THEOLOGY
THE TASK OF
BIBLICAL EDUCATION —by Dr Japie Malan
S
outh Africa has many theological education institutions. But many lecturers in these institutions do not affirm God’s Word as true and the final authority. Most view the Bible as a book that contains words about God, not as God’s authoritative words to us today.
by commanding and teaching the apostolic instructions, not “old wives’ tales” and sentimental pleadings.
Be a model of spiritual virtue (v12)
Paul desired that people in Ephesus develop godliness by modelling Timothy. Estimates place Timothy between 30 and 35 years of age. This youthfulness could have provided an excuse for some to look What must be done about this problem? We should return to God’s Word for direction and instruction down on Timothy and his instruction (Tit 2:15). The antidote given about theological education. In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, the Apostle is to overcome the tendency of others who look down on youth by Paul gives wise advice: “Command and teach these things. Let no showing maturity in life and conduct. This must be evident in: one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in • Speech and conduct (outwardly visible traits). Speech includes all verbal expression; conduct describes general behaviour. The speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote ways of speaking to avoid include falseyourself to the public reading of Scripture, hood, anger, bitterness, slander, malice, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect abusive speech, and filthy talk. While the gift you have, which was given you by We should return to those to pursue include truth, edification, prophecy when the council of elders laid God’s Word for direction admonition, tenderness, forgiveness, and their hands on you. Practice these things, and instruction. thanks, especially to God in Christ. immerse yourself in them, so that all may • Love, faith, and purity (inner traits). see your progress. Keep a close watch on Paul desired a love that demonstrates yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, itself for both God and others (Col 3:14; Eph 5:2). In most of Paul’s for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” letters, love is said to be a decisive quality of a Christian’s life. The word faith represents an attitude of faithfulness rather than right Paul’s encouragement (v11) Timothy began well in obeying God’s commands, but Paul belief. The call for purity demands both sexual purity and integrity wanted him to continue to provide an example for the believers of heart. Theological institutions must model spiritual virtue to in Ephesus. Theological institutions must remember that the the students through life and teachings. secret is to start well and, more importantly, to end well. Paul used the terms command, give orders, instruct, and direct In-depth Biblical ministry (v13) to show the authoritative spread of the message. Timothy was to Timothy was to apply himself to reading, preaching, and teachcompel his words onto the listeners to make obedience easy. In ing. These instructions present a positive method of opposing the same way, theological institutions must continually engage false teaching. • Reading refers to the public reading of scripture. This was the Old Testament but may have included the growing collection of New Testament writings (2 Pet 3:16). Such a practice was essential to promote knowledge of the divine message. • Preaching includes moral instruction that appeals to the will (e.g. Acts 13:15). Teaching appeals to the intellect and informs listeners about the truths of the Christian faith. The content of both is that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament and those who believe in Him receive forgiveness of sins. It calls people to apply the Word of God to their lives. This is the core business of any theological institution, to read, teach and preach the Word of God and not own ideas.
Fulfil your calling (v14) Timothy must not neglect the spiritual 68 JOY! MAGAZINE
