f f f f f f f f f To appropriately address this discussion, I think it best to do so
from two vantage points. First, in relation to the class at hand – the Doctrine
of God. Second, personally as a follower of Christ.
Doctrine of God
f f f f f f f f f As I was reading, I was struck by a sentence that seemed to focus
the necessity of this course and the pursuit of theology in general – “. . the
heart of all theology is nothing less than to know God, and to make him
known”.[1] Therefore, my primary theological goal is to know the Triune God.
f f f f f f f f f That knowledge is of no benefit – even to me – if it is not shared
with others. That is the essence of Jesus’ Great Commission – “go and make
disciples”. We gain knowledge; then ‘go’; and pass that knowledge on to others
‘making them disciples’ in the process. As theology – knowing God – changes
our lives, so should its natural result be to communicate that positive change
to others so that their lives may be changed as well.
f f f f f f f f f Do I seek a specific answer from this course? No, but what has
been made clear by my theological studies to date is that I woefully knew very
little about God and His Word. So, my goal for this course would be to know
God – the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit – better than when I
started. If I am a good student and come before the throne of God expecting,
then the result should be a better experience in my relationship with God.
Personal Spiritual Growth And Awareness
f f f f f f f f f For some time now, I have been enamored by Enoch. In Genesis
5:21-24 (NIV) we read:
When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he
became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years
and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365
years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God
took him away. (See also Heb. 5:5,6)
My personal life’s goal spiritually, therefore, is to be found ‘walking faithfully
with God’.
f f f f f f f f f The specific question that naturally arises from Enoch’s story is,
what does it mean to ‘walk faithfully with God’? In Enoch’s example, it certainly
means to do so long term or consistently. One would also have to imagine
that this was Enoch’s consuming thought every moment of his life – How do I
please God?; How do I glorify God?; How can I praise and worship God?; How
can I make God known to others? Enoch’s life belonged solely to God. Was
Enoch perfect? No. Enoch’s faithfulness, however, demonstrated that when he
fell short of God’s law he got up; dusted himself off; and began his faith walk
with God anew.
f f f f f f f f f Given that my long-term goal is to be a minister to men, I would
very much like to share what I learn about Enoch with other men in a book or
a teaching series. Can you imagine the impact of ‘men walking faithfully with
God’ within our families, in our churches, in our communities and around the
globe?
f f f f f f f f f These thoughts remind me of a story out of Francis Chan’s book
Crazy Love:
As a pastor, I’m often called upon when life “vanishes like a mist.” One of the
most powerful examples I’ve seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful
businessman who was well known in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy
at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his
message, Stan told the mourners, “You never know when God is going to take
your life. At that moment, there’s nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?”
Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died.[2]
How awesome it would be teaching about Enoch and the idea of walking
faithfully with God at a men’s conference and suddenly . . [mic drop] . . I am
gone.
[1] Gerald Bray, The Doctrine of God, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,
1993), 24.
[2] Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Colorado
Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2013), 48. Accessed May 17, 2021. ProQuest
Ebook Central.
