The Dangers and Importance of Theology in Our Faith

Can You Serve Both God and Theology?

As human beings, we are wired to seek knowledge and understanding. We want to make sense of the world around us and understand our place in it. This is why theology, the study of God and religious beliefs, is so fascinating to us. However, it is important to remember that our pursuit of theological knowledge should not come at the expense of our relationship with God.

The Dangers of Theology

While theology can be a valuable tool in deepening our understanding of God, it is not without its dangers. One of the most significant dangers of theology is that it can become an idol in our lives. We may become so focused on studying and understanding God that we forget the importance of actually knowing him.

Jesus warned his disciples about this danger when he said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40). The Pharisees were so focused on studying the Scriptures that they missed the fact that they were pointing to Jesus, the very source of eternal life.

Another danger of theology is that it can lead to pride. We may become puffed up with knowledge and think that we are somehow better than others because of what we know. This is not the attitude that God desires for his people. As Paul writes, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Finally, theology can be dangerous because it can lead to division and conflict within the church. When we become so attached to our own theological beliefs and interpretations that we are unwilling to listen to others, we create barriers between ourselves and other believers. This is not the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23.

The Importance of Knowing God

While theology has its dangers, this does not mean that it is unimportant. In fact, a proper understanding of God is essential to our faith. As Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Knowing God is not just an intellectual exercise, but a personal relationship that transforms our lives.

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of knowing God. He wrote, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Paul knew that his relationship with God was the most valuable thing in his life, and he was willing to give up everything else in order to know him more deeply.

The Role of Theology in Our Faith

So, if theology is not the most important thing in our faith, what role does it play? Theology can help us to deepen our understanding of God and his ways. It can help us to make sense of difficult passages in the Bible and to understand how God has worked throughout history. It can also help us to discern false teachings and to defend the truth of the gospel.

However, we must remember that theology is a means to an end, not an end in itself. The ultimate goal of our theological study should be to know God more deeply and to love him more fully. As Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

How to Avoid the Dangers of Theology

So, how can we avoid the dangers of theology and keep our focus on God? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Remember that theology is a means to an end.

As we have already discussed, theology is not an end in itself. It is a tool that can help us to know God more deeply. When we study theology, we should always keep this in mind and be careful not to become so focused on our knowledge that we forget the one we are studying.

2. Cultivate a heart of humility.

Pride is one of the biggest dangers of theology. To avoid this, we must cultivate a heart of humility. We must recognize that our knowledge is limited and that we have much to learn from others. As Paul writes, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

3. Seek unity with other believers.

When we become too attached to our own theological beliefs, we can unintentionally create division within the church. To avoid this, we must seek unity with other believers, even those who may disagree with us. As Paul writes, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).

4. Keep your focus on Jesus.

Ultimately, the key to avoiding the dangers of theology is to keep our focus on Jesus. He is the one who gives life, and he is the one we should be seeking to know more deeply. As Paul writes, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). When we keep our focus on Jesus, our theological study will always lead us back to him.

Conclusion

So, can you serve both God and theology? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, you can study theology and deepen your understanding of God. But no, you cannot serve theology at the expense of your relationship with God. Theology is a means to an end, not an end in itself. When we keep our focus on Jesus and use theology to deepen our understanding of him, we can avoid the dangers of pride, division, and idolatry, and grow in our relationship with God.