To concerned Christians and searching sinners:

There are so many who know the Bible fairly well, but are not well-acquainted with the nature and character of its Author. This deplorable situation is in part because of a general disregard for theology in our generation. Theology is the study of God in all of His relations. Our religion today is man-centered rather than God-centered. The experiential has been emphasized to the neglect of the rational to the extent that few are able to intelligently vindicate the ways of God to man.

Our Lord taught that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, that is our whole being. Too many are content with a superficial knowledge of Him based in their emotions. So few love him with their mind because that requires much study which means hard work. And even fewer love him with their heart (the affections plus the will) because that demands entire obedience to his revealed will.

Christian theology needs to be studied diligently. It requires at least as much application as law or medicine. If millions of dollars are lost due to the ignorance of an attorney, it is a mere trifle. If health or even life is sacrificed through lack of a physician's knowledge, this is not essential. But if a minister misleads a soul to his eternal ruin, who can tell the awful consequences?

Charles Finney, president of Oberlin College throughout much of the 19th century, said, "My brother, sister, friend--read, study, think, and read again. You were made to think. It will do you good to think; to develop your powers by study. God designed that religion should require thought intense thought, and should thoroughly develop our powers of thought. The Bible itself is written in a style so condensed as to require much intense study. Many know nothing of the Bible or of religion, because they will not think and study."

Prayerful thought and study will enable you to better see the ignorance and folly of sin, and the reasonableness and justice of God our Father and the Gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In God's service and yours,
Jed Smock