May 2010: Don't be afraid of theology!

The Bible was written in such a way as to require much study. If you are not willing to meditate and think upon the Scriptures, you will not get very far in your knowledge of God. Ignorance is not spirituality.

Today, the word ‘theology’ almost scares us. Why is that so? When you say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ that is theology. When you say, ‘God saved my soul from sin,’ that is theology. When you start to speak of God, you are a theologian. Theology, simply defined, is the study of God. Could there be anything more sublime than that? Rousseau once said that if all of the complicated words were taken out of philosophy, nothing would be left but a shame and an embarrassment. Theology doesn’t have to cause us fear. Paul told Timothy, ‘Study to show yourself approved unto God… rightly divide the word of the truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15). That is the task of God’s theologian.

The patriarchs, prophets and apostles were all theologians. They weren’t afraid to think upon God. They knew God; they lived with Him, and pointed to His Christ. The church fathers were theologians; the Reformers were theologians; our most esteemed preachers and men of God in the 21st century are theologians. They know the Word of God and the God of the Word. Biblical theologians promote a glorious Christ. Their focus, in all things, is His glory. They know that He is supremely worthy of praise and exaltation. The reason we have such poverty in the pulpit is because the preachers don’t meditate upon the Scriptures. The Word is not hidden in their heart. And the same rule applies to the pews. Do you not miss hearing about an excellent Christ in evangelical sermons? Are you not tired of bubble theology that looks fun but leaves you empty within?

Due to the lack of biblical theology and knowledge that reigns today, we witness an upsurge of un-biblical theology. It is not sound, not tested and not profitable. Commercial Theology has become the order of the day. It is what dominates in so-called Christian churches. The things of God have become a business. Christ is the product that we mould and manipulate to satisfy the whims of the public. Commercial Theology will never dare offend anyone; it will not preach against sin; it will say ‘all is well’ when all is but well- peace, peace, but there is no peace. God has become a puppet that we manage and change according to the fashions of the times. In Commercial Theology, regeneration becomes education; sanctification means being a successful person; salvation is economic prosperity. Confess your desire positively enough, and this 21st century deity we have invented is somehow under the obligation to perform the thing! Why such nonsense? We hear this dirt week after week! Why are paganism and the New Age being proclaimed in Christ’s church? Because we stopped thinking biblically! We accepted whatever ‘felt’ good and didn’t ask if it lined up with the truth.

When you go back to writers like Luther, Calvin, Bullinger, Owen, Charnock, Gurnall, Newton, Bunyan, Edwards, Whitefield, Spurgeon and many more, you know that these men took time to think Scriptural doctrine through. Their theology is fiery, biblical and Christ-centred. There is a need in today’s church for men and women who will take their Bible in their hand and breathe deep. We need people who take time for godly teaching; saints who take doctrine seriously. There is a sweet maturity that comes to those who aren’t afraid to mediate slowly and patiently upon the glory of the Gospel. Let your mind be overtaken by sound theology. Our microwave generation has left us bankrupt of Scriptural depth; and the only weapon that will crush this manipulative spawn of hell- Commercial Theology- is sound, biblical, Christ-centred believers. Will you be one of them? Will you take time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10)?

Don’t be afraid to meditate upon God. It is sorely needed.