Expert: Dr Wesley B Ley Rose - 9/18/2011

Question
Hello, I was just wondering who would know more about the bible in itself. Would a christian theologian or regular theologian, or a bible scholar? I'm kinda confused as to who does what. Thanks  Oh and you said you answer questions on church history, so I would like to know why do we do some of the things the apostles do but not all the things they do. I mean who makes the call on what we do as Christians today vs what we don't.

Answer
Thank you Josh so very much for your questions. To me they show that you have given these matters a good bit of thought and that makes sharing stuff with you so groovy. Yes, I still have that word in my vocabulary...
It is true that there are many candidates who could hold the position as Bible Experts.  Although a Christian myself, I would have to list the Jewish Rabbi's as true authorities on the Old Testament law and the 613 precepts of that law. Conversely I also believe that the Biblical History Scholar is more well rounded and has greater insight into the threads of Christianity that link the Old Testament with the New. I mean this as a strictly concentration of tying the historical events together and understanding them as a timeline reflecting God's plan for humanity.
Theologically, here again, I believe the Historical Theologian (predominantly Christian) provides a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the way Theology changed through the ages and the direct impact it had on denominations and Christian worship / doctrine. But as far as mainstream Theology is concerned I would first have to say that the greatest and most educated scholars were those within the first few centuries after Christ.  This would include men such as Eusebius, John Chrysostom, Clement, Oringen, Plutarch,to include historians such as Josephus. That was an era when knowing more than one language was almost second nature and that was much closer to the events recorded in the Bible - especially the writers of the first and second century.  
The church, as detailed for us in the book of Acts, did indeed contain practices and some teachings that we no longer see today. There are several reasons for that. First, the book was written when the church was still making decisions on doctrine and consequently church polity, procedures, and practices conducive to true worship that could be accepted by all as standard. Second was diversity of opinions created by differing groups within the church. The Jewish-Christians comprising the very first members of the church initially had issues with the Gentile-Christians that began to pour in through evangelism and mission works. Many in the first church wanted to follow a legalized and very formal system of worship - one that closely parallel the Temple Worship system based on the law. They also thought the new converts should follow the same regimented system which included such things as circumcision. Third, was the group that believed allowing Gentiles to worship along side Jews was an abomination and they simply could not allow it, making themselves a separate "sect" and perpetual antagonists of the growing Christian faith. Lastly, to keep this somewhat brief, there were the Gentile-Christians who did not want to associate with the Jewish-Christians and wanted to maintain some of their pagan practices and Ideals. That accounts for some of the differences between that era and today.
Next we have the splintering and further divisions within Christianity over the centuries following Christ and the church established and perpetuated by the Apostles and the hundreds of disciples that were chosen in the first century. As Christianity grew it had to continually face the diverse and stubborn "religions" of new nations of people as well as a growing influence from the political powers.
Soon the age of church constitutions and formalized (yet differing) statements of faith used to establish the authority of church practices and worship. They, along with customs and the Holy Bible were the foundation for church order, beliefs, and teachings. Ideally they should all agree as one in theology, faith, and church denominationalism. However, just as in the early centuries, certain factions infiltrated the church bringing worldly influences and introducing conflicting beliefs said to be based on scripture and age old customs. I think you see the trend...
In summary, and directly to the point, any church that professes to be scriptural and pure in doctrinal teaching / practices sometimes really base their church system on things because they have "always been that way".   Indeed many churches are based on only a handful of scriptures and have introduced false teachings and doctrines. So, as you asked who or what is the real authority?
That would be a church as honestly and spiritually strong as the church in the first century. Some say that church has been lost completely through the centuries, but I and many others feel it is still with us. It is part of many churches today, but the church most closely patterned after that era is the home church. This is because that is how the first Christians met to sing hymns, pray, sup together, and praise God.  That is one reason pure historians have such difficulty "following" the early church through the first 300 years or so.  
Anyway, then, the church and the authority today still comes from the scriptures, customs of the early church, and the doctrines directly developed by the Apostles through the words of Christ and the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Remember, that at the very start of the church the "Bible" available to them was what we call the Old Testament; the Apostles had to set about recording all of the writings that became the New Testament. So if a doctrine is founded in scripture, supported by the teachings of the early church, and not contradictory to the teachings of Christ or the spirit of truth through God system of government, you can be assured it is the authority.  The authority does not come from men, a particular church, or any written declarations - it is of god, from God, and for the glory of God. It is also the faith delivered to us of Christ and the gift of grace of salvation through Him.  
Our best assurance and protection with regards to churches today is a good and growing knowledge of what God's word says....

If I failed to answer any question to the level or desire you intended, please give me another opportunity to more closely reply. I truly want to do my best to answer your question(s) because I care about you and never wish to be a stumbling block to others. I also want to give the best, most accurate, and complete answers I can.
Again, thank you for this opportunity and God Bless You,
-- Dr Ley