Theology is the study of God, and God is immeasurable. That being the case, how can we fallen humans construct good theology? It’s a great question. Have you thought of it before?
Christopher Morgan, co-editor of Crossway’s Theology in Community Series, offers some great thoughts:
Still the challenge is enormous. How can we clowns construct good theology? Though that massive question requires more time, space, and insight than I have, five contours of such an answer include:
- By realizing that we do not create theology, but interpret, analyze, and synthesize God’s own gracious self-revelation, which is historical, progressive, personal, verbal, true, sufficient, and life-changing.
- By accepting that while the depths of these truths about God and his truth will remain out of our reach, by God’s grace and through his self-revelation, we can and do know in part. Thus, formulating theology is like wading in a vast ocean: we may have some experience and knowledge of the sea, but we can make no pretense of plumbing its immense depths. So rather than seeking to develop some sort of definitive theology, we humbly work toward such theology.
- By following a sound theological method, which centers on carefully examining the key passages, themes, and teachings of the Old and New Testaments, relating them to each other, and relating them to historical and philosophical concerns.
- By developing our theology in community with others. Theology is not an individualistic enterprise, but is rightly done together—by the church and for the church.
- By applying the subsequent truths to pressing pastoral, missiological, and personal concerns. Theology matters! It shapes our worship, evangelism, mission, preaching, leadership, and preaching. It fosters our faith, hope, love, unity, and holiness.
You can click here to read the rest.
Theology matters, indeed!
[Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson are co-editors of Crossway’s Theology in Community Series which currently includes three volumes: Suffering and the Goodness of God, The Glory of God, The Deity of Christ.]