The Goal of Theology

Too often, theology is viewed as either technical jargon or a buzz-word. To drop the word theology into a casual conversation is to conjure up images of either the book-toting seminarian or the 16th-century scholar clad in black vestments. We seminarians have probably not done ourselves any favors on this front, especially since the dawn of Twitter. However, theology is in itself a good word, and ought to be favored by the church. Theology brings baggage to conversations because often those who employ theological words and ideals have not had the proper goal in mind. A recovery of the goal of theology would help to bring back the glory of the word and the pursuit of theology itself. 

What the Goal of Theology is Not

Before we dive into the goal of theology, let us first explore what the goal of theology is not. 

Winning Arguments and Scoring Points

Arguments are, in a word, inevitable. Often, arguments are even necessary. When heresy is uncovered in the church, a theological argument must ensue. Even as protecting the gospel is necessary with right doctrine in those times, the times are not to be marked by joy, or even sought out. Instead, the Christian ought to live at peace with all, as much as he can. 

Those who seek out arguments in the name of theology simply to score points on Twitter have the goal all wrong. Causing unneeded division in the church is a grievous offense, and we ought to avoid it at all costs. Theology, when rightly understood and used in the context of the local church, will bring Christians together under the banner of Christ for the glory of God.

A Means to Intellectual Elitism

The goal of theology is also not a means to intellectual elitism. Intellectual elitism in the church creates an unbiblical class-system, in which those with more theological knowledge are seen as the ones who create the culture and have the clout within the church. In other words, amassing copious amounts of theological knowledge puts you on a pedestal above others. 

Sure, we should all strive to know more theology, reading all that we can of the deep things of God while we live here, but that in no means ought to gain us any sort of elitism in the church. A culture of intellectual elitism based upon theological knowledge will discourage those who are counted as “not elite” from learning more about God and will also produce pride in those counted as elite.

Advancement in the Church

Finally, the goal of theology is not advancement in the church. In order to properly protect and preserve the gospel, leaders of local churches need to be armed with much theological knowledge, but advancement in the church is not the proper goal for that knowledge.

Theological knowledge is not the grounds for one becoming an elder or pastor, though it is supremely important. An elder or pastor must be biblically qualified (1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). The goal of theology is not to become a pastor or to hold any type of authority in the local church. The result of such a power-grab would be a mistrust from the congregation and a prideful leader.

The Goal of Theology

Now that we’ve explored what the goal of theology is not, let’s dive into what the goal of theology is. In order to discover this goal, we can simply look at the word. Theology derives from two common Greek words: theos (θεος), meaning “God” and logos (λογος) or logia (λογια), meaning “a doctrine, or study.” Theology then, taken literally, means the study of God. The goal of studying an object, then, is to know that object more. For example, a math student will study for an exam by studying the particular elements over which she will be tested in order to come into a sufficient knowledge of the subject. 

In terms of studying God, or theology, our goal is to know God in such a way that results in him being glorified in us. This is not an overly simplistic goal, nor is it a goal that is impossible to attain. 

To Know God

Firstly, the goal of theology is to know God. With this in mind, we can rid ourselves of every prideful pretense that may creep its way into our study of God. The three sinful goals above shrink in comparison with the beauty of our goal of knowing God. The goal of theology is then tied the starting point of theology: Understanding that the transcendent God has revealed himself so that we might know him. 

Though he did not have to, God revealed himself to us both generally and specially that we might know him. Though our God—the subject of all of our theological endeavors—is mighty and unsearchable and eternally wise, he has given us a glimpse into his character, nature, redemptive plan, and attributes through his revealed Word as preserved throughout history. We, the created order, are given the privilege to know our God. That fact alone should humble us to our knees in white-hot worship. 

Knowing God is an exercise in humility. All semblance of pride or selfish ambition disappear in the radiance of the knowledge of God when we seek out the Scriptures and theology contained therein. Any pride we feel welling up inside regarding theological knowledge is a picture of our own indwelling sin that stain even the most glorious of truths: theology. 

In Such a Way That Results in Him Being Glorified in Us

The goal of theology is to know God. But the knowledge of God does not garner static results in humans. When we obtain knowledge of God through the thoughtful examination of Scripture, a change must occur. We must do something with theology. Our actions will be changed one way or another by theology. When we do theology rightly, we can either do the hard work of applying God’s word to our hearts and minds, or we can choose to sinfully reject this knowledge, and continue on in our sinful ways. In other words, theology brings us to a decision point.

For the Christian living under God’s rule and authority in life, knowing God must result in greater obedience to God himself. This is a joyful exercise. Every time a Christian does theology with the goal of knowing God, their life is changed from the inside out. Knowing God brings about a greater knowledge of his holiness and our sinfulness. Knowing God brings about a greater joy of his redemption of sinners through Christ’s atoning death on the cross. Knowing God brings about concrete hope of resurrection in destabilized times. These are theological truths that spark theological joy which overflow into a bonfire of God’s glory displayed in the Christian. To apply theology to one’s life is to glorify God. 

Theology is not a bad word. To do theology is to know God and come to the decision point of what to do with that knowledge. The Christian cannot reject this knowledge, but will plumb the depths of Scripture to know his God more and more. We must do theology to know God as he has revealed himself. And by knowing him as he has revealed himself, he will glorify himself in us as we overflow in worship of our God.