Knowing God Theologically - Part 1

Knowing God Theologically - Part 1

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

The knowledge of God is the wellspring of worship; worship being, “the believer’s response of all that he is - mind, emotion, will, and body - to all that God is and says and does.” If we misapprehend the truth concerning who, precisely, God is and what, exactly, He has said and done, we are to that extent, errant in our worship (Jn. 4:24). The demanding specifications of the knowledge of God, place the development of everyday theology at the center of all that is important for the Christian.

The term, theology, according to its etymological features, is a compound derived from two Greek words: theos and logos. Theos means “God,” and logos means “speech, expression, or logic.” Therefore, theology is a discourse upon the subject of God. James P. Boyce, said, “The word theology means literally a discourse concerning God, but in analogy to other words, as geology, chronology, and biology, it means the science which treats of God.” Theology can indicate the work of professional academics but it also refers to our general, systematic understanding of what the Bible teaches about all that relates to God - our doctrines…the faith as we understand it. Thus, everybody has a “theology.” Their theology is either good, or bad. It is either rooted in the context of God’s word properly understood, or hastily garnered from the rich resources of Facebook posts, tweets, insta-stories, bumper stickers and t-shirt slogans. 

Free-flowing, modernistic ideas about theology are what led A. W. Tozer to utter his famous saying, “What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us.” Albert Einstein said, “I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” If we are talking about invention, there could be some truth to Einstein’s statement (although, laws of physics, biology, chemistry and aerodynamics happen to be pretty stubborn. To flout them is to leap from the proverbial cliff in order to defy gravity). If the subject is theology, there exists no room for nuance or flexibility where God has made Himself clear (Ps. 119:128; Rom. 3:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The most useful application of theological work seems to be that of the systematic variety. Since we believe that life has meaning because it comes from God, a systematic theology is the effort to discover that meaning, as it is conveyed in the word of God. Lewis Sperry Chafer, said, “Systematic theology is the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.” This, of course, is a description of systematic theology as an academic endeavor, which is wonderfully helpful. The great theologians of the centuries have their work published in what we call “theologies.” What I am encouraging is the personal commitment in one’s own everyday existence to develop a theological worldview that is informed, shaped and applied in a comprehensively, scriptural way.



Different kinds of theologies exist. Systematic theologies which are also called didactic, or dogmatic, are intended to teach biblical doctrines in an explanatory, and methodical, fashion. Polemical or controversial theologies are intended to address a particular error. Practical theologies are also called experimental, are more devotional or obviously applicable.

In the word of God we find that knowing God is considered the highest of priorities:

John 17:3

3 And this is life eternal,  that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this,  that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Hosea 6:6

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and  the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Knowing God is the life, glory and purest desire of the Christian. It is fair to say; however, that modern Christianity knows little about God. They have a long list of materialistic, success-driven expectations for God, but very little by way of biblical theology. Lewis Sperry Chafer saw this as a problem in 1947:

Systematic theology, the greatest of the sciences, has fallen upon evil days. Between the rejection and ridicule of it by the so-called progressives and the neglect and abridgment of it by the orthodox, it, as a potent influence, is approaching the point of extinction…It is no secret that the average minister is not now reading Systematic Theology, nor will such writings be found to occupy a prominent place in his library. Shocking indeed this condition would have been to ministers of two generations ago - men whose position was respected in their day because of their deep knowledge of the doctrinal portions of the Bible and whose spoken ministries and writings have gone far toward the upbuilding of the church of Christ.

 The opposite of knowing and worshipping God according to truth is idolatry. Man is obsessed with gods of his own making; objects of adoration in the form of dead deities, fleeting riches and images fashioned after his own imagination. Paul referred to these idolatrous depictions as “…gold, silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device”  (Acts 17:29). Genuine worship begins with a thorough knowledge of God and all that is true about Him. Our political, fraternal and personal obsessions can easily become a deleterious form of ideological idolatry.

How Do We Begin Our Theological Journey?

Learning

In the earliest days of the New Testament church, believers were committed to continuing in "the apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42). It necessarily follows that all things related to doctrine were prioritized in the regular faith and practice of the early church. Doctrine means "things taught" or God's truth in God's words. When we gather with the church, the primary purpose is the preaching and teaching of God's word because it shapes our view of God and facilitates genuine worship (Jn. 4:24). God is a Spirit, so we cannot see Him (Jn. 1:17, 18). Therefore, we worship Him "in spirit and in truth." We worship Him in truth by believing what God's word reveals about Him. Gathering with the saints, listening to preaching, and teaching and learning about God is vital for our theological journey.

Reading

Implicit in the call to theology is the imperative to read. One cannot begin to know God without knowing His word, and we must develop a working understanding of the Bible to develop our theology. The simple, systematic, careful reading and re-reading of scripture can hardly be overemphasized. I have often found in sermon preparation that I had over-saturated my thoughts with man's ideas to the neglect of God's. Every Christian must commit to reading God's word before and above all else. Once this is done, much is available in the vast library of theological history that be read. By careful curation, one can avail himself of the finest teachings of God's best men. Avoid the misguided injunction to "read the lives of great men and avoid their theology." If the men are great and their ministries scriptural, their writings will be helpful. They will not be impeccable, but neither are our sermons, lessons, and counsel. Read the Bible. Read great theological works. Read sermons. Read topical doctrine. Read church history. Reading will help you on your theological journey.

Writing

Journaling our thoughts as we go improves our ability to articulate what we actually know. You do not know the material if you cannot say something with clarity and comprehensive logic. As the famous Bacon quote suggests, reading makes a broad mind; writing makes a precise mind. As we attempt to write down what we understand about our doctrines, we discover our own deficiencies. This will show us what we have yet to learn.

Teaching

My good friend, Pastor Jim Alter, says, "You do not know something if you can't teach it to someone else." In this regard, simplicity is predicated upon profundity. You have to know your material well to teach it to others. Even if you have no platform from which to teach your theology, talking out your faith to others or even yourself will transform your understanding.