is examined, all roads lead to Jesus
Christ as King.
The Bible has plenty of input when it comes to epistemology or the extent of human
knowledge thereof. Believers can acquire knowledge from and of God. (Jerimiah 31:34, John
14:7) God reveals His truth to us but our sin limits knowing His truth, “For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. Harpercollins Publishers, 2017.
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version
1
2
(Wheaton, IL Tyndale, 1991).
unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because
God has shown it to them.” (Romans 1:18-19) Jesus is the perfect example of understanding the
theology of God’s Word and therefore is God’s Word lived out as scripture defines in John 1:1-5.
Christians should focus on the Bible to guide us in determining what is to be valued.
Axiology digs deeper in defining why value should be placed in a certain area or consideration.
Genesis 1:26-27 depicts God’s last creation, mankind. It is at this point that we can assume that
anything which God created is something that should be valued. This is only a starting point, for
the there is value in the Bible (Hebrews 10:7), in relationships (Proverbs 13:20) and many more
areas of life as well. Ultimately, value, ethics and morals all begin with seeking out Jesus Christ.
He is the model of what Christians are to strive for in the molding their Axiology beliefs.
Ministry praxis and the educational considerations thereof, are laid out for us to see
throughout scripture. There are certain attitudes that both the teacher and the learner must
assume and exercise. The teacher should seek to be a good role model, demonstrate dignity and
speak truth (Titus 2:7-8). Ultimately the student must not just amass knowledge but rather use
critical thinking in exercising that which was learned. Jesus is shown throughout the New
Testament as being both a teacher (Matthew 4:23) and a student (Luke 2:52).
Leadership within Christianity is nothing new and yet it can be so easy to get wrong. The
Book of Proverbs discusses certain traits that are essential to a quality leader. Some of these
characteristics are humility (Proverbs 16:5), fair or just (Proverbs 16:8), and honest (Proverbs
16:13). Most importantly a good leader seeks direction from God (Proverbs 16:1). Jesus modeled
leadership in His ministry here on Earth, Mark 10:45 depicts this, “for even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Bibliography
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. Harpercollins Publishers, 2017.
One’s theological perspective should be balanced between the concepts of metaphysics,
epistemology, axiology and ministry praxis. More so than the balance of these philosophical
ideas, being Christocentric is key to getting it right. In John 14:6, Jesus confirms this, “I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
