Have you ever been told that studying theology is unnecessary? Unfortunately, many Christians purposefully neglect the topics of deeper theology. This may be due to the tension created when discussing specific theological issues or thinking they can’t understand more complex truths. 

Have you considered what it might take to grow in your relationship with the Lord? It is essential to develop your knowledge of the Savior to grow in your spiritual maturity. If you do not know who God is, how can you find joy in who He is? If you do not know how God desires to be worshipped, how can you effectively worship Him? 

We must be spiritually transformed and adopted into the family of God through Christ Jesus!

Head knowledge is good, but we must recognize that it is not knowledge that saves our souls. Even Satan knows a lot about God and the Bible (Matt 4:1-11), but is not saved under grace. Satan has a lot of knowledge but still rebels against God. For us to grow in our faith, more is needed than just head knowledge. We must be spiritually transformed and adopted into the family of God through Christ Jesus!

However, head knowledge is necessary for spiritual growth after our faith journey has begun. “Theology” can be understood as “the study of God.” As Christians, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and might (Deut. 6:4-6), but how could we love God if we do not know Him? We must ponder the nature of God has revealed in the Bible.

Everyone has pondered God’s character at some point in time. If you have ever had a thought about God, you are taking part in the practice of theology. Every person has thought about God either positively or negatively. Consequently, everyone is a theologian!  The Christian will revel in the beauties of God’s grace and love. However, the unbeliever might think about God and proceed to rebel against Him. Both are taking part in theology. 

The Christian will revel in the beauties of God’s grace and love.

Therefore, the question is not whether we will take part in theology. The real question is whether or not our theology will be Biblically sound and true. The Bible is the source of all truth. It reveals the nature of God, His wrath, and His plan of redemption for sinners. As we approach the study of God, we must use the source of all truth, the Word of God. Luke 24 explains that Jesus is the lens through which we interpret Scripture. Our theology is only sound if it is rooted in the Bible and leads us to Jesus. As Christians, we must be obedient to Scripture alone when it comes to the theology we believe, live out, and teach. The Bible has a lot to say about Theology. A high view of Scripture calls us to treasure ALL that God has said, and God has a lot to say about Himself and His Church. 

A high view of Scripture calls us to treasure ALL that God has said

Much of the new testament consists of Paul correcting churches on their bad theology and calling them to repentance. If theology was important enough for God to use Paul to correct the Church, then we must strive to understand, to our best ability, the profound truths and great riches of theology.

 

THEOLOGY: The Study of God

 

If studying theology helps us to know and love God, then it should be of uncompromising importance to the people of God! How absurd does it sound to have no desire to get to know our creator and redeemer? Saying that theology is not essential is similar to saying that you love your wife, but getting to know her is unimportant. 

Don’t let anyone tell you that theology is not essential. Christianity, just like a relationship, demands understanding and dedication. It involves thinking! We are called to study, contend for, and understand God’s Word. We won’t get everything right, and we will disagree on many theological matters. We must have grace with one another as we strive for Biblical truth. The Bible is the standard of truth and we must develop theology based on the correct exposition of Scripture. Therefore, we need to establish our theology on the truth of God’s Word on which we stand firm, and defend the faith to which we are called.

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Written by: Tyler Rutherford