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Theology & Life

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Dr. Alexander Kurian

 

Theology does not begin and end with mere doctrine. It always works itself out in practice. The belief system of the Christian disciple is vitally important for his discipleship (life as a disciple of Christ). Without some reflection of those beliefs, he cannot meaningfully live his life for the glory of God. The relationship between theology and life is powerfully expressed by systematic theologian John M. Frame: “Theology occurs in the lives of people, in their behavior, as well as in their speech. Behavior consists of a series of human decisions, and in those decisions believers seek to follow Scripture. Behavior, too, as well as speech, can be edifying or unedifying. Example is an important form of teaching. Imitating godly people is an important form of Christian learning, and the behavior of these people is often a revelation to us of God’s intention for us (1 Cor.11:1). Their application of the Word in their behavior may be called theology. So theology is not merely a means of teaching people how to live; it is life itself” (Systematic Theology, 7).

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A sincere and meaningful study of Christian beliefs address the daily challenges we find in our current social, intellectual and cultural context. Christian ethics and morality is firmly built on Christian theology; on the very nature of God. Theology teaches Christians to live in grace, “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). Our faith points us beyond a theological system and leads us to a deeper knowledge and relationship with the awesome God, our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian Theology properly understood leads us to a vital and relevant Christian life of worship, service, discipleship and mission. A holy life divorced from sound doctrine becomes mere moralism.

 

Theology applies to the lives of those who learn its truths in a number of ways.

 

     1. Theology is Informational: Theology is an inquiry into who God is and it gives the right knowledge and information about God - His nature, truth, counsel, plan, and purpose. It helps those who have questions about God, the Bible, salvation, Christian life, death and after life to find the right answers. Theology speaks to the point of human need and provides us with answers to life’s most important questions. It helps us to recognize God in every situation. 

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     2. Theology is Transformational. Theology is inherently practical in the sense that it affects who you are and therefor how you live in the world. The goal of learning sound doctrine is to lead us into holy living. Beliefs should lead us to godliness and Christlikeness. Theology is vital to spirituality. It transforms us daily in the process of sanctification and spiritual maturation.

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     3. Theology is Diaconal: Theology inspires and challenges us to minister and dispense the multi-faceted grace of God in our service (diakonia) to others. Christians have the solemn duty to understand, articulate and live out our faith bringing blessing and hope to others. Theology leads us to service. Thus we are called to be good servants of the manifold grace of God. In our service we follow the incarnational model of our Lord Jesus Christ who was full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17). Christian ministry is characterized by truth, grace, love and compassion.

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    4. Theology is Missional: Christian theology is intrinsically missional since it concerns the mission of God and the God of mission. Christian missions is profoundly theological because Christian missions, both in its theory and practice is rooted in the very nature of the Triune God – God as a “sending” God. Christian missions is the church’s participation in the sending activity of God. God the Father “sending” the Son, and God the Father and the Son “sending” the Holy Spirit is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology. Thus Christian mission reflects Theo-logic. Jesus said to His disciples, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). It is on the basis of the very missionary nature and activity of God that theologians of missions like to refer to Christian mission with the Latin term missio dei (‘Mission of God’).

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    5. Theology is Doxological: Theology should lead us to doxology (ascription of praise to God). “Theology puts wonder in worship.” In his most theological of all epistles Paul praises God after a comprehensive account of God’s electing purposes. “Analysis and arguments must give way to adoration” (John Stott). In humble wonder and dependence Paul bursts into an astonished doxological exclamation: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways” (Romans 11:33). Paul falls down before God and worships. We have learned Paul’s theology only when we can join in his doxology.

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6. Theology is Theo-centric (God-centered). It is fundamentally about knowing God as theology is basically the study of God. Knowing God more deeply and intimately leads to love and adoration. How could we possibly come to know Him better without falling more deeply in love with Him and at the same time falling down before His majesty in reverence, awe and worship?        The goal of good theology is to humble us before the majesty and grace of God; to make us true worshippers of Him and to pursue the way of Christ in the world. Intellectual pride and presumption have no place in theology as God is beyond our theories, categories and formulations. “……the older theologians of the Reformation and Post-Reformation eras were so convinced that their interpretation fell far short of the majesty of God that they called their summaries and systems “our humble theology” and “a theology for pilgrims on the way” (Michael Horton, The Christian Faith, 13).3

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7. Theology is Practical. It helps us to know, articulate and witness to the saving truth and grace of God. It leads us to deeper discipleship, greater personal transformation and Christ-likeness, more effective service in the church and in the world, to be more mission-minded, to be humble, pure and faithful, and at its best leads to deeper worship.