Extra-biblical Theology

When was the last time you came across a puzzling piece of theological pie? What was your reaction? How do you study theology? Where do you find your support? What is your foundation?

One of the most valuable theological lessons I learned during my undergraduate work was in an introductory philosophy class. I may or may not have been the ignorant front row baptist who opened his mouth far too often. I found myself arguing with my professor (and the rest of the class for that matter) concerning the simple question, "Can God create a squircle (a square-circle)?" The idea comes from the philosophical law of non-contradiction which states "that something cannot be both true and not true at the same time when dealing with the same context" (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry - carm.org). One of the simplest and most common discussions within this law involve questions like, "can God create a rock so heavy that he can't lift it?"

At the time I had a very shallow theology and as much as a puddle of thought for philosophy, but I simply could not accept any phrase that involved "God cannot".

After much embarrassment and confusion I came to one conclusion, which has never been refuted, the idea is as follows: Theology is the study of God, and we do know things about God, but the very moment we begin to define God with human words and definitions, we immediately begin to limit him. Back to the original debate; I understand that the idea of a squircle is impossible, but it is defined as impossible through our definitions of both a circle and a square. For God to create a square with no corners and a circle that has no diameter, couldn't he accomplish it outside of human standards (as is his very nature)?

So many books, pastors and teachers alike, all too often remain firmly rooted in their theological bunker as they fire contradicting ideas at one another. All the while forgetting that their view is trapped (for the time being) in a state of worldly definitions. The very word "theology" is never found in the scriptures as is the case with so many of our definitions of God himself.

Where are your theological roots grounded? Do you find power and answers solely through human words (whether they are yours or your favorite theologians)? The only words we can fully trust are those which were breathed out by God himself, and it is in His Holy Scriptures that we must find our firm foundation.  

John 1:14

"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, 

glory as of the only Son from the father, full of grace and truth."