I love this first paragraph in Michael Horton’s new systematic theology titled, The Christian Faith:
In 1949, the English playwright and novelist Dorothy Sayers observed the common antipathy in her day toward doctrine: “‘Dull dogma,’ they call it.” According to Sayers, however Christianity is the most interesting story ever told. “And the dogma is the drama.” For many Christians, words such as doctrine and theology–and especially systematic theology– conjure up images of intellectual pride, divisiveness, and the presumption that we can put God in a box, neatly explained by our categories and formulations. Of course, we are nearly infinitely resourceful in using good things with corrupt motives and for less than noble ends. We can exhibit spiritual pride also in our experience or morality. However, it is the goal of good theology to humble us before the triune God of majesty and grace. As we will see more fully, the older theologians of the Reformation and Post-Reformation eras were so convinced that their interpretations fell far short of the majesty of God that they called their summaries and systems “our humble theology” and “a theology for pilgrims on the way.”
from Michael Horton’s The Christian Faith (Zondervan, 2011), 13. Used with permission.
Humble theology. I love that phrase. Don’t you?
Theology is not dead (far from it), nor is it dull. After all, it is, by definition, “the study of God.” However, along with the importance of theology, there is no room for theological pride. There is no “high horse” to ride on. For when God exhorts us to study and know true things about Himself, it is for the purpose of worship and our affections for Him—to point us to Christ and His cross. And when we stand before this mighty and glorious God, whose sovereignty dwarfs us and whose grace melts us, we cannot help but humbly bow down in reverence and awe.
“a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance”
(2 Timothy 2:24)
Joshua says
March 17, 2011 at 1:19 pmMan, I am LOVING THESE THEOLOGY posts. Look forward every thursday.
Alexx Davey says
March 17, 2011 at 5:59 pmThank you Abba. May 2 Timothy 2:24 be implanted in my heart!
John Gehrke says
March 17, 2011 at 7:56 pmThe meek shall inherit the earth.
John Gehrke says
March 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Connie says
March 17, 2011 at 11:52 pmOur God is truely an awesome God. He will in His time point out our shortcomings as Christians. Of course we can’t be perfect and this Word is definately Word I needed to hear tonight. thank you.
LLM says
March 18, 2011 at 3:29 pmGreat post! Reminds of this quote by JI Packer:
“If we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake, it is bound to go bad on us. It will make us proud and conceited. The very greatness of the subject matter will intoxicate us, and we shall come to think of ourselves as a cut above other Christians because of our interest in it and grasp of it…We must seek, in studying God, to be led to God.”
**I think it comes down to our underlying motivations. Why are we pursuing spiritual knowledge? Where do our priorities lie? And are we as concerned with learning, as with applying what we learn? If what we learn is not changing how we live (making us more like Christ), then we have failed.