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Apples of Gold
Radio Script for January 12, 2011
“Who Is Your Favorite Theologian?”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
Who is your favorite theologian?
Your favorite theologians would be the people you listen to most on the subject of God and His relationship to the world.
For many people, their favorite theologian is Oprah Winfrey.
“Now wait a minute, Doug. Oprah’s no theologian.”
Maybe not in the traditional sense, but Oprah shares her theories about God to millions of people. In that sense, she is a teacher of theology, and many people believe her.
Talking about Oprah makes me think of a couple other guys, Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle. If you compare their theology to the Bible, they are whacked, but tons of people listen to them, including celebrities.
Everyone has a theology, and they probably got it from their favorite theologians. So the question is, who is your favorite theologian?
Many young people don’t bother with the likes of Chopra and Tolle. It’s too complex, or weird, or boring. They don’t bother with church either, though, so where do they get their theology? How do they know what to believe about God?
Many of them believe whatever they pick up in pop culture. If Lady Gaga says something spiritual, “Well hey, that sounds good. I’ll make that my theology.”
“Oh Doug, Lady Gaga’s not a theologian, and no one thinks of her that way. She’s just a singer.”
Well she’s much more than just a singer. She’s a powerful cultural influence, and she is a theologian. When she talks about God, millions of people listen.
According to what I found online, Lady Gaga has a new project coming out called “Born This Way,” and listen to these words, which apparently are the chorus to the title song, which hasn’t been released yet. It says:
“I’m beautiful in my way,
Cause God makes no mistakes,
I’m on the right track,
Baby, I was born this way.”
You may not think of Lady Gaga as a theologian, but that will probably be a more influential theological statement this year than anything said by a traditional theologian.
People get their theology from all kinds of people. Some get it from George Lucas while watching Star Wars; or from Steven Spielberg.
Some pick up theology from political leaders like Ronald Reagan or Thomas Jefferson. Or maybe it’s Rush Limbaugh.
Some build their theology on Christian song lyrics. That means their favorite theologians might be Christian song writers.
“I don’t go for any of that lightweight stuff,” you say. “My favorite theologians are real theologians.”
Okay, so who’s your favorite? John Calvin or John Wesley? Martin Luther or Martin Luther King, Jr.? Charles Stanley? Charles Capps? Charles Spurgeon? Maybe it’s Kenneth Copeland or Kenneth Hagan; or how about Benny Hinn, or Billy Graham?
Or maybe you don’t put much stock in those modern guys. Maybe your favorite theologians go way back, men whose sayings have stood the test of time. Maybe you trust in Socrates or Plato or Confucius. Or maybe you keep it biblical, with Abraham and Moses and David and Solomon.
Those are all very influential people, but let me tell you about my favorite theologian.
When it comes to theology, the study of God and His relationship to the world, this man stands far above the rest.
John 6:46 says that no one has seen the Father except He who is from God, only He has seen the Father.
John 3:13 says that no one has ascended to heaven except the One who came down from heaven.
John 5:20 says, “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does…”
Those verses are about the ultimate theologian, the Son of God, God incarnate.
I’m talking about Jesus Christ.
Before we learn the words of others we should learn the words of Jesus.
Before we study the sayings of others we should study the sayings of Jesus.
The foundation of everything we believe about God should be the very words of Jesus.
Bible publishers make it easy by printing His words in red.
So where do you get your ideas about God?
Who do you listen to most on the subject of God and His relationship to the world?
Take a close look at the theologians who are speaking into your life.
Maybe it’s time to shift your attention to the ultimate theologian.
Jesus Christ.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2010 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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