J.H. Heidegger's Corpus of Christian Theology: The Imperfection of Theology

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67.  The imperfection of Theology, and on account of the same the necessity of progress.

Theology of the way, whether delivered in a System, or as a habit occupying the mind, as long as we are sojourning away from the Lord, is always imperfect, and ought to be perfected by continual progress ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ, from day to day.  For in each and every thing it is less perfect than is able to be known in the way.  For which of the Prophets or Apostles perfectly understood all the mysteries contained in the word of God?  We know in part, and we prophesy in part, 1 Corinthians 13:9.  And how much less would non-Prophets and non-Apostles dare to arrogate to themselves knowledge, perfect and without the ongoing effort of progressing day-by-day?  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all, 1 Timothy 4:15.  For in faith and charity is the path to τελειότητα/perfection, Hebrews 6:1.  Even Apollos, although mighty in the Scriptures, and teaching ἀκριβῶς τὰ περὶ τοῦ Κυρίου, accurately the things of the Lord, had need ἀκριβέστερον, etc., to be instructed more accurately in the way of the Lord, Acts 18:24-26.  There is to be progress ‎מֵחַ֣יִל אֶל־חָ֑יִל, from strength to strength, or from troop to troop,[1] so that we, progressing from the last ranks, might soon walk with the fourth, then with the third, afterwards with the second, and finally with the first, Psalm 84:7.  Τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί, τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες, not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, Romans 12:11.  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned without us.  Would that it be so! 1 Corinthians 4:8.  But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet, Proverbs 27:7.

68.  Therefore, Theology is not untrue or non-saving because imperfect.

Therefore, Theology is no less true, although it be not fully adequate, because what one learns of God is without falsehood, although there is more in the matter itself than is ever able to be understood by us:  neither is it non-saving, because through the ministry of it those that are being saved receive the knowledge of God, through which they are saved, holding the minimal principium and foundation, in which they know all things, 1 John 2:20, 21.

69.  Diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon diverse people.

Moreover, in that imperfection there are those that have received only the Spirit of faith, whereby they assent to the testimony of God concerning Christ, furnished to receive all things to which God testifies in His word, and to contemplate the things that He teaches by His works:  there are those that have received in addition the λόγον σοφίας, word of wisdom, whereby the connection, conformity, fullness, and Divinity of Divine truths are shown to the conscience, and those that stray from the same are exposed and convicted:  there are those that have received the λόγον γνώσεως, word of knowledge, whether of φρονήσεως/prudence, to avoid an evil way, and to approve the διαφέροντα, more excellent, Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10; or of erudition παντοδαπῆς, of every kind, and also consideration of those things that are known by nature, through faith:  there are those to whom προφητεία/ prophecy is given, or the ready and accurate explication both of any prophetic word, and especially of prophecies:  finally, there are those upon whom is conferred διακρίσεις τῶν πνευμάτων, discerning of spirits, that they might know τὰ νοήματα, the devices/purposes, and τὰ βάθη, the depths, of Satan, 2 Corinthians 2:11; Revelation 2:24, by what spirit men are acted upon, and what that μυριοτέχνης, master of myriad crafts, is planning, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11.  But whoever abounds in all these, he is said to be τέλειος/perfect and πνευματικὸς/spiritual, as over against babes in Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:6; 3:1.

[1] חַיִל can signify strength, or an army.