Why Theology?
Theology is for all of us. Photo by Bethany Laird on Unsplash
Why theology? Well, first let’s look at what is theology.
Theo + Logos = Theology
Theo - God
Logos - Word, discourse, discussion, reflection
Theology is the thought, reflection, discourse about God that occurs between when we come to know Him and when we express His message of hope and joy to others. Theology is crucial for us for several reasons.
In my time in ministry, I have observed mostly two camps when it comes to theology and Christian leaders in North America. We either emphasize theology to the detriment of practical application, or we emphasize the practical without concern for the deep-rootedness that good theology provides. In this case, an overemphasis on the foolish confounding the wise gives way to just foolishness.
While I firmly believe in the priesthood of the saints and the equipping nature of the Pastor. I also think that we must reach for it all and not remain content with whatever level of knowledge of God we have.
Theology has come to be something we often rush past or are self-deprecating about: "Well, I'm no theologian." I've heard this too often in conversations, in sermons, in meetings and other gatherings of Christian leaders. Pastors, Church Leaders, Missionaries, Worship Leaders, Evangelists, etc. You are all theologians because you talk about God based on your knowledge of Him, and others look to you for answers!
From my perspective and experience, Christian theology appears to have become institutionalized. It is for those people at Bible College. (Or seminary, or teaching pastors, or…) Hiring a teaching pastor does not absolve you or me from our responsibility to reach for it all.
Somewhere along the line, being a theologian or engaging in theological discourse became someone else's job. It became professionalized, an aspect of a job description rather than the outward fruit of an inward rootedness in God. This has led to challenges in terms of leadership development and sustainability for the church today.
We must reclaim the theological discourse so that we are better positioned to disciple others. Does this mean the everyone needs a degree in the subject? No. But some people in Church leadership do so that they can be a helpful resource to others. Maybe you are one of them?
Theology reminds me of essential parts of a tree (or bush, or some other growing thing, I'm not a horticulturist). We can take them for granted when we are interested in the fruit. The fruit is alluring, smells lovely, looks beautiful, possesses immense potential in terms of multiplication. It is often the first thing we notice it is often what we think about when we think of that tree. Who says; "apple tree" and doesn't think of apples?
But the fruit goes bad really quick when it falls away from the tree. The tree sustains life. Deep-rootedness in God is life-giving, deep-rootedness inwardly in God will give rise to the outward fruit of the Christian life.
I see theology as representative of that deep rootedness. Theology is not an old person in a stuffy library lecturing about dispensationalism. LOL — well maybe it is is that also — but it needs to be all of us in the course of our ministry and daily lives reflecting on God and our growing knowledge of Him so that we can healthy and balanced and fruitful (That answers the ‘Why?’)