Theology comes from the Bible, but why build up traditions around the Bible? Why not just leave the Bible alone as our reference? It seems to be the simpler and more devout approach. Yet, it was not an approach the apostles were content with. See 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 1 Timothy 6:20, and 2 Timothy 2:2: There were, are, and will be many ways of misreading, mishandling, and misunderstanding the text of Scripture. The correct method of interpretation and the correct interpretation were to be handed down from generation to generation. The practical lessons, precepts, and wisdom were to be modelled and taught. The doctrines were to be expounded so that everyone could grasp them. The sum of these things is our theology, it is the deposit left by those gifted by God to the building up of His Church. See Ephesians 4:10-15: “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Where Does Theology Come From?
Theology is thinking seriously about what the Bible says and the results of those contemplations. Theology is not an addition to our devotion, but a very basic component of it. You cannot worship a God you do not know; knowing God is the pursuit of theology. You cannot share a gospel you do not understand; understanding the Gospel is a theological pursuit. Theology is not something for colleges and seminarians alone, it belongs in our local churches and our homes. Theology is for everyone!
A great deal of our theology was written out to answer the threat of heresy. The church fathers came together in council and drafted creeds to clarify the deity of Christ, the deity of the Holy Spirit, solidifying the Biblical teaching in clear, concise theological statements. The reformers wrote theological statements on grace, faith, and the Word of God to correct errors within the church of Rome.
The Princetonians drafted statements on the historical accuracy of Scripture, the physical resurrection, etc., to answer a tide of wanton skepticism in the Presbyterian churches. The leaders of the conservative resurgence published defenses of the historic doctrine of God’s Word, or miracles, etc., to halt a tide of unbiblical teaching within the Southern Baptist Convention.
In every age, there have been challengers to the faith once and for all delivered to the saints, and there have been theologians who rose to defend the faith and faithful, and to ensure the clarity of the Gospel for all people now and in the future.
Theologians have also gone to work to address a need within the Church. People wondered why God should become man, so Anselm wrote a book. R. C. Sproul found that people did not understand The Holiness of God, so he published a book after giving a series of lectures. Peter famously observed in his Second Epistle that some of what Paul wrote was hard to understand, and we can only agree with Peter on that.
Some things Peter wrote are also difficult, and let’s not forget John, Daniel, Jeremiah, David, or Moses. Let us also not forget that language changes over time, and what was clear as crystal in the 1700s or 1800s is murky as mud to most of us today. So, the need is ever present for theologians to write even if there is no innovation or discovery in the field.
Of course, other fields bring forth innovations and theories which spark discussions that theology can and should speak to. In the same way, societies and economies change over time, raising issues that theology must speak to.
Theology takes what is in the Bible and draws it out to meet the needs of the churches, of society, and each individual. Theology is not some extra addition to normal Christian thought, but is merely the serious contemplation of the Bible. It is no wonder, then, that it is a vast field. Theology deals with the knowledge of God, which touches on every other field and discipline and every facet of life. That is big, really big, and it warrants an array of approaches. Now that we have a working idea of what theology is and where it comes from, we should turn our attention to how it is done.
Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
