Lost In Thought

The notion that many carry of theology and theologians in general is that of a portrait of some book wielding bearded old men in a frock with an indifferent countenance donning some antiquated puritan’s capotain. That is a typical stereotype that fill the minds of many. And for others, the idea of theology is too cerebral for them and would rather opt for something more exciting. Yet despite these skewed caricatures, theology is an essential part of the believer’s life and is intellectually stimulating.

So what is theology? Simply put, it is the study of God. To many, the idea of studying God is repulsive. Some argue that God is unknowable and unfathomable thus any attempt to study him will prove eventually to be an exercise in futility. For others still, they find the venture repulsive because they reason such an attempt is demeaning to the Almighty because he is reduced to a mere test sample for the perusal of puny mortals for the stimulation of their vain academic fancy.

Some on the other hand believe this endeavor is warranted. These believe that God is knowable by dint of revelations of himself that he has given to mankind. Though they maintain the available revelation is sufficient for one to come to an acknowledgment of the existence of God and to enter into a personal fellowship with him, they recognize that one cannot fully comprehend this deity with the finite mind in toto. That notwithstanding, they hold that what is revealed should suffice and thus no one is without any excuse whatsoever!

The term theology is broad and encompasses the entire body of Christian doctrines with its many subsets which include:
• Theology Proper: The study of the first person of the Trinity i.e. God the Father
• Christology: The study of Christ
• Pneumatology: The study of the Holy Spirit
• Bibliology: The study of the bible
• Anthropology: The study of man
• Angelogy: The study of angels
• Harmatiology: The study of sin
• Soteriology: The study of salvation
• Ecclesiology: The study of the church
• Eschatology: The study of last things

Theology can also be categorized in several ways based on how these bodies of Christian doctrines are organized. They include:
• Systematic Theology
• Biblical Theology
• Historical Theology
• Dogmatic Theology
• Contemporary Theology

I am sure many will be fazed by all these terms that they are being bombarded with and has left some wondering why study theology at all? Why bother? I appreciate those sentiments and I understand the frustration. I have been there before and have felt that way too but I am convinced the benefits far outweigh the drudgery involved in the study of theology.

Socrates once made a bold statement that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Similarly, it can be said that the unexamined faith is not worth having. Beliefs have consequences. Thus wrong beliefs could have dire (even damnable) consequences. Some people assume sincerity to be a yardstick for measuring the verity of their beliefs. This thinking is sadly erroneously and misplaced.
A wrong belief about God held sincerely doesn’t suddenly change to be right. It only means one’s sincerely held beliefs about God is sincerely wrong thus one is still culpable. A sound biblical theology is imperative for one to be able to sift out truth from falsehood, facts from fiction and realities from illusions.

I think study of theology is cool and worth one’s while. Let us endeavor to familiarize ourselves with its rudiments so as to help us better live the total Christian life in Christ alone to the glory of God alone!