by Henry Knapp
You know how people are “hashtagging” everything? A “hashtag”: preceded by the hashtag symbol, #, a word or short phrase is used to categorize and/or track an idea in social media. So, #cutepuppy identifies something as having to do with cute puppies. I confess to not fully understanding the term; I used it jokingly in a sermon a number of years ago, and was quietly taken aside afterwards and “corrected.” I had heard the term used often enough that I just adopted it, even without a clear understanding of its meaning.
“Theology” is one of those terms that gets kicked around the church and used so frequently that we begin to absorb it, sometimes without consciously intending to. We know it’s a “church-ish word” and so in certain settings, we hear it or use it.
Of course, that does not mean that we always realize the full import of the term. “Theology” is such a neat word and useful in the church, precisely for the fullness of the meaning it captures. Simply put, “theology” is the combination of the Greek words, “theos” meaning “God,” and “logos,” means “word” or “speech.” Thus, theology means “words of God.”
Insight comes when we consider all that “words of God” might mean. For one thing, “theology” means “words about God”—that is, theology deals with issues and concepts concerning God. When you are talking about God, you are talking “theology.” Now, not always is that “theology” coherent, thought out or even conscious, but when we use our language to discuss God, we are doing theology. Notice, theology here doesn’t assume good words about God or even true words about God. Anytime one is talking about God, either truly or falsely, they are engaged in “theology.” Theology deals with God, either accurately or not.
However, “words of God” may be taken in other ways. Not only does it mean “words about God,” but it also means, “words belonging to God.” That is, these are words which originate with God and come from God to us. Theology in this instance is that which we learn about God from God. He is the ultimate theological teacher. Theology originates with God.
Finally, “words of God” also mean “words to God.” Theology is not useless chatter, nor is it a compilation of useful facts about God. Theology has an end, a goal in mind. True theology moves a person toward God, towards a relationship with Him; it guides the theologian into a greater embrace with God. “Theology” separated from this goal is not true theology at all—for real “words of God” always brings the hearer to God. Theology points to God.
Theology, then, originates from God, it deals with God and it points to God. Or another way of capturing this: theology is taught by God; it teaches of God; and it leads to God.
Theology matters. You are a theologian. I am a theologian. We all are theologians. The question is: What kind of theologians are we going to be?
As we continue to grow as God’s people here at Hebron Church, as we mature together in our love for Him, as we seek to serve Him faithfully in this world, we are doing “theology.” Let’s commit to caring about it and doing it well—all for the praise of His glory!