Theology: What's It Good For? An Introduction

A chief concern of Christianity in our age (well, in all ages) is theology. We are happy to discuss worship, fellowship, and drama but seldom do we discuss the “queen of the sciences.” I believe there are a variety of reasons people shy away from this most pertinent of topics. I assert that the foremost reason is ignorance. Many people are not well versed in the details of the Trinity, the Incarnation, or the Atonement. I’m not saying they are not true Christians. Many of these believers eagerly confess the aforementioned truths without fully understanding them. In fact, the place to start with sound theology is that the subject of study, God, is not fully understandable. The way many theologians have put it: we can apprehend God but we cannot comprehend God. No one, not pastor, priest, or Pope can come to an exhaustive knowledge of Almighty God. We can know God insofar as He has revealed Himself to us through both general revelation (the Creation) and special revelation (the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament). Many an agnostic will assert that God, being infinite, cannot even be apprehended by us finite beings. In short, God is unknowable. To those who hold this view, be careful what you assert. If God is unknowable, how did you come to know this? Unknowablility is an attribute you ascribe to God who, you claim, cannot be known. Your statement is self-contradictory.

ANYWAY, back to my main point. Theology and sound doctrine are also avoided for fear of division within the Body of Christ. When you start defining what beliefs are right and what beliefs are wrong, you’re bound to step on some toes. These well-meaning but misguided Christians cite texts such 1 Corinthians 12:25, “as so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another.” I could cite Christ words in Luke 12:51, “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” The division spoken of in the epistles seems to refer to needless division that arises due to bigotry, gossip, grudges, pride, and other fruit of the flesh. Christ tells that He and His message will tear people apart. The Gospel is good news to those who are being saved but is ominous to those who are perishing. There are plenty of passages in the New Testament that we Christians need to be separate from the world. Not separate in the sense of hunkering down in a fallout shelter or joining the Amish, but being separate in our convictions and in our actions. We are to be in the world but not of the world.

Thirdly, sound doctrine is deemphasized by those who can’t see the relevance of what they see as modern-day scholasticism arguing over theological minutiae that has no bearing in their walk with Christ. I do admit that we Christians often strain out gnats while swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24), but this is precisely why theological training is needed in the churches! We need to learn the sine qua non (Latin for “without which not”) doctrines of the Christian faith. Those doctrines, which, if not believed fully and properly by someone, make them unchristian. Many will cry out that they “believe the Bible.” Well, so do many cults. The best heresies come from Scripture. We Christians need to rediscover the dynamism and beauty of Truth so that we may make disciples of all the nations. We think the clear and bold proclamation of eternal truth will drive people from the church. It may, but perhaps they weren’t the right people. Skits, dramas, self-esteem sermons may draw a crowd for a time, but only Truth will put the right people in the seats for the long haul. My first article that will deal with theology in everyday life will be focused on “Truth About Town: Seeing Theology in Nation’s Oldest City.” So, when you’re stuck in the library between classes, take some time to check it out.
As always, Soli Deo Gloria and Semper Reformanda!

*For some introductory theology check out these links:
http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/268theologyquestions?s=c1f7e682313f17d7b878c2d52ca3b648
http://www.ligonier.org
http://www.monergism.com/
For anyone with iTunes, go to iTunesU and search for RTS-Reformed Theological Seminary. They have whole classes for FREE; very edifying source.

*In regards to the picture, this is the Reformation Wall (or Reformers' Wall) in Geneva, Switzerland. It depicts four titans of the Reformation. From left: Guillaume Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Farel was the man who persuaded John Calvin to remain in Geneva. Calvin is the foremost theologian associated with Reformed Theology. Beza was one of Calvin's stellar students. Knox was the fiery preacher who brought the Reformation to Scotland.