If you are not a Theologian, what makes you think you are qualified to answer any questions on R & S?

Question

I was kind of wondering. Some answers, although sensible, are still kind of "off-the-cuff" more than concrete. ...and I am just as guilty at this as anyone. Does the Holy Spirit move you? How do you know it's the Holy Spirit? Are you a holy person? What makes you think you are holy? Aren't holy people/wise people quiet?

*rolls eyes* its not a "Prove God to me" question
Good point about Peter and Matthew though.

"there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot."

whoa. That guy was a poet.

hisgloryisgreat
Do you mean do they sit by and quietly watch the world, the flesh, and the devil lead any and all straight to hell?

Um, no. But, I guess I came across that way.

Paul S
I only see very few questions about religious doctrines, the kinds of things that would best be answered by a theologian.

Good point.

Answer 1

Uh, because they can?

Answer 2

There is a fire burning withing me, and has been kindled throughout my life. I hope and pray one day it will arise into a roaring fire. It moves me and is something I cannot possibly explain. One must experience it for themselves to truly understand what the Word of God means to them.

Does the Holy Spirit move me? Absolutely....

How do I know it's the holy Spirit? No matter how cliche this answer sounds I am going to have to use it- "I just know." This phrase can have a thousand connotations, pick and choose what you think I mean.

Am I a holy person? Depends on what you define being a "holy person" as. I am very ardent about my faith and do the best I can living out a life of faith.

Holy People are wise and quiet?? Some may be, others may not be. Remember, and I know this sounds controversial, but, in the words of the Pastor at the church which I attend, "Jesus was the greatest rebel there ever was." And this is true- He was the Messiah, tought others and rebelled in His own way. I like to think Holy People are those who live out a life of faith and realize that doing so is not easy, in fact, it's a roller-coaster of a ride, but it is the most fulfilling life anyone could ever possibly lead.

God bless you for this question, it brings up a great point. But you know what? No matter how educated one is in Theology, or Religious study, or anything for that matter, one will never completely understand God.

God bless.

K

Answer 3

I'm not a theologian, but I've done a lot of studying and reading over the years. I research an answer, think about it, and try to give the best, most logical response that I can. That's why my posts are usually at the bottom of the page. :-)

Holy people come in all flavors -- quiet, loud, meek, bold, happy, sad. If everybody had the same approach to life, all but one of us would be completely unnecessary in the scheme of things. Holy people aren't necessarily quiet, but they are usually thoughtful and prayerful when they act or speak.

And as to whether or not something is of the Holy Spirit, I apply several guidelines. Is the answer Scripturally accurate? Does it help the other person, or is it destructive? If my reply is helpful, in according to Scriptural principles, and builds up the other person, then it's probably of the Spirit.

Theologians have to work off the knowledge base that they've acquired. I don't claim to be their equal, but I do try to use the same principles that they do.

Answer 4

1. One of the original purposes of the Protestant Reformation was to remove the church the saints and the priest as intermediaries
between humans and god.
2. Neither academic training nor degrees are proof of or certification of the ability to think or to reflect theologically
3. None of the worlds great spiritual preceptors was a Theologian.
4. Answers on Yahoo answers are answer of a type that the questioner is seeking. You might as well ask "if you are not a theologian, what makes you think you are qualified to ASK questions on Religion and Spirituality.
5. Even assuming Theological training is a requirement for asking a theological question. Theology is usually primarily of the domain of Religion. Spirituality and Religion are not the same,
Anyone can be spiritual including the illiterate.
To answer a spiritual question requires some experience to base an answer on and some degree of ability to articulate the spiritual experience or perspective.

Answer 5

If you could only be effective when you were perfectly holy and could be sure that the Holy Spirit was leading you, nothing would ever be said or done. Theologians aren't necessarily any more qualified to answer spiritual questions than any other Christian. None of the ministers in my church have seminary background, but they are some of the most holy, qualified men. People from all over the small town I live in (about 40,000 people), both Christians and non-Christians, come to get counseling from my pastor; yet he has no seminary training.

More often than not, seminary gets in the way of God working, substituting God's revelation for someone's personal interpretation. "By your traditions you have made the word of God of none effect."

Answer 6

What if I AM a theologian? What is your criteria? A Master of Divinity? Someone who has actually read the bible? "qualified is something we are because of faith in Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; So to be an "educated theologian" is not necessary.

Answer 7

Was the Apostles Peter or Matthew Theologians? Peter was a fisherman and Matthew was a tax collector. It was not until a man, who due to his extensive theological education knew beyond any doubt that Christians was a cult and false religion, that things changed. His name was Saul of Tarsus, later to be called the Apostle Paul.

He was not convinced by any of the arguments of Christians that they were right. It took the appearance of Christ for his sight to clear and to realize he had been wrong about Christians.

So, a vaulted education doesn't really mean much. In fact, it kind of reminds me a lot of people with their so called educations trying to put down JWs, who like the original Christians are just simple people learning God's word. To be an Overseer, a Circuit Servant, a District Servant, or on the Governing Board does not require any advanced education in some school of theology where people who get paid to teach other people who are hoping to get paid, for teaching God's Word.

When I see a book by a well known theologian, what I see is someone who wants to be known to the world and get paid for it.

Answer 8

The apostles were members of their Jewish religion and as young men they were circumcisied, taught the Torah, their "bible" and went thru their ceremony at the age of 12 of reaching maturity. Theology is a word in Greek that means "Theo...God and ..."ology" meaning... the study of. This is a term that was placed upon the Christian religion in days following the apostles... They were as knowledgable in their Jewish religion as any man, as it was required of EACH MALE to be educated by the Torah until they were 12. What they were taught by Jesus Christ was all new teachings that the apostles did not know about. Most of what Jesus taught was against the teachings of the Jewish religion. So the apostles were not considered THEOLOGIANS... They were just the teachers of a NEW COVENANT that Jesus established and taught to them. Some people have the gift of WISDOM... this is gained by the Grace of God and thru life experiences. Wisdom is an individual virtue, gained in a persons life...It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. If you have to ask if you are holy... most likely you have to practice the virtue of humility. Hope this gives you something to think about and helps you. Good Luck!

Answer 9

What does being "holy" have to do with answering questions on R&S?

Many of the questions here require scientific knowledge (e.g., all of those about creationism, for which religiousity disqualifies one from answering). Many others require logical reasoning ability.

I only see very few questions about religious doctrines, the kinds of things that would best be answered by a theologian.

Answer 10

As a theologian I know that anyone who is led by the Spirit and who is posting what God has said in the Bible is qualified to answer questions here as long as the passage that they pick is relevant to the question being asked. I doesn't require a degree handed out by man to state God's truth.

For instance, you asked questions of the answerer's asking about holiness and how they can know.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

As to holy people being quiet, here is how the prophet Jeremiah put it.

Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Answer 11

None of the disciples were theologians, Paul was not either ! The Holy spirit guides you

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

And the bible was written to teach, correct & rebuke etc:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.