Category — Thoughts & Quotes

Here’s a quote I found encouraging from Lewis Sperry Chafer’s Systematic Theology, Vol. I:

As one might venture farther and farther on a shoreless sea with no hope of ever reaching its outer boundaries, so the theologian [the student of Scripture] is ever confronted with limitless material in the realm of the doctrines of Scripture. It has been customary for the theologian to spend at least three years in classroom instruction to the science of Systematic Theology and under the instruction of those who through patient study and experience are able to guide him in this introductory research. However, the study of Bible doctrine is a life undertaking and ever makes its claims upon time and strength. Happy indeed is the student who secures a full rounded introduction to the vast science of Systematic Theology, but thrice blessed is he who with unrelenting purpose pursues his study to the end of his days on earth.

Nothing need be said here of the tragedy which is enacted by a student of Systematic Theology who, for one reason or another, has failed to be introduced to the field of his science, and who therefore continues to preach only on the lower plane of human conduct and never, for lack of requisite understanding, expounds a soul-transforming doctrine of the Scripture.

Many generations have passed since the pulpit has held lower ideals of doctrinal preaching than it holds today. Nevertheless, the human heart is unchanged and God’s remedy for sin-sick and unspiritual souls is the same, and the servant of God who would minister to these needs with true efficiency will discover the importance of unceasing study that he may himself prove to be unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2Tim 2.15).

In day when many pastors buy their sermons on-line and most pastors water-down (dumb-down) their messages in an effort to entertain rather than edify, I found Dr. Chafer’s words very refreshing.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. [1Tim 5.17]

Let’s labor well — work hard! — at the study of Scripture so that we can feed the Lord’s flock, and feed it well!