I should have been locked-up! I had only recently started studying theology, and had quickly become enamored with it. I read old theologians and new ones. I poured over printed essays and textbooks. I loved the excitement of it all, and I could never quench my thirst for more knowledge. But the more I studied the more, I am certain, I became unbearable. It happens to most new theology students, but for some reason as we progress in our studies we develop exactly what Paul warned us about “puffed up” heads. Suddenly we become the most knowledgable theologians in our circle of friends and family. We know how to explain it all, how to refute contradictory positions, and who is right and who is wrong. And if that level of arrogance weren’t enough from the young aspiring theologian, the worse part is that we aren’t afraid to tell everyone (whether they ask or don’t ask). But over the years I have softened much. I have come to see that there is a great level of humility that must be developed along with our theology. Because heartless, arrogant theology not only fails to serve the church, but also fails to honor God.
It’s important that I not be misunderstood. I am not about to suggest to that theology is unimportant, unnecessary, or some esoteric hobby. Theology is not some man-made discipline. Theology is the application of the Word of God to all areas of life and the world. This is something that God does first as He interprets His acts and messages to His people. It is also something that God calls us to do. And the follower of Christ who ignores the study of God because he thinks it hard, useless, or divisive is naive at best and consistently failing in his obedience at worst. This is not an appeal to “just give me Jesus” as if theology is some useless academic discipline. Nonetheless, there can be a tendency to make more of our theologizing than we ought. This is especially true of people who have become devoted to a particular theological system. Our committment to the system can lead us to judgmentalism, and breeding disunity in the church. Let’s be clear, then, about a few things: (1) Theology is important, (2) theological systems do not save, (3) theological systems are all flawed, (4) unity is extremely important to Jesus.
Theology is important. I follow John Frame’s very practical and important definition of theology. Frame wrote that theology is the application of the Word of God to every area of the believer’s life. This is important because it takes theology out of the realm of mere head knowledge and into the realm of actual living. Theology may rightly be understood by its Greek terms: the study of (ology) God (theos). But that hardly seems like a fitting summary of all that is entailed in this discipline. It is far more about obedience to Jesus in daily life than it is about studying a bunch of facts or propositions. Theology is not preparing from some final exam that God is going to give at the end of time, and if you score a 100% on the True or False section you get into His Kingdom. Theology is really about taking what the Word of God says and learning how to live it out. And ultimately that is an issue of obedience, one we will be judged on. So theology is of paramount importance.
That being said, it’s important for us to also remember that theological “systems” do not save people. Salvation does involve believing certain things, namely that Jesus died, was buried, and was raised again (as Paul says). But being a Calvinist, an Arminian, a Methodist, an Anglican, etc. does not garner salvation. Systems may help you make sense of the content of Scripture but they are not salvific. You can believe them, adhere to them, find help in them, or not…accepting one or rejecting another does not guarantee one access into the Kingdom. Only Christ does. To make theology more than it is is to rob Christ of glory.
In conjunction with that we must also remember that no system is perfect. There is truth and falsity in every system, and even if we can’t always acknowledge the failures in our system of belief, we must be humble enough to acknowledge that being composed by uninspired men they can not be perfect. If you’re an Arminian there is truth in Calvinism, and vice-versa. If you don’t acknowledge this you will breed disdain for those outside your system. To suppose that your system is perfect is, simply to be naive. It is to ignore the truth of God elsewhere and the weakness of man’s ability.
Finally, we must acknowledge that unity is extremely important in Scripture. In fact, while we may divide over theological issues (baptism, eschatology, spiritual gifts, etc.), the Bible does not have any context for such divisions. It’s not that those issues that we disagree over are unimportant, it’s just that Scripture is ultimately very concerned about the unity of the church. John 17 makes clear that Jesus is burdened for the witness and protection of the church, and that is why he prays for their unification. How we work through these difference is obviously important, but maintaining unity across theological divisions is equally important. After all the Bible has very harsh language for those who are divisive. By not cultivating theological humility we end up actually creating division and God hates that at least as much as he hates theology aberrance. And remember that no system is perfect, and you will be judged with the judgment that use (Matthew 7:2).
Theological Humility is super important. So tomorrow I want to continue this discussion by looking at ways in which we might develop or cultivate theological humility.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 