Why Discuss Theology? Why blog about it?

As this group of young writers considered discussing theology, particularly on a blog, an important question came to our attention. Why are we doing this? This meant, “Why are we discussing theology?” and “Why are we putting our thoughts on the internet for everyone to read and respond?” First, we had to evaluate our motives for starting a blog that discussed theology before we began participating in this particular desire. We all had a desire to express our thoughts on God and the Word of God. But we had to decide if those thoughts were an end in and of themselves, or if we desired to express those thoughts so that we may love God more and live like Jesus Christ. The answer was obvious to all of us. If our motives were just to show everyone, and each other, our intellects (which aren’t that impressive) then we are wasting our time; in fact we are feeding our pride. But if our reason for discussing theology is to edify and exhort one another to good works, then yes, by all means, let’s blog.

Many young evangelicals in our generation do not think theology and doctrine are important; particularly, discussing theology in an open forum where anyone can read and respond. I disagree and I think the Bible disagrees. Here are some reasons why.

First, I want to look at a few passages from the New Testament that I believe show the importance of truth, theology, and doctrine. Second, I want to give two examples of how Christ’s teaching can impact our practical Christian lives (I thank Minister Ligon Duncan for his excellent teaching on this subject, which has influenced most of this note.).

Jesus is giving the high priestly prayer in John 17:13 (ESV) as He says, “But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your (the Father’s) word.” In verse 17 Christ says, “Sanctify them in Your truth, your word is truth.” We can draw some implications from these verses. Truth, about God, is for our Joy (“that they may have my joy”) and truth is for our growth (“Sanctify them in your truth”). When we discuss theology and attempt to understand theology, we do it so we can have joy and growth in Christ.

In Matthew 28, Jesus gives the disciples the Great Commission. Notice that the Great Commission is neither going only to certain people, nor does it give followers the bare essentials of the gospel. Jesus tells the disciples in verses 19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things [or everything] that I have commanded you.” We are commanded to teach all truth about God to all people. We must not equate this with majoring on the minors. We are called to be “gospel-centered," but we must engage our mind on all things taught from the Word of God.

Many of my peers in evangelicalism today seem to think that theology and practical Christian living have no correlation. They wonder why we learn so much about God and the person and work of Jesus Christ at church, instead of learning how to become a better people. In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 Paul says, “Understanding that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” Paul is making a clear connection between our ethics or obedience, and our doctrine. Paul believes that you won’t be able to live obediently if you do not have sound doctrine. Also, you fight sin not with “five simple steps to overcoming a problem.” That might appeal to some because it seems like a quick fix. We are told in the Bible to fight sin with our identity in Jesus Christ, Who is better and more satisfying than sin. If we do get a quick fix another way and it works, maybe it wasn’t the fix that Christ wanted for us.

Paul gives the reason for writing his letter to Titus in the first verse. Paul wrote this “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords to godliness.” We see again the main reason that Paul writes is to instruct them on doctrine or truth and that truth has direct correlation with faith and godliness. They are not meant to be disconnected.

Acts 17:2-3 shows that Paul made a definite practice of learning and teaching theology, particularly systematic theology. “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’” Paul used the totality of Scripture that Jews would have had, to explain and prove the reason for Christ's death and resurrection. He is essentially using systematic theology to give the gospel.

Second, I want to give two practical reasons out of many why I think doctrine and theology are important:

1. For our assurance. In John 15, the disciples are in the upper room with Jesus and He is giving them some final words before His betrayal and death. You would think that Jesus would give his disciples a “tear-jerker” motivational speech; but He does not. He instructs them on the doctrine of election. He says in verse 17, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” Why would Christ instruct His disciples on the doctrine of election just prior to his death? The all-sovereign, omniscient Jesus Christ knew that in only a few hours He would be betrayed and crucified, and He knew that all His disciples would abandon him. He knew if they were relying on their own faith for assurance that they would have crumbled to the ground in shame and disbelief. Because He knew they would fall and deny Him in a moment of weakness, he wanted them to be theologically-informed that their salvation did not rest in their own faith but in the hands of an unfailing Savior. Doctrine is extremely applicable even though we may not see its direct correlation to our personal life at times.
   
2. For our joy. In Phillipians 3:1 Paul says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice in the Lord.” He follows that statement with ten verses dealing with the doctrines of justification, sanctification, and glorification. “Rejoice in the Lord” seems like it might be out of place with what follows. Paul is commanding believers to have confidence not in themselves but to have confidence solely in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who justifies and sanctifies and glorifies us. We are to learn doctrine so that we can rejoice and be filled with joy because of the work that Christ has done for us and in us. Doctrine is for delight! We cannot fully delight in Jesus Christ if we do not understand true doctrine about His person and work.
   

This is why we discuss theology. So we can delight in the Lord Jesus Christ and have joy in understanding “all things” about him. We love the simplicity of gospel and we have a burden to keep the gospel the “main thing.” But we are also called to observe more than just the ABC’s of the gospel; and that is the reason for our blog.

Luke