The Task Of Biblical Education

THEOLOGY THE TASK OF BIBLICAL EDUCATION

South Africa has many theological education institutions. But many lecturers in these institutions do not a rm God’s Word as true and the nal authority. Most view the Bible as a book that contains words about God, not as God’s authoritative words to us today. Be a model of spiritual virtue (v12)

What must be done about this problem?

We should return to God’s Word for direction and instruction about theological education. In 1 Timothy 4:11-16, the Apostle Paul gives wise advice: “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Paul’s encouragement (v11) Timothy began well in obeying God’s commands, but Paul wanted him to continue to provide an example for the believers in Ephesus. Theological institutions must remember that the secret is to start well and, more importantly, to end well.

Paul used the terms command, give orders, instruct, and direct to show the authoritative spread of the message. Timothy was to compel his words onto the listeners to make obedience easy. In the same way, theological institutions must continually engage

by commanding and teaching the apostolic instructions, not “old wives’tales”and sentimental pleadings. 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 down on Timothy and his instruction (Tit 2:15). The antidote given is to overcome the tendency of others who look down on youth by showing maturity in life and conduct. This must be evident in: • Speech and conduct (outwardly visible traits). Speech includes all verbal expression; conduct describes general behaviour. The ways of speaking to avoid include falsehood, anger, bitterness, slander, malice, We should return to God’s Word for direction and instruction. abusive speech, and lthy talk. While those to pursue include truth, edi cation, admonition, tenderness, forgiveness, and thanks, especially to God in Christ. • Love, faith, and purity (inner traits). Paul desired a love that demonstrates itself for both God and others (Col 3:14; Eph 5:2). In most of Paul’s 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 belief. The call for purity demands both sexual purity and integrity of heart. Theological institutions must model spiritual virtue to the students through life and teachings. In-depth Biblical ministry (v13) Timothy was to apply himself to reading, preaching, and teaching. These instructions present a positive method of opposing 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.

—by Dr Japie Malan

gift he had received (4:14) that equipped him for ministry, likely representing an ability for teaching and preaching together with a capability to understand the Gospel and discern error.

Paul’s statements in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 and 14 show that the Holy Spirit, not only a group of elders, was the source of Timothy’s gift. The con rmation Timothy received through the “laying on hands” allowed him the freedom to minister with greater e ectiveness among the Ephesians. Theological intuitions must train Christians with a calling to be able to ful l their calling in the church.

Be totally absorbed in your work (vv15-16)

Paul encouraged Timothy to consistent spiritual growth. A pastor must think through his ministry – planning and strategising. Timothy was to immerse himself in both the teaching and the performing of the demands. True progress was seen by the growth in the teachings of godliness that agree with the Gospel.

Paul commanded Timothy to “watch [his] … life and doctrine closely” – 4:16. Timothy was to examine both his behaviour and his theology. Moral and doctrinal correctness are inseparable twins of the Christian life. Holy living and sound teaching are the inevitable fruits of saving faith.

Holy living and sound doctrine

Theological institutions must uphold holy living and sound doctrine. The preacher’s model of devotion builds the same characteristic in his ock. The slips and errors of a drifting spiritual leader will poison a congregation with a range of spiritual diseases.

Theological institutions must also be relentless and enduring teachers. John Flavel, a Puritan minister (c.1627–1691), wrote, “It is not with us, as with other labourers: They nd their work as they leave it, so do not we”. Picture the cabinet maker who leaves his un nished work and comes back to it as it was the next morning. Flavel continues, “Sin and satan unravel almost all we do, the impressions we make on our people’s souls in one sermon, vanish before the next”.

We ght against the unravelling process all the time. So, we must repeat the truths and live the truth because people forget. Scripture is doing the same. It’s repeated over and over in di erent contexts and through di erent narratives the truths of God. Theological training must do the same. 

DR JAPIE MALAN – Dean of Academics at Mukhanyo Theological College. He has served as a leader in several churches and community development ministers for more than 36 years.