When I was a RC Religious Education teacher, every "answer" I had came from a catechism, a council, or a creed. When God convicted me and enlightened my understanding with the truth of grace (in its biblical sense, not what I was teaching as grace), I determined to take no title. I would convince or unconvince myself of truths (as best I could). My faith would be mine.
I set out to undo my RCism. Obviously, not all of it technically went. I determined in my studies that the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed part of the Godhead, etc. But doctrine by doctrine, I had to develop my own theology. I call this a "Theology of One." A theology for which I will answer. No pastor, no teacher, no author will stand with me as I am judged for my faithfulness, my labor in the Word, or my service. I will stand alone.
If I have a belief, I deem it in varying degrees of (a) importance and (b) depths of conviction. For example, while I hold to a Flat Earth, I do not deem it terribly important or essential. In another sense, while I believe the symbols in the Revelation will one day be of great importance, I do not have a hard and fast opinion as to what every symbol in the Revelation may mean. I have opinions, most in light pencil.
The Person and Work of the Great God an Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ take precedence in all.
I represent no one but myself. I have quoted Calvin positively on occasion even though I am a 0-point Calvinist. I recognize truth when it is spoken. I am not the judge of another man's servant, but I am to examine fruit (while examining my own with the greater scrutiny) and to test doctrines. But as Luther argued in regard to truth Hus spoke, "it doesn't matter who said it, if it is the truth."
I try to be CONSISTENT in my theology. I compare things that differ in scripture and have to find out why they differ. I seek to find context and calling. But, in the end, my theology is my own and must satisfy my comparisons. It must be as consistent as it can be in light of my decaying mind of dust.
I do not argue from consensus, age, or history. I start and end with scripture, rightly divided as best I can.
I represent no one but myself. I have quoted Calvin positively on occasion even though I am a 0-point Calvinist. I recognize truth when it is spoken. I am not the judge of another man's servant, but I am to examine fruit (while examining my own with the greater scrutiny) and to test doctrines. But as Luther argued in regard to truth Hus spoke, "it doesn't matter who said it, if it is the truth."
I try to be CONSISTENT in my theology. I compare things that differ in scripture and have to find out why they differ. I seek to find context and calling. But, in the end, my theology is my own and must satisfy my comparisons. It must be as consistent as it can be in light of my decaying mind of dust.
I do not argue from consensus, age, or history. I start and end with scripture, rightly divided as best I can.
A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it.
-Martin Luther