It’s all Theological

Not everyone is called to formally study theology. Not every Christian needs a Masters or a PhD in biblical studies. There are certain mysteries and details in scripture that believers don’t have to master in order to be a good follower of Jesus. Different Christians have different inclinations because God’s wired them differently. In fact, as someone who has a masters and an academic bent, I actually deeply admire those who may not have the biggest and most comprehensive grasp of Scripture but who are out there daily making a difference in people’s lives by representing the justice, mercy and love of Christ to a hurting world. I know it certainly challenges me.

Nonetheless, despite this, all Christians are theologians. We are all called to know who God is, what He has done, what He has promised, how we are to live, and what He will do. The good thing is, for most Christians, this isn’t actually something they need to start doing. The reality is every time they say something about what God is like or applying something Jesus taught, they’re doing theology.

I remember asking a brother about how they arrived at a certain conviction about their work in health in practice, theologically. In other words, ‘what theological convictions shaped that?’. Their response was a bit of a disappointment. They said, ‘I don’t know, I’m not a theologian, I just know...’ Now to be honest, I can’t recall the actual topic, but that’s not the point; their answer is. And I have a lot of respect and love for this brother, and I’m not trying to mock them. It’s just an example of how some Christians are selling themselves short.

All Christians are theologians, which means every decision we make is a theological one. How we spend or invest our time and finances, our hobbies, our vocations, to how we relate to our friends and families. Even the conversations we have.

Not that we need to take certain theological models or study koine Greek to make decisions, but everything we think, say, and do, should be done with God at the centre.

Just consider these words from Paul:

“WHATEVER you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭

Even every discussion is a theological one. We may not talk about God or the deeper things of scripture, but who God is and what he has commanded should shape these. That’s why scripture has so much to say about our speech.

So the question, Christian, isn’t are you going to be a theologian. The question is, what kind of theologian are you going to be? One that seeks to honour the Lord as Holy by seeking to understand and apply to their best ability what the Lord has revealed?

Again, this doesn’t mean you need to be an expert who gets so caught up minor details they’re neglecting the weightier matters, but it does mean a recognition that the Lord is at the centre of your life. As Paul said,

In him we live and move and have our being.”— Acts 17:28