Why is theology important? Part 1 of 2

Austin Rankin Featured, God, Theology

The following is a paper written for Belhaven University by Austin Rankin discussing what theology is and why it is important. This is part 1 of 2:

Largely, the issues that are seen within our church and society today can be attributed to our lack of knowledge in theology because, as the human condition shows itself throughout Scripture, mankind loses sight of who we are and who God is. (1) The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of the study of theology. To achieve this goal, this paper will discuss what theology is, how theology is studied, and what the implications are of studying theology. 

To begin discussing the importance of theology, the term must be defined. The term “theology” can be divided into the Greek root words: “Theos” meaning “God” and “Logos” meaning “word, logic, idea, concept.” (2) At its basic definition, “theology” is the word about or the logic of God. (3) Thomas Aquinas defined “theology” as, “(a unified) science (in which) all things are treated under the aspect of God: either because they are God Himself or because they refer to God.” (4) John Frame is noted for defining “theology” as, “the application of the Word of God by persons to all areas of life.” (5) Per the definitions from Aquinas and Frame, the tendency is either to be more academic or life oriented, however, these are not necessarily to be separated. (6) The study (whether formal or informal) of theology is intended to affect all aspects of life. (7)

Theology can be further clarified by way of negation by discussing what theology is not. The study of theology is not “religious studies.” R.C. Sproul makes this distinction, in that, religious studies are concerned with the sociological and anthropological religious practices of humans in relation to deities whereas theology is the study of God Himself and then His relationship to mankind. (8) This is a critical distinction because the goal is not man-focused but rather God-focused. The study of theology is not just about accruing more head-knowledge to wield facts around to increase our status. (9) As Packer observed, 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 English Standard Bible states, “we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.” (10) Theology is also not just about having the right facts and data in line but rather about healthy and holistic truth. (11) Frame states, “…theology is not merely a means of teaching people how to live; it is life itself.” (12)

But which “god” are we discussing in this context? Christian theology is concerned with the God identified in Scripture: the Yahweh Trinity (Exodus 3:14-15, Matthew 3:16-17). (13) Scripture makes this point clear that there truly is only one true God (Isaiah 45:5, John 14:6). Scripture identifies itself as the very “breath” of God (“theopneustos,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17). (14) The Bible is essentially the very “logos” (word, logic, idea, concept) of God Himself. (15) Scripture is the supreme revelation of who God is and His relation to mankind and thus, is the objective authority by which we should learn about God. (16) Theology is not deriving thoughts and ideas about God subjectively by pagan influences (culture, society, preconceived notions, etc.) but rather by God Himself. (17)

While beginning to embark on the study of theology, two observances should be made: we must be self-aware and teachable. The theologian must observe that they can truly never be completely unbiased and objective due to the influences of our upbringing, environment, etc. The goal, however, should be to approach Scripture in the way of the Authority-Dialog Model, meaning, that Scripture is the Teacher, and we are the students. (18) The student approaches the Teacher, the Teacher instructs, and the student subsequently responds in submissive acceptance of the facts. This brings us to the second observance: for us to be teachable. We must have a submissive nature to the authority that the “logos” of God holds over us, as revealed in Scripture. (19)

What is the ultimate goal of theology? To what end is it studied? The goal of theology can be summed up in three words: orthodoxy, orthopraxis, and orthopathos. The tendency is to weigh too heavily on one or the other, but rather, all three are extremely important and will be emphasized more heavily in moments when needed. (20) We will examine all three closely. 

Orthodoxy means “right or straight thinking.” (21) Orthodoxy is primarily concerned with instructing and correcting our thinking to be in line with what the Scriptures say about who God is and our relationship with Him. (22) Primarily, this would entail the formal study of theology but this would really also include any time we open the Scriptures to learn about God because the Word of God is the highest revelation of theology from God to mankind. (23) We see this in Proverbs 9:10 Christian Standard Bible, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (emphasis added). Although there are some that would despise the formal learning of theology, orthodoxy is extremely important because if we are not being taught by a final authority (the Bible), then we are left to a subjective interpretation of who God is. (24) Historically, this has been where heresies begin in the church. 

Orthopraxis means “right behavior or practice.” (25) The primary concern of orthopraxis is for the theologian to not only have the proper knowledge of God but to have the correct action by the theologian as revealed by God in Scripture. (26)  Orthopraxis was a major concern for James in the Bible. James 2:17 ESV, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James goes on to say that mere knowledge alone about God truly only makes us qualified to be a demon unless coupled with the proper action/response to God (James 2:19-20). This does not negate justification by faith alone through Christ alone but rather is stating that a faith that is not moved into action is a dead faith. Theology that truly interacts and encounters the Sovereign God of the universe must be changed from the inside first, which will intern affect the outward actions. 

Orthopathos means “right or correct feelings or emotions.” (27) Not only does the theologian need to have the correct knowledge and subsequent action/response towards God, but their affections towards God truly do matter. When questioned about the greatest command in the Law, Jesus states, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38 ESV).” Here, Jesus commands that the greatest command is to love God and later states that this and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 ESV) are the two laws in which the entire Old Testament hinges on (vs. 40). 

Proper study and application of theology will affect orthodoxy, orthopraxis, orthopathos, and ultimately, all areas of life. (28) We see this in the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:

Hear therefore (orthodoxy), O Israel, and be careful to do (orthopraxis) them… You shall love (orthopathos) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. (Deuteronomy 6:3, 5-6 ESV, emphasis added). 

Here, we see that God intends for us to hear and learn about God(orthodoxy), do something and respond to this knowledge about God (orthopraxis), and finally, we are to respond with our love and affections towards God (orthopathos). Each of these goals interrelates and is interdependent: the more we know about God (orthodoxy) the more we learn to follow His ways and commandments (orthopraxis); the more we learn about God (orthodoxy), the more our affections are bent toward God (orthopathos); the more we love God (orthopathos), the more we put into practice (orthopraxis) the knowledge that we know (orthodoxy); the more we love God (orthopathos), the more we want to learn about God (orthodoxy). (29) How we think (orthodoxy), how we act (orthopraxis), and how we feel (orthopathos) will ultimately be affected through the study of theology. These goals should not be separated but rather synergistically grow each other. (30)

The knowledge of theology (and its implications of orthodoxy, orthopraxis, and orthopathos) are to be edifying and life-giving to the church. Leaders of the church are to use this knowledge “…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12 ESV). There is a danger in mishandling theology both to the congregation and to the leader that is mishandling truth. Thus, Scripture states, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1 ESV). This should be heard as a warning to those who embark on learning theology and to engage this in a humble manner. 

In the next article, we’ll discuss how theology is studied and then wrap up why theology is important in our daily lives.

-Austin

 

Footnotes

  1. J. I. Packer, Knowing God, (Illinois, InterVarsity Press, 2021), 12, 88.
  2.  R.C. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59,”  accessed August 3, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1J3LNvy5w8&list=PLGLxdyvM_M7QKs18Svsy2q83IFd-9rmlH
  3. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  4. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?,” accessed August 3, 2022, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/13
  5. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  6. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  7. Packer, Knowing God, 33, 21.
  8. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  9. Packer, Knowing God, 21.
  10. Packer, Knowing God, 21.
  11.  John Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R Publishing Company, 2013), 7.
  12. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 7.
  13. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  14. Bible Hub, “2315. Theopneustos,” accessed August 4, 2022, https://biblehub.com/greek/2315.htm
  15. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  16. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  17. Packer, Knowing God, 159.
  18. Richard Pratt Jr., He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives, (Tennessee, Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1990), 24-40.
  19. Packer, Knowing God, 101.
  20. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  21. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  22. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  23. Sproul, “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 59.”
  24. Pratt, He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives, 24-40.
  25. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  26. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  27. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  28. Packer, Knowing God, 33, 21.
  29. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?”
  30. Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?

Bibliography

Bible Hub, “2315. Theopneustos,” accessed August 4, 2022, https://biblehub.com

          /greek/2315.htm

Frame, John, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R 

          Publishing Company, 2013)

Packer, J.I., Knowing God, (Illinois, InterVarsity Press, 2021). 

Pratt Jr., Richard, He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament 

          Narratives, (Tennessee, Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1990).

Sproul, R.C., “Defending the Faith,”  accessed August 3, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/wa

          tch?v=FECVYM0O1tU

Sproul, R.C., “Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology:What is Theology? Part 1 of 

          59,”  accessed August 3, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1J3LNvy5

          w8&list=PLGLxdyvM_M7QKs18Svsy2q83IFd-9rmlH

Sproul, R.C., “Knowing Scripture: Literal Interpretation,” Ligonier Ministries, accessed August 

          5, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1vzMEHtexQ&list=PLWi0qXEimM4a6N

          4xWS1DNV-EFk7ZDt4l&index=4

Roberts, Vaughan, God’s Big Picture, (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2002).

Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Biblical Theology: What is Biblical Theology?,” accessed 

          August 3, 2022, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/92

Third Millenium Ministries, “Building Your Theology: What is Theology?,” accessed August 

          3, 2022, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/13

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