Why Theology?

Taken from www.christianlandmark.com

Studying doctrine and systematic theology is challenging for me and I often wonder if it is a futile exercise.  No matter how many theologies and philosophies we develop, human finiteness prohibits us from truly understanding and explaining the Divine.  Though our attempts to explain God’s character and actions may be intellectually and even spiritually impressive, they are not sufficient to explain the mind and actions of a perfect God whose thoughts and ways are higher than created man’s (cf. Isaiah 55:9).  For instance, theologians may battle Calvinism and Arminianism or impassibility and passibility.  While one may prefer one theological position and develop a doctrine of God or systematic theology as a result, no one can claim certainty as to his position.  Therefore, I have perceived theology as an interesting and faith increasing enterprise that can only provide its students with a “best guess” as to the truth of God’s nature and actions.

However, I am seeing that my perspective of God borders on Neo-Platonism at times; the notion that God is too great to be known directly opposes Christianity.[1]  Platonism holds that God is considered “non-being,” for He is too great for the “unaided human mind” to conceive.[2]  Within Christianity is the truth that God has revealed Himself so that He may be known.[3]  Christianity is God revealed, not God unknown.  Such revelation is found in the Bible and in Jesus Christ.   Doctrine cannot claim to have God explained or place limitations upon Him, but doctrine is necessary to ensure that what God has revealed is faithfully preserved.  God is not “too great to be known” for in His greatness, God chose revelation.  Theological study is not man’s attempt to explain the inexplicable, but man’s response to God’s revelation.  God described David as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14); believers must seek to understand the heart of the God they aim to please.  Theology and doctrinal studies aim to explain God’s heart systematically, intellectually, and rationally.  While it may seem odd to systematically explain matters of the heart, Christian orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right practice) require axioms by which disciples can order and center their lives.  I can embrace theology more willingly if I forsake that it offers certitude and accept that it is man’s best response to God’s revelation which produces enhanced spiritual intimacy and worship of the Creator.  Theology as solely an academic endeavor will puff up, but theology as a means to systematize what is known about God so that He may be better loved (and therefore obeyed) builds up.[4]  I admit that it is difficult to balance reverence for a holy and mysterious God and intellectual doctrinal study, but such balance is a worthy effort for it contributes to overall Christian orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and personal relationship with God Himself.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

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[1]Gerald Bray, The Doctrine of God (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993): 34.

[2]Ibid.

[3]Ibid.

[4]cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1, where Paul states that knowledge puffs up but love builds up.