What is Theology?

Theology means the study of God, and to some, the word sounds scary. It sounds like something that only smart, intellectual people can engage with. That makes them uncomfortable, for it suggests that the gospel is exclusively for the elite.

People are suspicious of theology because some worry that it would puff someone up with pride. People are worried that too much focus on the Word of God will only lead to head knowledge without changing the heart.

There is some degree of truth in these statements. It is true that there are certain Christians who see theology as a means of looking good. And there are some Christians who say that in order to be a Christian, you must be able to perfectly express all kinds of theological doctrines.

Some may use special words such as “propitiation”, some may critique in detail a verse or a book they have just read, some may talk about theologians and church history thoroughly.

Christians can be so over-eager to share what they have learnt about God that they may have not realised that they drew a blank with the people they are talking to.

But it is also equally true that Word ministry is of great importance. Our minds need to be shaped by it.

In Romans 12:1-2, we are called to renew our minds, so that we are able to think God-patterned thoughts, and thus able to live out holy, God-pleasing lives.

And in the gospel, Jesus quoted Scripture to say that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. (Luke 10:27).

What our minds think about God is important.

Theology is not a collection of dry facts we know about God. Theology shapes our ideas about who God is.

For example, when I say I want to know more about somebody, this does not mean I want to gather cold, hard facts about them. It means I want to spend more time knowing them as they are. It means I want to spend time listening to what they have to say.

God has revealed Himself in His Son Jesus. (Hebrews 1:1-2) When we read the Bible, we know Jesus more and more. We say we know Him better and more deeply.

Theology is less about rationality and intellectualism, and more about the person of Jesus. Theology is learning about the gospel more.

Learning about the gospel is hard. First, it is hard emotionally. It tells us of our sin and our need of a Saviour.

Second, it is hard understanding it. There are a great many things that we have to learn when we become a Christian. Like in a relationship where we have to understand a person’s complicated backstory, or their complex personality.

But though the gospel is not easy to understand, it is in its essence very simple

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The gospel is simply God, who came in the person of Jesus, to die on the cross to save us sinners from His judgment on sin.

That is already the gospel.

Growing in theological understanding gives us more to appreciate about this great truth. Like when you know someone more and more, you are able to better appreciate who they are too. 

But let us also not think that we must store up various facts about God and His church in order to become a Christian. And may we not let our knowledge cause us to stumble younger Christians! (1 Corinthians 8:1-11)

Nonetheless, we must try, in our weakness, to grow in knowledge of Him (Philippians 1:9-11). We mustn't be  discouraged if studying the Word is overwhelming at first. The more our minds and hearts are exposed to gospel truths, the more we understand Him better. 

We can only love God if we understand rightly - not necessarily in such complicated terms - who He is.