“In its simplest meaning, theology represents the study of God” (Dunning p. 4). Theos in Greek means God, and logos is word or language. Therefore, any conversation with God, with others about God, and any study of God is theology. As Thorsen states on page 6, Thomas Oden’s definition of theology is “reasoned discourse about God, gained either by rational reflection or by response to God’s self-disclosure in history.”. Yet, some consider it to be a science, as well.
Thorsen notes that, according to Fiorenza, “Theology is a fragile discipline in that it is both academic and related to faith. As an academic discipline, theology shares all the scholarly goals of other academic disciplines: it strives for historical exactitude, conceptual rigor, systematic consistency, and interpretive clarity. In relation to faith, theology shares the facility of faith itself. It is much more a hope than a science” (Thorsen p. 6). He goes on to compare it to more of a raft bobbing out on the waves versus a pyramid on solid ground.
Still yet there is a third definition to consider. Paul Tillich’s definition of theology “emphasizes the need to correlate our beliefs with reference to the contemporary human situation: theology as a function of the Christian church must serve the needs of the church” (Thorsen p. 7). Basically, what is the truth, and how does that relate and help us today.
Rather than compete with one another, I believe these definitions of theology could suffice to work together. Take into consideration 1 Corinthians 12 where the Apostle Paul speaks of differing ministries yet one Lord. Just as we are all members of the same body with different strengths and weaknesses, so we are all theologians with differing abilities. “For by one Spirit are we baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV).
Why is theology, or studying God so important? My first answer is straight from the Bible, itself. We are to “Study” to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15), and “rightly divide the word of truth”.
Dunning backs this up when he says, “As the facts of nature are all related and determined by physical laws, so the facts of the Bible are all related and determined by the nature of God and His creatures, and as He wills that men should study His works and discover their wonderful organic relation and harmonious combination so it is His will that we should study His Word, and learn that like stars, its truths are not isolated points but systems, cycles, and epicycles, in unending harmony and grandeur” (P. 49).
In Matthew 16:16 when Peter utters his famous statement, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” Jesus tells him in the next verse, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Jesus says that Simon is no longer Simon but Peter, and upon this rock He will build His church. So one source of authority is the church, but only as it is subject to Christ and God the Father.
First the ancient church was in Jerusalem. Then it transferred to Rome, and the pope was the head of it. Over the first few centuries, the church used their authority to set down creeds that we still recite today. Then in the 1500’s, the church’s authority was called into question.
“Martin Luther (1483-1546) was foremost among those who challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope, and the magisterium in favor of the primacy of Scriptural authority” (Thorsen p. 25). Luther believed those in authority had abused their office and had forsaken the Bible. He wanted to reform the practices of the church. He believed that Scripture alone provided sufficient revelation for matters of Christian beliefs, values, and practices” (Thorsen p. 26).
Whatever Luther’s shortcomings, God revealed something to him that changed the world. Today, I can say, along with our Nazarene manual 2017-2021 that I “understand that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, in inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.”
As stated above, theology is the study of God. It is also the language of or talking about God. To add to this, I believe theology is thinking on God. Some of the most spiritual parents in the faith were those who contemplated God, the Scriptures and how the church ought to function. Today, people do not place great thinkers on as high of a pedestal as they did in days of old, but Spiritual growth cannot happen without time of spiritual quietness and contemplation.
One of the most important functions of theology is it “can serve as a defense of the faith and a bridge for nonbelievers” (Umble Lecture). In order to effectively communicate and to bridge the gap between believers and nonbelievers, one must have a certain amount of knowledge. We do not always have to understand, though. I like what Thorsen said about Augustine. “Augustine notably said, ‘Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore do not seek to understand in order to know, but believe in order that you may understand” (p. 8). When we believe and have faith, we gained enough understanding to be able to share God’s good news with the world.
In conclusion, theology might sound intimidating to one who is not a scholar, but if we approach it as a tool for witnessing, then we not only gain tools to be able to minister but also gain more understanding about whom we are representing. “Theology at its best will contribute to vitality spirituality rather than impeding one’s progress” (Umble lecture).
Works Cited
Dunning, H. Ray, Grace, Faith, & Holiness: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology, Beacon Hill Press, 1988
Thorsen, Don, An Exploration of Christian Theology, Baker Academic, 2008-2020
Umble, W. Thomas, Who Needs Theology? An Introduction to the Study of God, Lecture
Shannon Wells 