Theology is for Everyone
Feature by Josh Alves
What do you think about the following statement, “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature”? According to the “State of Theology” study conducted in 2018, just over half of evangelical Christians agree with it. While 97% of respondents would also agree, “There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.” Confusingly, 78% would affirm, “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.”[1]
While we’re due for an update (this study is conducted every two years), the trends of professing Christians holding views contrary to Christianity is likely to increase. This cognitive dissonance of holding contradictory beliefs increasingly has a negative effect as we look at the witness and state of the church. Perhaps this reflects the state of many within our churches.
Honoring God with our lips while having hearts far from him is not a neutral act. It is destructive and damaging to the life, vibrancy and witness of the body of Christ. Thankfully, the remedy today is the same as it has been. The answer includes abiding in Christ and intentional discipleship, teaching in word and deed. When we examine the New Testament and the struggles our first-century brothers and sisters faced, the solution was and is formational teaching and doctrine.
For some, the idea of “theology” prompts glazed eyes and brings to mind images of a Charlie Brown-esque classroom, complete with the, “Mwa mmwwwwa mmwa” of the teacher. Breaking down the Greek word to mean, “the study of God” only further diminishes and stiffens this pursuit of the knowledge of the Holy. When we’re talking about theology, we are talking about seeking to understand who God is as revealed by the Word made flesh and the word given to us in Scripture! Desiring to know the Creator of all things, of everything that is, was and will be. Learning about the eternal, magnificent, incredible I AM — the One who is simultaneously transcendent and immanent.
Theology is practical because we live what we believe.
Our beliefs inform our thoughts and drive our actions. We see this expressed in Paul’s letter to the Christ-followers in Ephesus. The first half of Ephesians looks at what we believe, the second half shows what is produced in our lives. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 are theology – an expression of who God is, revealing the mystery of Christ and focusing on God’s desire to reconcile all things in him; expressing our need for grace, and the radical forgiveness offered us; declaring the abundance available in God who makes us children, members of his household, co-heirs with Christ. Only from there, can we begin to live what we believe. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 are theology embodied.
When I find myself not being humble, patient or loving my wife and kids well, the answer isn’t to try harder to be humble, patient and loving. The answer is to invite the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of my unbelief. Theology is what we live out. Theology is what we practice.
Our beliefs inform our thoughts and drive our actions.
Theology is grounding and gives us a firm footing.
Theology also provides the framework for our foundation. It gives us a firm footing to stand in times of turmoil and trouble, a solid rock to build our house. When the early Christians were experiencing trials and tribulation, the letters were written to remind them of what they were taught. The prayer for the persecuted was not for an end to persecution, but faithfulness in the midst of it. When imprisoned, even Paul’s prayer request was not for release, but courageous, incarnational proclamation of the gospel. Trials reveal what we believe.
Theology grounds us during times of difficulty and also provides a strong, stable launch pad for how we propel forward as we participate in the mission of God. It becomes the catalyst driving not only what we do, but why and how we do it. Pursuing the knowledge of the Holy influences every aspect of our lives. These are first things. As C.S. Lewis puts it, “When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.”
Theology is humbling and opposes the proud.
In a world where knowledge is power to be wielded like a weapon, theology opposes the proud. Approaching the idea of knowing a transcendent, omnipotent, omnipresent God requires humility. When we declare God is God, we are also saying we are not. We begin to realize God is too big to fit in our own lives, and realize our need to be molded into God’s life. The more we learn about the Creator, the more we become aware of what we don’t know. This knowledge is humbling. We see this trajectory in Paul’s life. Chronologically, we see his declaration of being “least among the apostles” (1 Cor. 15:9) become “least of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8) and ending with, “chief of sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).
As we learn and grow, we become increasingly aware of our need for the abundant grace and lavish love that only God can give to us. When we receive these gifts, we become conduits of this grace and love to those around us.
Theology's focus is on who we know rather than what we know.
Theology is a knowing (not merely an intellectual assent) of who God is. As the character of God is revealed, as what was accomplished in Christ is grasped, as we behold the beauty of God, and we understand who we have been created to be — hearts and minds are transformed. Lives are transformed. “Theology” is not a “top-shelf” subject just for the professionals or academics among us. It is for everyone. The reality is, we all “do” theology. The question is, are we doing it well?
Josh Alves, “Theology is for Everyone,” The Advent Christian Witness, Fall 2020
[1] Statistics from www.stateoftheology.com by Ligonier Ministries. I was surprised with how high this percentage was. When reviewing the numbers using their data explorer, filtering “Evangelicals who attend church once or several times a week” this number comes down to 69%. Still surprisingly high. Numbers may be slightly skewed due to their methodology, but still worth noting.