First Things First: Establishing the Right Biblical Foundation
Most people are at least somewhat familiar with the common adage of “first things first”. This truism refers to the fact that when undertaking any project, the first order of business should always be the laying of a proper foundation for the task at hand.
For example, when constructing a home, a builder does not start by assembling a roof, but rather he first forms footings so that the structure will rest upon a firm foundation.
The principle of “first things first” also holds true in matters of academic study.
For all areas of intellectual pursuit have at their core certain underlying truths. A full and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter is later built upon these foundational truths.
For example, the study of biology typically starts with a systematic understanding of life at the basic cellular level.
In chemistry, the underlying foundational knowledge would arguably begin with the makeup and roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons within individual atoms. This would be coupled with an understanding of the Periodic Table of Elements.
In the study of Christian Theology, however, there is often widespread disagreement within the Body of Christ. Believers frequently differ as to what is important and what is not important concerning the proper foundation for theological understanding.
Apart from the fact that all men are sinners and in need of redemption, there is little agreement amongst believers as to what the foundational focus of serious theological study should be. Man’s need for redemption, of course, necessitated Jesus going to the Cross.
This has sadly served to create much of the divisiveness that occurs within the Church itself. This divisiveness is evidenced by the numerous denominations of believers that exist within Christendom.
So how does one establish the proper core of Christian theological understanding?
Certainly, a believer could study the various respected theologians scattered throughout the history of the Church in hopes of discovering the true foundation for proper theological comprehension.
But the writings and musings of theologians have seemingly never provided the Body of Christ with an adequate common consensus. No theological framework has emerged that could be adopted by the Church at large as the proper foundation of Christian Theology.
Perhaps the answer to the problem could be attained by approaching the issue in a new and novel way. We could simply refer to the teachings of the Person whom believers all purport to be following in the first place: Jesus Christ.
The True Foundation of Christian Theology,
“The Weightier Matters of the Law”
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus told us just what the most important aspects of Scripture truly are in describing what He terms as being, “the weightier matters of the law”:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and
anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment,
mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
If we take these words from our Lord seriously, we should recognize an important principle. By referring to certain topics within Scripture as “the weightier matters of the law,” Jesus is telling us that some aspects of Scripture are of more importance than others.
He then goes on to proclaim that the 3 most important facets of Scripture for the believer to understand are those of “Judgment, Mercy, and Faith”.
Of these three subjects, we must assume that Judgment is of the most importance, as Jesus here mentions it first.
As a literary principle, the subject mentioned first in a multiple-subject sentence is typically deemed to be of the greatest significance.
This principle also holds true within the Word of God, where we find that unless stated to the contrary, the first subject mentioned in a multiple subject sentence is of the most importance. This is wonderfully illustrated in Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinth, where we read:
“And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these
is charity.” I Corinthians 13:13
Judgment as the Proper Foundation of Christian Theology
In applying the principle of “first things first” to Judgment, we need to consider the “big picture.” Judgment must first be understood within the entirety of the Word of God.
We must recognize that the final action in the Biblical history of man before the introduction of “God’s Eternal State” will entail a final Judgment at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). Scripture clearly teaches that at the conclusion of man’s tenure upon earth, the life of every individual will be or will have been judged by God.
“As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
This would seem to indicate the true importance of Judgment in the purposes of God, as the total story of the history of mankind will eventually culminate in Judgment.
All the actions and intents of the hearts of every man, woman, and child will come under close scrutiny by their Creator at the close of man’s tenure on earth.
Consequently, it can be logically stated that “Judgment, to a large degree, has been what life has been all about from the beginning.” Judgment is, after all, the final action or conclusion of World History.
It is therefore of extreme importance for man to understand just what the basis of this Judgment that God will make upon mankind at the “end of days” will be.
Judgment Considered Logically
In the natural realm, we know that all physical objects and beings can be utilized for a variety of uses.
For example, a billfold is typically used to store valuables such as credit cards, identification, and money. It can however also be utilized to prop and hold open a door or perhaps serve as a paperweight on a windy day.
When the owner assesses or judges the billfold on its performance, his primary concern will not be how well it propped open a door or served as a paperweight. Rather, he will judge how well the billfold performed the primary function for which it was created. That principal purpose is to safely and securely store the owner’s credit cards, identification cards, and money.
In other words, people and things are ultimately judged based upon “how well they performed the duty or purpose for which they were created.” They are not judged primarily upon the ancillary functions they may have performed.
When we consider this fact in terms of Christian Theology, an important principle becomes apparent. God’s Judgment of mankind will ultimately be based upon how well individuals performed the function or “Purpose” for which they were created.
In the matter of “First Things First,” understanding God’s purpose for man is therefore of extreme consequence. It is arguably the most significant aspect of Judgment.
Therefore, when we apply simple logic to the teachings of Jesus concerning Judgment in Matthew 23:23, we arrive at an important conclusion. A proper understanding of God’s “Purpose for man in His creation of man” provides the fundamental element upon which a proper framework of Christian Theology can be constructed.
Man’s Ultimate Purpose: To “Please” or to “Glorify” God
It therefore follows that it is of extreme importance that we accurately establish what God’s intended purpose for man was and is in His creation of man.
The question is whether man was created, as the writers of the Westminster Confession would have us believe, to “Glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” or whether man’s “chief end” or purpose is simply to “please God,” as many careful students of Scripture have avowed. These appear to be the only viable options presented within God’s Word to explain man’s purpose.
This is the task that we shall now attempt to accomplish by considering the issue from 7 different angles or approaches. Our expectation is to reach a successful conclusion thoroughly supported by the Word of God.
Read Rob’s book “PARADIGMS TOSSED”, Debunking Faulty Christian Beliefs and learn how best to hear “Well Done” after your life is over and you’re face to face with Jesus someday!
