Avoiding Theology Idolatry: Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with God

Is Your Theology Leading You to God or Away from Him?

As Christians, we believe that theology is essential to understanding who God is and who we are in relation to him. However, there is a danger in our pursuit of knowledge about God, which is that our theology can become an idol, leading us away from the very God we seek to know.

What is Theology Idolatry?

Theology idolatry is when we focus more on our understanding of God than on God himself. It is when our pursuit of theological knowledge becomes an end in itself, rather than a means to a deeper relationship with God. We can become so enamored with our theological systems and frameworks that we lose sight of the God who is beyond our understanding.

Jesus warned his disciples about the danger of pursuing knowledge about God without actually knowing God: “You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about me. And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life” (John 5:39-40, CSB).

It is possible to study the Bible, memorize verses, and accumulate theological knowledge, yet still miss the point of it all. The point of theology is not to impress others with our knowledge or to earn God’s favor through our intellectual prowess. The point of theology is to know God and to be known by him.

Signs of Theology Idolatry

How can we tell if our pursuit of theological knowledge has become an idol? Here are some signs to watch out for:

1. Your theology doesn’t lead you to worship.

If your theology doesn’t inspire you to worship God, it may have become an intellectual exercise rather than a spiritual one. Theology should lead us to a deeper appreciation of God’s character and a greater desire to praise him for who he is.

2. You view theological disagreements as attacks on your identity.

If you feel personally threatened or attacked when someone disagrees with your theology, it may be a sign that you have made your theological beliefs an essential part of your identity. While our beliefs are important, they should not define us to the point where we cannot listen to others or consider alternate viewpoints.

3. You prioritize theological correctness over love.

If you value theological correctness more than loving your neighbor, you may have lost sight of the heart of the gospel. Theology should not be an excuse for arrogance or divisiveness, but a means to better understand and love others.

4. You are more concerned with theological labels than with Christlikeness.

If you are more concerned with being labeled a Calvinist or an Arminian than with being conformed to the image of Christ, you may have lost sight of the purpose of theology. Theology should lead us to a deeper understanding of who Christ is and how we can follow him more closely.

5. You use theological knowledge to impress others or to win arguments.

If you use your theological knowledge to impress others or to win arguments, you are missing the point of theology. Theology should lead us to a humble appreciation of God’s greatness and a desire to share his love with others, not to a desire to be seen as intellectually superior.

How to Avoid Theology Idolatry

If you recognize any of these signs of theology idolatry in your own life, don’t despair. There are steps you can take to refocus your pursuit of theological knowledge on its proper end:

1. Seek a deeper relationship with God.

Theology should be a means to a deeper relationship with God, not an end in itself. Take time to pray, meditate on Scripture, and worship God apart from your theological studies. Remember that theology is not an end in itself, but a means to knowing God more fully.

2. Be open to other viewpoints.

Don’t let your theological beliefs become an essential part of your identity. Be open to listening to others and considering alternate viewpoints. Remember that we are all on a journey of learning and growing in our understanding of God.

3. Prioritize love over theological correctness.

Remember that the heart of the gospel is not theological correctness, but love. Make a conscious effort to love your neighbor, even when you disagree with them theologically. Seek to build bridges rather than walls.

4. Focus on Christlikeness.

Don’t let theological labels distract you from the goal of becoming more like Christ. Remember that theology should lead us to a deeper understanding of who Christ is and how we can follow him more closely. Make Christlikeness your primary goal, not theological correctness.

5. Use your knowledge to serve others.

Don’t use your theological knowledge to impress others or to win arguments. Use it to serve others and to share God’s love with them. Remember that the ultimate goal of theology is not intellectual superiority, but humble service.

The Bible’s Warning Against Theology Idolatry

The Bible is full of warnings against idolatry, which is the worship of anything other than God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly warned not to worship other gods or to make idols for themselves:

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-5, NASB).

In the New Testament, idolatry is not limited to physical objects, but can also take the form of sinful desires or false beliefs. Paul warns the Colossians against being taken captive by “philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8, ESV).

Similarly, Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, people will have “itching ears” and will accumulate for themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear, rather than sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

These warnings should remind us that our pursuit of theological knowledge is not immune to the dangers of idolatry. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the temptation to make our theology an end in itself, rather than a means to a deeper relationship with God.

Conclusion

Our pursuit of theological knowledge is an important part of our Christian life, but it is not an end in itself. Theology should lead us to a deeper relationship with God and a greater love for others. If we find ourselves valuing theological correctness over love, or using our knowledge to impress others rather than to serve them, we may have fallen into the trap of theology idolatry.

Let us refocus our pursuit of theology on its proper end, which is to know God and to be known by him. Let us seek a deeper relationship with God, be open to other viewpoints, prioritize love over theological correctness, focus on Christlikeness, and use our knowledge to serve others. By doing so, we will avoid the dangers of theology idolatry and grow in our understanding and love of God.