Another Reason Theology Matters

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Perhaps the greatest reason that theology is worth our time is that it gives us a more clear and more grand view of God.  Theology proper - the study of God - presses us into thinking about God in a way that clarifies who He is, who we are, and also how little we know about and understand Him.  Just last night I was listening to a lecture on God and Creation from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and throughout the lecture, I was repeatedly struck by how much knowledge there is in the world.  August, Aquinas, Anselm - these are just a few of the great minds who have influenced our view of God today.  To study even the works of these three man would take more than a lifetime.  And then to think of others like Calvin, Luther, Taylor, Lewis, and more - all this just shows us how small we truly are.  And consider that even if we could grasp fully all that these men had written and said in their lifetimes, it would still be but less than a single grain of sand on the shores of God's wisdom.

As you ponder the greatness of God, the vastness of His power and of His mind, we can see why Paul would end Romans 11 like this:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.

How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths tracing out.

'Who has know the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been His counselor?'

'Who has ever given to God that God should repay them?'

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

- tC

Why Theology Matters

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In recent weeks, I have been reading more theology than usual.  While I love it (and I realize most people don't), the nature of my work is that much of my reading is usually about leadership, discipleship, and other very 'hands on' topics.  But that, I find, is just the problem with people's perception of theology.  They see it as esoteric, disconnected from the day-to-day life of most humans, and often tainted with hints of intellectual snobbery (picture the ivory tower).  And while theology can be misused as means to look down on those who don't study in this field, it is of vital importance.  Let me explain why I think so.

Theology is the study of God, and as J.I. Packer notes He is the ultimate end of all things, the cause of all things, and the greatest subject of investigation that any person (not just seminary professors) can undertake.
If we are followers of Christ, if we study the Bible, then we are - by the literal definition - theologians.  So let us not relegate theology to just those who are pastors and professors - let us all see that we are all called to study and know God.

Additionally, good theology informs a well-lived life.  Don't be misled into the notion that what we think, believe, and understand doesn't matter.  The overflow of the heart leads to our actions, but the overflow of the heart is rooted in how we think.  "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is" Solomon tells us (Proverbs 23:7).  Good theology leads to good thinking.  Good thinking gives us the greatest potential to live a good life.

Lastly, the call of the Christian is to be a disciple-maker (Matthew 28).  That being said, the Christian, as he or she engages with skeptics, friends, and family - the Christian cannot run to the pastor or professor every time a theological question is raised.  We are called to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15), and so we must work at becoming more and more prepared.

Theology matters because thinking accurately about God matters.

Perseverance Showing Salvation

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I have recently been reading the various versions of The Parable of the Sower, and was struck by Luke's telling of this story found in Luke 8. At the end of the passage, after Jesus has explained what the three 'dead' soils represent, He says that the one good soil will produce fruit.  But there is a subtle truth slipped into His description of the good soil.  In verse 15 Jesus tells us that the good soil produces a crop by persevering.

If we don't read carefully, that concept of perseverance might bring up the idea of salvation by works, making is think that if we really gut it out and stick with Jesus, we will bear fruit and be saved.  But certainly Jesus is not teaching such a notion - we know from reading all over the Gospels that Jesus teaches salvation is by grace alone through His work on the Cross.  But what this parable does tell us is that He expects His followers to produce fruit, and that a fruitless life must make us question for ourselves or (graciously and humbly) for others if a person has truly been made new in Christ.  Thus we conclude that true followers are fruit-bearing followers.

That said, we should also note that the idea of perseverance speaks to a long-lasting faith.  This, for me, was a challenge years ago when I was involved in a great deal of outreach and evangelism.  There is a reality that occurs in the life of the person who truly is born again where the Spirit of God indwells such a person and (according to Paul and Peter in various locations in the Bible) a person with the Spirit will never be lost to God.  As a young evangelist, I was always trying to people to cross that line and make a true profession of faith.  But this parable shows that many appear to have true faith at first, but the mark of a truly regenerate individual is to not only bear fruit but to persevere.  Paul tells Timothy that he has "kept the faith", and so I think it more appropriate to ask not if a person (or if we ourselves) have prayed 'the prayer', but instead if we are persevering and producing fruit, thus showing we are truly His.  Legitimate salvation and conversion is often difficult to judge.

In the end, Jesus wants fruit-bearing disciples who persevere to the end.  If we are truly His, we will persevere not by human effort but by God's grace.

(Click HERE to look at Luke 8).

- tC     

Known By God

Soon after we consider the 2 cautions I discussed in the last post, we are moved by Packer to another wonderful concept - we are known by God.  To many, this is petrifying, and rightfully so.  We all should initially feel a sense of fear when we think that God knows us completely.  I reflect back to a song by Caedmon's Call where the group sings, "No one would love me if they knew all the things I hide."  I recall sharing that line with my father many years ago when I first heard it and he just shook his head in humble agreement.

But the beauty of God is that He loves is in spite of the mess we are.  He knows us fully - all the mess, all the pain, all the facade - and He still looks at us with a deep paternal love.  He looks at us and says, "I know it all - and I love you just the same."  This is truly a miracle.

I recall a few years ago praying before teaching a class at the church building one night.  I prayed, "God please let me..." and then I stopped and re-started, "God, glorify Yourself in tonight's class."  And then I stopped again and laughed.  I started for a third time, "God, you know that I was going to pray for You to help me to not look stupid tonight, but then I stopped because it didn't sound good.  But since You know everything, I pray both these prayers - help me to do well, to not look stupid AND to glorify You even if it means I DO look foolish."

In all the ego and self-absorption of that moment, God loved me no more or less than the moment before.
He knows us and loves us.  Thanks be to God.

- tC

Knowing God: 2 Cautions

Packer offers what I believe are two essential challenges to knowing God.  At first blush, one could read these and think, "Yeah, what a shame that some other people are dealing with that issue..." but we must be cautious and examine our own lives before we look to anyone else. 

The first challenge is to realize that there is a difference between knowing ABOUT God and truly knowing Him.  I certainly know a lot about Rickey Henderson, my favorite baseball player from when I was young, but I would never say I know him.  Likewise, the Bible tells us in James that event the demons believe in God, and they shudder, but they still don't do the things God asks of His creatures. James even subtly implies that at least the demons have enough sense to shudder - we often don't even do that.

The second challenge is to realize that knowing about godliness and knowing God are different. We can know how to act, but knowing God will change how we act, for He changes who we are.

The other day I shared one of the challenges I face in my walk with God - I love to serve Him, but I want to serve Him because I love Him.  To know Him and let that be the core of my life and service - this is my desire.

- tC

A New Series: Knowing God

If you have been around any Christian bookstores in your life, you'll probably recognize this book as a classic.  Knowing God by J.I. Packer is one of the most well-known devotional/spiritual formation books in publication.  It was originally written in 1973 and while the times have changed, much of the content doesn't need to.  So over the next few weeks, I am going to be reading it and offering some reflections on what strikes me the most.

 

So far, I am just part way into Chapter 1, but already I was struck by this one fact: Packer says that those who know God pray with great frequency and fervency.  I believe this to be true and whenever I am in seasons of quiteness with God, I often find I am not making time for prayer.  So if Packer is correct I ask you - is your prayer life marked by passion?  If so, he'd say you are likely to know God and not just know about Him.

- tC

Think On Such Things

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"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

- Philippians 4:8

I can clearly recall back in 7th grade when Mrs. Linville visited our biology class.  She was the Thinking Skills teacher who came from class to class over the year, and on one occasion she taught us the word metacognition.  It means to think about thinking.  Today, we will do just that.

What do you think about most?  I have been pondering this because last week I was asked a question by a student about if the lyrics to songs matter?  My response could best be summed up in this verse from Paul to the Church at Philippi.  If we hear lyrics that are drawing us closer to Christ, we will likely think about these things.  But more broadly than just addressing music, this verse addresses our overall thought life.  It's easy to say that one should avoid thinking about things like pornography because it puts unreal and distorted images into a person's mind about sex.  But for many people, it is less about the overtly immoral thought life and much more about the subtle ways in which we have programmed our brains to think on things that may or may not be Christ-exalting.

So here is a test for us all. 
- When you drive in the car and your mind wanders, to what does it wander?
- When you have some free time, what is your initial thought about how you will spend it?
- When you wake up in the morning, how long before you think about the things of God?
- When you think about having time alone with God in prayer, His Word, or another form, how do you respond at a gut-level?
Food for...thought.

- tC