This week I was asked why we should study theology? Theology is defined as “the study of the nature of God and religious belief.” Who is it for; professors, ministers, lay people? In trying to answer this question I came across several quotes I thought I would share with you. Indeed Theology is everyone's responsibility to learn, without it, we have no direction.
“Theology is all about knowing how to sing the song of redemption: to know when to shout, when to mourn, when to be silent and when to hope. But in order to enjoy the song and sing it well, we must learn the words and the music.” (Kapic)
Redemption is the action of saving or being saved from sin. As Christians we can definitely rejoice (shout) in the fact God has redeemed us, and called us by name. (Eph 1:3) I will say depending on the church this may or may not be received well, but my mammal can give a “Praise the Lord” with the best of them. It also goes on to say there will be deep times of mourning. Life has a way of throwing many problems our way. It may be mourning of a loved one, a relationship, a certain circumstance in our life, and on and on the list goes. The next line says a time to be silent. Sometimes in our life we just need to stop speaking and allow God to control our thoughts. Last but not least is hope. Hope is so important to us in life, without it I am not sure we could survive. Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Then the quote uses that tiny little word “but”. Basically we can have comfort in all these seasons of life “but” we must learn the words and the music first. The words are simply the Word of God, and the music the way we demonstrate the Word. You see you can know the Words to a song, but without the knowledge of how they flow to the music they would be useless. So is our Theology in life without demonstration. We can know God's Word, but unless we live it out in our lives we are like words on a paper, without the majestic music that accompanies it. Without Theology, the knowledge of God, we would be unable to have confidence in the song at all. Without studying God’s nature we would be unsure he could sustain us during difficult times, that we should rejoice because he has redeemed and set us free, or that he gives us enough hope for a lifetime. A true Christian is able to flourish in all these conditions because they know the ending to the song. TRevelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” So if we are singing the song, and singing it well we must be growing in our knowledge of the Lord.
"Growing in our knowledge of God changes our view of everything else. It is not that we lose sight of all except God, but rather that we view everything in light of God and through the story of his creation and redemption." (Kapic)
The study of God should change us in such a way, that we are unable to remain the same. What would our life be like if we truly viewed everything in light of God. I think we would have a totally different take on situations, and circumstances we are forced to deal with in life. I think we would think twice before we made a hurtful comment, belittled someone’s idea, or took God for granted. When we look at everything in light of God, there is no more us- simply God and all his glory.
God has chosen to give us his Word in its entirety. He has given us more ways than ever to study it. We have the ability to see the beginning, as well as the end of the story. So I ask you today when we stand before the Lord; what will be our excuse for not singing his song, and singing it well?
Kapic, Kelly M. (2012-07-05). A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology (Kindle Locations 147
“Theology is all about knowing how to sing the song of redemption: to know when to shout, when to mourn, when to be silent and when to hope. But in order to enjoy the song and sing it well, we must learn the words and the music.” (Kapic)
Redemption is the action of saving or being saved from sin. As Christians we can definitely rejoice (shout) in the fact God has redeemed us, and called us by name. (Eph 1:3) I will say depending on the church this may or may not be received well, but my mammal can give a “Praise the Lord” with the best of them. It also goes on to say there will be deep times of mourning. Life has a way of throwing many problems our way. It may be mourning of a loved one, a relationship, a certain circumstance in our life, and on and on the list goes. The next line says a time to be silent. Sometimes in our life we just need to stop speaking and allow God to control our thoughts. Last but not least is hope. Hope is so important to us in life, without it I am not sure we could survive. Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Then the quote uses that tiny little word “but”. Basically we can have comfort in all these seasons of life “but” we must learn the words and the music first. The words are simply the Word of God, and the music the way we demonstrate the Word. You see you can know the Words to a song, but without the knowledge of how they flow to the music they would be useless. So is our Theology in life without demonstration. We can know God's Word, but unless we live it out in our lives we are like words on a paper, without the majestic music that accompanies it. Without Theology, the knowledge of God, we would be unable to have confidence in the song at all. Without studying God’s nature we would be unsure he could sustain us during difficult times, that we should rejoice because he has redeemed and set us free, or that he gives us enough hope for a lifetime. A true Christian is able to flourish in all these conditions because they know the ending to the song. TRevelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” So if we are singing the song, and singing it well we must be growing in our knowledge of the Lord.
"Growing in our knowledge of God changes our view of everything else. It is not that we lose sight of all except God, but rather that we view everything in light of God and through the story of his creation and redemption." (Kapic)
The study of God should change us in such a way, that we are unable to remain the same. What would our life be like if we truly viewed everything in light of God. I think we would have a totally different take on situations, and circumstances we are forced to deal with in life. I think we would think twice before we made a hurtful comment, belittled someone’s idea, or took God for granted. When we look at everything in light of God, there is no more us- simply God and all his glory.
God has chosen to give us his Word in its entirety. He has given us more ways than ever to study it. We have the ability to see the beginning, as well as the end of the story. So I ask you today when we stand before the Lord; what will be our excuse for not singing his song, and singing it well?
Kapic, Kelly M. (2012-07-05). A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology (Kindle Locations 147
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