I am almost through reading Timothy George's "Theology of the Reformers," and a continuing stream of thought in the book is the considering of the contexts out of which these men emerged. It should be made clear that this is not to say that these men are merely the product of an age or that culture and society shape people - that is hardly the case. Yet we should understand that these men were shaped (positively and negatively) by the ideas and movements of their time. Certainly they did not acquiesce to every stream of thought or to every principle of an ideology. It cannot be denied however that men always must address, act and react according to the major movers of the age. Moreover, the authors, theologians and philosophers of the past that we choose to interact with also shape us as we embrace or articulately reject their assertions.
What I wanted to highlight for us as budding theologians/thinkers is the personal respect in which this same principle is active. In other words, we are very much the product of the contexts that we live in or deliberately choose to participate. And consequently the shape or emphasis of our particular ministries, writings and lives are the result of the choices we make as we interact with these men. A short but recent example would be our college experience. Principally, we sat under Colin and Dr. Shumaker, who invariably have shaped our thinking in ways we do and do not yet recognize. A cursory examination of our discussions, writings and conversations reveal this. I have found it interesting to connect the thoughts and desires and actions of my current life to past events and experiences. Of course, the Guide, Mover and Example of our life intersects with each of these events and shapes us as He wills after the image of His Son. Through His revealed will (the Word) and through the mysteries of His providence He surely works to shape us. As we recount our lives and consider His ways, we find at least two simple responses. First, a humble gratitude that we know and understand Him in a redemptive way. Secondly, the responsibility incumbent upon us to act, react, think and move in the context of thinkers and ideas in which we participate.
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I really appreciate your comments. As to your example, I'm constantly realizing more and more the effect Colin and Shu have had on our lives.
As to the context we develop through our interaction with books and their authors, I wholeheartedly agree. We do have a responsibility to be interacting with ideas and evaluating them in light of Biblical truth. As you know, I love reading philosophy, but I constantly have to remind myself that "philosophy is the handmaiden of theology." Philosophy in and of itself is volatile and dangerous; only read in light of Biblical worldview are its benefits enumerated.
There are certain authors who certainly have shaped the way I think, and they're of varied range. They vary from Piper to Plato (nice alliteration), Kierkegaard, Lewis, Wycliffe, Augustine, Schaeffer, and most of all Ryrie. Even Nietzsche has challenged my thinking in light of being forced to evaluate him according to Scripture.
As we read and continue to learn, we will certainly be left with indelible marks from various pastors, teachers, and authors. As aspiring theologians, God may even grant us the oppurtunity to shape and form a younger generation's context. It's a serious responsibility and one that requires us to constantly be growing in the grace and [knowledge] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Oh, oh, Ryrie, Jeremy? Oh...
The Ryrie thing was a joke.
whew
However, I believe you left out a vital person on earth who will transform the way you think and act: your wife. The wife is God's tool for sanctification. She is a constant source of joy and frustration as you are impelled toward insanity or holiness. Not only will you grow in love because of her, but also in your walk with God. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church. Those who gaze upon the picture see a dim reflection; those who are in the picture behold the realities as close as one can on this earth.
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