Why study theology?

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3 NIV84).

Theology. The word finds its origin in the two Greek words: theos and logos. Theos means “God” and logos means “word.” Together they mean “the study of God.” Theology used to be considered the “Queen of the Sciences.” Pursuit of the knowledge of God was once thought to be one of the loftiest and most primary of all studies, but these days it is usually relegated to the dusty halls of philosophy. With the broad acceptance of secularism and relativism, theology has become a bad word in most circles.

But theology is gaining in popularity these days. The younger generation is especially interested in the study of God. It’s like the pendulum that swung to the far left with the baby boomer generation is swinging back with those born in the new millennium. These “Millennials” are the latch-key children of the boomers and they are sick and tired of all the moral uncertainty and lack of absolute truth that they’ve inherited from their parents. They want something more.

With this in mind we’re starting a new sermon series this Sunday entitled “Faith Foundations.” Don’t tell the boomers, but really this is a 10-week theological series.

Why study theology? Let me offer four reasons (borrowed from Charles Ryrie’s, Basic Theology) :

1. It leads to the possibility of eternal life. As in John 17:3, knowing God through Jesus Christ leads to eternal life. Knowing and believing are connected.

2. It encourages Christian growth. The study of theology involves the consideration of God’s works, His attributes, His names, HIs revealed words, His doctrines and laws, and His person. Since we were made in His image, it is appropriate and encouraging to study God in order to pursue being like Him. Of course, this requires a new birth and a new nature, but assuming that, we are able to study our God like a child studies his father in order to grow up to be like him.

3. It warns of the coming judgment. The study of God reveals that He is both sovereign and judge. He will one day judge all that He has created. This study leads us to prepare for His coming judgment by receiving His Son as Savior and provokes us to tell others about this future.

4. It inspires true worship of God. When we study God, we find ourselves caught up in the wonder and beauty of His character and overcome with joy by His work of grace through Jesus. Having real biblical knowledge of God enlarges our understanding and expands our capacity for true worship. We become the kind of worshipers that God seeks, true worshipers that worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Since God is infinite, the study of God is of infinite value and delight. If you’ve ever starred wide-eyed at a sunset or gazed at a star-filled night, then you have caught a glimpse of God’s beauty as revealed through His creation. Many spend their whole lives in the study of nature, but this created world provides only a glimpse of God. We could spend eternity in contemplation of God and never plumb His depths nor tire of trying. I suppose that gives us one more reason for the study of theology…

… it’s good practice for heaven.