We must do theology in the context of the church, both contemporary and historical. Sometimes I hear someone say that they do not need anyone else but that they only need the Bible. This attitude is foolish and can open the door to heterodoxy and heresy. It’s also simply not true – i.e., we come to church every Sunday to hear someone else expound upon the Word. It’s why you are reading this web site. It’s why most/all of us read books by Christian authors to get their perspective. It’s why we use commentaries and study Bibles. It’s why pastors go to seminary.

Proverbs 18:1 states “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment,” emphasizing the importance of community in understanding the Bible. Additionally, Hebrews 10:25 encourages us not to neglect meeting together, reinforcing the idea that understanding Scripture is best done in fellowship with others.

There is an interesting passage in Acts regarding Apollos: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus – He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.(Acts 18:24-26) Note that while Apollos “taught accurately the things concerning Jesus”, he still needed Priscilla and Aquila to help him better understand.

Similarly, Acts 8:31 highlights the need for guidance in understanding Scripture. Acts 8:30-31: So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” The Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip, “How can I (understand), unless someone instructs me?” emphasizing the need and importance of seeking help from others to grasp biblical truth.

It’s why we should read Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian wherein he articulates his understanding of justification (1520). It’s why we should read Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo (Why God Became Man), arguing that human sin created an offense against God’s justice that only a being who is both fully God and fully human could rectify (1099). It’s why we should read Augustine’s On The Trinity, expounding upon the Trinity and considered his masterpiece (417 AD). It’s why we should read Athanasius’ On The Incarnation of the Word, defending the incarnation of Christ against the derision of 4th century non-believers (circa 320 AD). It’s why we should read Aristides’ Apology of Aristides, the earliest complete defense for Christianity that we have (125 AD).

To ignore the historical church is to forfeit valuable insight that God graciously avails us with.