The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Men's and Women's studies

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/yep.gif" alt="" /> Indeed it is everyone's responsibility to study "theology". See here: Every Man Must Be A Theologian by Dr. John Gerstner.

Although some of the more recent reasons given why men in particular or people in general do not show any interest in functions where theology or even indepth Bible study is offered may have some merit. But even though some of the fault may rest upon others, e.g., Pastor's weak preaching, teaching, the church not offering such teaching opportunities, parents failing to rear their children in this area properly or at all, etc., etc.... what must not be ignored nor diminished is that IF one is truly regenerate, i.e., the Holy Spirit dwells within, then BY NATURE, since it is the Holy Spirit Himself Who creates a new nature/disposition that is inclined toward God and the things of God, there will be a deep-seated desire/propensity to know God through the study of His Word. There is no denying that the weakness of the flesh, the remnants of our sin-nature, the influence of the world and the Evil One through the various avenues mentioned in this thread will sometimes or even often dampen that natural inclination to study the Scriptures and/or theology proper. But that natural love for God and His Word cannot be totally extinguished nor will the indwelling Spirit allow the individual to "starve to death".

What I am trying to do here is to make sure that we consider BOTH: 1) Man's responsibility, which most have focused upon as reasons for no attendance and little to no interest, and 2) God's sovereignty manifested in His "preservation of the saints" by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the transformed nature of His people resulting from regeneration. There are a multitude of "reasons" for this phenomena of low/no attendance and/or interest in the study of theology/Bible. But are there many that can be said to be legitimate "excuses"? Can the "blame" always be put on external factors; people, places or things? Or in fact, can these other things be faulted at all but rather they are simply additional influences that feed, further or foster a more fundamental and critical problem, i.e., a heart problem?

In His grace,