LIFE IMITATES THEOLOGY

By Akin Ojumu

Unequivocally, Apostle Paul was an erudite Bible Scholar and a Theologian par excellence. I don’t know of anyone who came close. The man who wrote 13 – or 14, depending on who’s counting – of the New Testament Books was well acquainted with Scriptures. And that should come as no surprise. Apart from the twelve Apostles, Paul was the only other human being who received the Gospel through a direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Himself.

Galatians 1:11-12

“For I would have you know, brothers, that the Gospel that was preached by me is not man’s Gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Anyone else who claims that Jesus revealed Himself to them and taught them what they know about God is a liar and Satan’s mouthpiece. And I’m specifically referring to Dr. Enoch Adeboye, Mr. David Oyedepo, Joshua Selman, Arome Osayi, and the rest of their kind.

In particular, Paul’s theological adroitness shines through in his Epistles in the way he seamlessly weaves theology into doxology. Right in the midst of a heavy theological discourse, we find him breaking into a rapturous hymn of praise to God. Very often, in many of his Epistles, Paul would burst into profound adoration of God while in the middle of deep theological reflection on the power of God, the glory of God, and His redemptive plan. As far as Paul is concerned, the be-all and end-all of theology is doxology.

Here are a few examples.

Romans 11:33-36

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Romans 16:25-27

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Having read the glorious words of the above Bible texts, one can categorically surmise that the reason Paul is able to effortlessly go from thoughtful theology to delightful doxology is because the man’s theology is accurate, precise and sound.

Right theology leads to upright doxology. A right thinking about God produces a right worship of God. It’s impossible to have a false theology and worship God the way He ought to be worshiped. You cannot have a warped thinking about God and expect to worship Him the right way.

1 Timothy 4:16

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Another thing Paul does with his vast theological prowess is how he connects with conduct. That much is clear from the above passage. Paul is telling Timothy that theology and character are like two peas in a pod; the two are inseparable. Life imitates theology. What you believe is what you are and what you are is what you believe. 

The ship of our lives is piloted by our beliefs and convictions. People live within the framework of their convictions. A sound cognition of Scriptures produces a healthy conviction. A healthy conviction yields a wholesome affection. Without an accurate interpretation and sound understanding of the Bible, i.e., sound theology, faith in God shrivels and love for God grows cold.

On this Thanksgiving Day, there’s nothing I desire more than to give glory to God for pulling me out of the sewer of the false theology of the Pentecostal/Charismatic/Word of Faith Movement. I never knew how lost and ignorant of Scriptures I was until God opened my spiritually blind eyes to be able to correctly see, understand, and comprehend the Scriptures. Through the teachings of sound expositors like the late John MacArthur, the late RC Sproul, the late Voddie Baucham, and others, God rescued me from the cesspool of false doctrines that currently permeate the entire Church Industrial Complex of modern-day Christianity.

Now, this is not to suggest that I have arrived or that I know everything to know. Far be from it. On the contrary, I have not even begun to scratch the surface and I’m far from plumbing the depth of Scriptures. As my yearning to know God’s Word gets deeper, so thus my understanding of Scriptures gets better. There’s hardly any day that passes that I don’t discover a new gem of God’s truth in His Word.

And here’s my prayers for all the lost people out there who are wallowing in the muck of heretic teachings. May God do for you, what He did for me. I pray that God, in His infinite mercies, will break the chain of ignorance holding anyone trapped in the prison of the doctrines of demons pouring out of pulpits everywhere. Father God in Heaven, I beseech thee that you will set them free, especially my family and friends. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving!