Certain Christians specialize in theology, ideas about God. This is a wonderful practice, for ideas about God affect the way we relate to him and the way that we live. Sometimes, though, this attitude produces a Christianity that is primarily theoretical. In the worst cases, it yields an empty, close-minded, and even hypocritical faith.
Other segments of the church favor a more practical approach, preferring to get their hands dirty for the kingdom than to sit around discussing it. Or, perhaps, they desire contact with God himself and not merely the discussion of ideas about him. These, too, are wonderful impulses, for we are definitely called to connect with God and to give genuine expression to our spirituality within the nitty gritty of daily living. Still, those who take this approach sometimes fail to see the (long and short term) impact of ideas. As a result, their actual practice of love is not what it might be (ironically, because they lack some of the ideas that foster such love!), and they open themselves up to various errors, both practical and theological. Likewise, they convey the false impression that you can pretty much believe whatever you want so long as you're "nice" about it (without a word from God, it can be difficult to distinguish niceness from foolishness).
It seems to me that both of these extremes miss the point. Theology--our ideas about God--are supposed to impact the way that we live. That's why it's described as "the truth which is according to godliness" (Titus 1:1). Likewise, our lives are supposed to impact the doing of theology, requiring that we make sense of the faith as it applies to the real situations we encounter. A faith that can't cut it in everyday life is not biblical faith.
Once again, we are called to embrace the tension of "both-and." Ideas matter immensely, and we must care enough to contemplate the big issues of life, seeking to locate and then follow the truth. In a word, theology is necessary. Likewise, if we are going to be true to the gospel and its author, we must be brave enough to take the truth to the streets, allowing life to challenge our current conceptions. God's presence in life drives us back to our sacred texts, compelling us to locate the truth and wisdom required for handling our dilemmas. Sometimes, our current beliefs are confirmed. Other times, we are forced to reconsider our interpretations.
Truth was never intended to be divorced from life. In fact, our daily affairs should remind us, as the Bible has for centuries, that God is not merely an idea but also a person. Indeed, he is an ever-present person, and his goodness and grace permeate his world. What we must see, then, is that the truth of God and the God of truth intersect and overlap. Thoughts about God, derived primarily from Scripture and our traditions, intertwine with the ever-present One himself, who governs daily affairs and touches human souls.
Thus, it's not enough to theorize, though it is necessary. Nor is it enough to bask in the presence of God and in all that he shares with us, though this too is necessary. What we need are proper ideas about God, coupled with a longing to connect with him personally.
God can be found both in his Word and in his world. Though we are liable to misinterpret him, or to completely miss him, he is in fact located in both places. Theology helps us to locate God in the world, while God's presence in the world helps us to better formulate our theology. Keeping these together enables us to encounter the truth--both abstract and personal--in powerful and exciting ways.
Other segments of the church favor a more practical approach, preferring to get their hands dirty for the kingdom than to sit around discussing it. Or, perhaps, they desire contact with God himself and not merely the discussion of ideas about him. These, too, are wonderful impulses, for we are definitely called to connect with God and to give genuine expression to our spirituality within the nitty gritty of daily living. Still, those who take this approach sometimes fail to see the (long and short term) impact of ideas. As a result, their actual practice of love is not what it might be (ironically, because they lack some of the ideas that foster such love!), and they open themselves up to various errors, both practical and theological. Likewise, they convey the false impression that you can pretty much believe whatever you want so long as you're "nice" about it (without a word from God, it can be difficult to distinguish niceness from foolishness).
It seems to me that both of these extremes miss the point. Theology--our ideas about God--are supposed to impact the way that we live. That's why it's described as "the truth which is according to godliness" (Titus 1:1). Likewise, our lives are supposed to impact the doing of theology, requiring that we make sense of the faith as it applies to the real situations we encounter. A faith that can't cut it in everyday life is not biblical faith.
Once again, we are called to embrace the tension of "both-and." Ideas matter immensely, and we must care enough to contemplate the big issues of life, seeking to locate and then follow the truth. In a word, theology is necessary. Likewise, if we are going to be true to the gospel and its author, we must be brave enough to take the truth to the streets, allowing life to challenge our current conceptions. God's presence in life drives us back to our sacred texts, compelling us to locate the truth and wisdom required for handling our dilemmas. Sometimes, our current beliefs are confirmed. Other times, we are forced to reconsider our interpretations.
Truth was never intended to be divorced from life. In fact, our daily affairs should remind us, as the Bible has for centuries, that God is not merely an idea but also a person. Indeed, he is an ever-present person, and his goodness and grace permeate his world. What we must see, then, is that the truth of God and the God of truth intersect and overlap. Thoughts about God, derived primarily from Scripture and our traditions, intertwine with the ever-present One himself, who governs daily affairs and touches human souls.
Thus, it's not enough to theorize, though it is necessary. Nor is it enough to bask in the presence of God and in all that he shares with us, though this too is necessary. What we need are proper ideas about God, coupled with a longing to connect with him personally.
God can be found both in his Word and in his world. Though we are liable to misinterpret him, or to completely miss him, he is in fact located in both places. Theology helps us to locate God in the world, while God's presence in the world helps us to better formulate our theology. Keeping these together enables us to encounter the truth--both abstract and personal--in powerful and exciting ways.
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