Knowing God and His Word
Rev Dr Timothy Tow
Theology is the study of God. It is the study of God’s dealing with man whom He has created, but fallen into sin. The study of God and study of man which is inseparable from the study of God is true wisdom, says Calvin. We would add to the statement that they are the apex of all knowledge. They are the two highest strata of learning, way beyond “mosquitology,” though that is important in the quelling of malaria and dengue. The study of God and the study of man leads us to God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ, Mediator between God and man, by whom we are saved (1 Tim 2:5). The Bible is God’s book for man, the textbook of our salvation (2 Tim 3:14, 17).
Theology is not like any other science. It is not to be studied like any branch of scientific learning. It cannot be put under a microscope for the seeing eye to examine. Rather it is to be studied by putting on the eye-glasses of faith. Not “seeing is believing” but “believing is seeing” is the theological method (John 20:29).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:1–3). By faith, the doctrine of creation, not evolution, is to be received. By faith, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity transcends the principles of mathematics. By faith the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Christ cannot be taught but by worshipful reverence. Theology is not only a science, but a “metascience,” if we may coin a new word.
Nor can any man intrude into the study of theology without becoming a Christian, a born-again Christian. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). Faith is taking God at His Word.
Nominal Christians can go through a liberal and modernistic seminary and obtain a PhD in theology. But they will come out preaching themselves, not Jesus Christ the Lord. They will lord over their congregations with their own conceited ideas, “even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Pet 2:1). “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5) is our devout emphasis. So, it is of utmost importance that we examine the credentials of the teacher of theology. Not only must he be born again but also have received a mandate to teach, like Timothy from Paul, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).
It is of the utmost importance for a teacher of theology to be thoroughly scrutinised before he can be taken on the faculty of any fundamental Bible College or Seminary. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor 5:6). Fuller Seminary which was founded in 1947 by Charles Fuller of the Old-fashioned Revival Hour succumbed to liberalism in a matter of years. Princeton Seminary, though a proven stalwart of the faith from its founding in 1812, finally fell in 1929, J Gresham Machen notwithstanding.
What makes theology far above any brand of scientific learning is the higher teaching of the Holy Spirit. “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 John 2:20). “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27).
How do we receive the unction of the Holy One? How do we get the anointing that we need, not that any man teaches us? By being a devout student of the Bible. By being a regular reader of the Bible, day and night, and by meditating therein, that we might be enabled to compare “spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13). Dr John Sung read his Bible 11 chapters a day and 13 chapters on the Lord’s Day. Hence the power of his preaching that brought several hundred thousands to Christ. [Read Timothy Tow, John Sung My Teacher (Singapore: Christian Life Publishers, 1985).] So testifies the Psalmist, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (Ps 119:97–99).
How does Calvin excel all other students of theology? By the superior knowledge of the Bible that shines throughout his Institutes of the Christian Religion. He outshines all other theologians because he is a Biblical theologian.
Dr William Lyon Phelps of Yale University has said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is better than a college education without the Bible.” We would encourage you, though not having a college degree, to launch right into the study of theology. In Paul’s words of encouragement to young Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). “The Bible has in it all that the Christian needs” (Dr Carl McIntire).
“Doctors Cure but God Heals”
A Thanksgiving Report from Bro Thangno, New Life Orphan Centre, Yangon,
2 September 2010
Praise God and glory be to His name. Niang Hoih is finally doing well. Truly the Lord hears and answers the prayers of the righteous and the faithful. God answers our prayers and True Life BPC’s prayers for His glory. If God did not answer our prayers she will surely die because her heart-disease was very serious when she felt it. At home she was like dead more than three times. Even when I sent her to Special Clinic, I could not hope she would heal again but wonderfully God healed her completely now for His glory. From this Monday she could go to school and her tuition class and study well. Praise God. How good our God is to her. Actually the government school would not allow her to study at all since she was absent from school for too long because of her sickness. But by the special grace of God and His mercy the school and the tuition class allow her to continue her study. How wonderful the work of the Lord to her. Niang Hoih could not study for about one and half months from 16 July to 29 August 2010. My wife always reported her health situation to the school and tuition class. That is why the teachers could consider and allow her to return to school. Thank God.
From Monday until today, Niang Hoi is feeling like as she was before when she was in good health. Praise God. I strongly believe it is because of True Life BPC’s prayers for her, and paying for all her medical costs that God blessed and healed her. There is a saying: “Doctors cure but God heals.” If you did not pray for her and not provide for her medical costs, I would not be able to send her for medical treatment. As I always mentioned many times, I and my family and all the children are always very happy and thankful to True Life BPC because New Life Orphan Centre is running very well and doing well because of True Life BPC’s prayers and designated offerings. New Life Orphan Centre is running well and doing well physically and spiritually every day. We all study the Word of God, and pray to God always for True Life BPC and FEBC constantly.
Here is Niang Hoih’s short testimony and thanksgiving to True Life BPC and to God too. I am Miss Niang Hoih Nuam @ Naing Hoih. I arrived at New Life Orphan Centre in May 2004 with my younger brother. After my father died my mother married another man and I and my brother did not have anyone to take care of us. How good our God is to us that when I and my brother were hopeless and fatherless, Bro Thangno went to our village and found us and God touched his heart to pity me and my brother and he took me to New Life Orphan Centre. If God did not use Bro Thangno, I dare not imagine how we would live for food and for education and for my spiritual life.
Now, in New Life Orphan Centre, I and my brother know the love of God through Bro Thangno and I have received Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Lord and I am always happy in the Lord. Now, I am in High School Standard 10, before I came to New Life Orphan Centre, I was in Primary School Standard 4. I know deeply that the Lord is really the Father of the fatherless, hopeless and helpless. As Psalm 10:14 says, “Thou art the helper of the fatherless.” I know that we are family and brothers and sisters in Christ because True Life BPC always pray for us and provided for all our needs for His glory in Christ.
I specially give thanks to God for True Life BPC not only for your prayers and support for New Life Orphan Centre but also when I was serious in sickness you and True Life BPC prayed for my good health earnestly and provided for the cost of my medicine. I heard about your true concern and encouragement from Bro Thangno. I strongly believe that I am completely healed now by the special grace of God through True Life BPC’s prayers for me. When I was seriously sick at the Special Clinic I heard through Bro Thangno that True Life BPC earnestly prayed for me and that I need not to worry to pay for the expensive medicine. When I heard that my tears automatically dropped down. I felt how God loves me so much and you too in True Life BPC, brothers and sisters in Christ. Because of True Life BPC’s encouragements and earnest prayers and financial support, I have more strength and strong faith and I prayed to God, “Please give me good health for your glory and I will share your goodness to my brothers and sisters in Christ how wonderful the Lord’s work is to me.” I can say that I am very happy in the Lord and thankful to God and to True Life BPC more than I can say. May God bless True Life BPC more for His glory. Thanks.
I and all the children always pray for True Life BPC and FEBC without ceasing. May God bless you!
