By Russ Atmore
This question probably receives a negative answer from the majority of
Christians today. Theology is often though of, as dry and crusty, and a
subject that ought to be relegated to the fifteenth century (or before),
and is something that belongs on the long-forgotten shelf of some old
dusty library. The truth, however, is radically different. In fact, the
very meaning of the word ‘theology’, is a combination of two Greek words
that mean: the study of God or the doctrine of God. Theology is
concerned with God. A theologian is a person who studies God. In this
respect, every Christian therefore, is to be a theologian.
God is the supreme study. No greater thoughts can occupy the mind of the
Christian than thoughts about God. John Calvin said that, “all theology,
when separated from Christ, is not only vain and confused, but is also
mad, deceitful and spurious.” Theology pertains to God Himself. It is
the study of God, the study about God, about His Person, about His
attributes. It is Trinitarian in character – it pertains to the Triune
God. Every Christian, therefore, is expected to know theology. To deny
that theology is important is just plain ignorance. To ignore theology
is just plain foolishness – it leads to weak Christians, and may in some
cases prove that you are not a Christian at all.
Theology is warm, vibrant and sweet. To drink at its fountain is to
drink at the fount of all truth – God Himself. Studying theology will
mean that you might have to stretch your mind a bit, but the stretching
of all muscles is beneficial. It is important to take the long-term view
of this subject. God is going nowhere. He is here now, and always will
be. Short-term vision is shortsightedness – you are going nowhere fast.
Spiritual lethargy leads to stunted Christians whose grey matter just
deteriorates through non-use and lack of application. Do you want to be
a spiritual giant? Begin with God – you cannot go wrong. Build your
knowledge of God, apply your mind to complex issues about God, discuss
your findings with other Christians, read a systematic theology – begin
to grow as a Christian. Become a theologian today?
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