Raleigh Bagley Reformed Theology
Raleigh M. Bagley III, PhD, Pastor Theologian
I was raised in a strict, two-parent household in the rural town of Blackstone, Virginia. My father was an Air Force veteran who spent his later years working for, then retiring from, the U. S. Social Security Administration. My mother was a lifelong educator who began her career as a teacher, was promoted to principal, and retired as Supervisor of Special Education Nottoway Public Schools, Virginia. Both of my parents are deceased. I attended public schools in Nottoway County, Virginia, graduating from Nottoway High School, and later attended Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After college, I spent a few years playing and traveling with a band until I met the woman of my dreams, Sandra "Peaches" Bagley of Asheboro, North Carolina. After only a few weeks of marriage, I enlisted in the U. S. Navy and traveled the world. During this time, my life drastically changed. God intervened with his calling. After 10 years of military service, I returned home to my wife and two sons, but also, as a minister of the gospel. The transition from a military life to a spiritual one was not without its challenges. More change happened. More challenges happened, but through all of life's changes and challenges, I am a better man. My wife and I have been married for over 41 years, with two adult sons and grandchildren. I continued my education at Liberty University, earning a Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition.
Interpretation Matters: Why I Care About Your Understanding of Scripture
As a pastor and gospel minister with over 33 years of experience, I have come to a place in my life where I can see God’s sacred Scripture more clearly than ever before. For many years, I admit I was blind, attempting to force the biblical text to say what God did not intend. I lacked understanding of proper hermeneutics and exegetical methods and allowed my cultural, political, and social biases to influence my interpretation of God’s word, mistakenly believing He would bless them. “Oh, wretched man that I am!” I thank God for His mercy in revealing my errors.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement that undermines the value of joining a local church. This movement is fueled by individuals sharing their negative experiences, including church hurt, broken trust, and hypocritical teachings. Some of the loudest voices in this movement are fellow Christians. Some compare the church to an amusement park, akin to Disney, while others liken it to Las Vegas, criticizing the prosperity doctrine and other heresies that support a pastor’s lifestyle of greed and the material obsessions of influential church members with jets, luxury cars, mansions, and wealth, all while using the Bible to justify these pursuits.
Many in this group struggle to find a church that emphasizes discipline and grace while rightly dividing God’s word. Unfortunately, I have been part of such a church and have had similar experiences as both instigator and victim. I recognize that no church is perfect, as its leaders are imperfect humans. Often, within these sacred walls, there is a lack of biblical courage that stems from the Spirit's guidance and a commitment to studying theology. Sadly, many pastors and church leaders—both informed and uninformed—ignore this need, which makes it challenging for the weary in spirit to find trustworthy church leadership. Furthermore, some believe that one cannot be both spiritual and intellectual simultaneously, leading to a disconnect between a sense of calling and pride.
Over the past few years, my preaching and teaching have been profoundly affected by an intense study of Scripture that has left me nearly speechless in its depth. My previous reluctance to study theology stemmed from arrogance, pride, and fear of the unknown. In hindsight, I can see that these sinful attitudes almost prevented me from understanding Scripture as God intended. This realization was the humility needed to rescue me from my ignorance—that the “foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of men.” While human sinfulness can distort our understanding, it does not negate God’s sovereignty over our lives. The insightful words of C. S. Lewis resonate deeply: “Consequently, if you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you do not have any ideas about God; it will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones.”
The study of theology is fundamentally the study of God’s self-revelation, which He has communicated in various ways. God has revealed Himself through creation, His direct interaction with humanity, and Scripture. This impacts not only how Christians gather for worship but also how we relate to each other and to the rest of God’s creation. Much of what has gone wrong in today’s church results from a lack of proper training, in-depth Bible study, and the prevalence of “suggestive” theology. Insufficient study of Scripture risks forming inaccurate thoughts, opinions, and beliefs about God. Engaging with theology is a discipline that deepens our knowledge and understanding of redemption.
The principles surrounding theological study have profoundly influenced my thoughts about God and Scripture. As the authoritative and inerrant word of God, the Bible provides compelling evidence of its divine inspiration through its convicting, convincing, and converting power. This evidence not only supports a transformative change in one’s life but is also awe-inspiring. The notion that Scripture is the inspired Word of God rather than merely a human work can be substantiated in several ways. It is recognized from an ethical perspective, as God Himself is the source of truth and knowledge, providing a reliable revelation of His will. Furthermore, the revelation of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, stands as the central figure of the Gospel, which influences profoundly changed lives. Historical studies, balanced opinions, and observations of nature all affirm the existence of God and His truths. As it is written, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
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