Theology-Schmeology!

“Theology is never any help. It is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn’t there.”

– Robert A. Heinlein

At the risk of sounding trite, the average Christian really isn’t too fond of theology. In fact, there are few better conversation killers than the word theology. It’s pretty fun to see the responses you get when you say the “t-word”, you’ll get everything from polite yawns, rolls of the eyess, sideways glances, nervous giggles, etc. And I suppose it’s understandable why.  Most of the theology we’ve been exposed to has been wrapped in such unintelligible language, it might as well have been in french (actually, some of it may really have been in french). Furthermore, a lot of it has come from professors who seemed utterly unmoved by the things that they taught. So theology has come across as boring and dead, something that should be left to the few weird Christians who have nothing better to do.

This however is an unfortunate state of affairs, because the truth is good theology is invaluable to a strong Christian life. Charles Swindoll, in his book Growing Deep in the Christian Life, shares six reasons good theology is essential, allow me to share three.

1. Knowledge gives substance to faith

• So many people rest their faith solely on their emotions, which are here today and gone tomorrow. The only way to build a solid faith is to rest it on the foundation of good theology.

2. Knowledge stabilizes us during times of testing

• Knowing the truth about who God is and what the Christian life is going to be like enables us to withstand the troubles that will come.

3. Knowledge enables us the handle the bible accurately

• It’s easy to misinterpret Scripture when you’re not familiar with good theology. It’s impossible to see what the whole Scripture teaches simply by going through it little by little. Getting a good bird’s eye view allows us to keep within the realm of biblical doctrine when we’re interpreting our bibles.

Lastly, I think good theology is essential because ultimately, we’re called to know God. That’s what our life is all about. This is the ultimate purpose for which we were created. And getting to know God is what good theology is all about. This doesn’t mean that everyone needs to enroll in seminary next term, but perhaps there are small steps we can all take. In fact, I’d like to ask, what small step do you think can be taken to move towards better theology?

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

- John 17:3