Why Theology?

Today, it seems that theology provokes two opposite reactions in the Christian community.
Some have an overdeveloped truth reflex - seeking to do battle with anyone who disagrees with their theology on even the smallest point. For these, there are no smallest points, they are all hills to die on.
Some have an overdeveloped grace reflex - seeking only to follow Jesus and finding all theological disagreements to be distasteful distractions from this following.
What is needed is a healthy approach to theology that is guided by a respect for God's Word and is colored with humility, faith and awe. 'Truth Man' has the tendency to strain out gnats while swallowing camels. His truth can become self-serving and self-righteous - and it lacks grace. And, truth that lacks grace begins to be less true. Because grace is part of truth.
'Grace Man' wants to follow Jesus, at times without doing the theological work needed to know what following Jesus really means (according to Jesus). His grace can become a weak image of true grace, because truth is part of grace (the truth of God's plan, work, holiness and rule).
Theology is unavoidable - because, aware of it or not, we live out a theology every day - a theology for which we one day will give an accounting. Since we all have a theology, we probably should give some thought to which theology we are living out.

When God seems too close

Sometimes we say that God seems too far away. When we are looking for direction, when we are in need of divine intervention - we may cry out to God to come close. But, as we have been talking about over the last few weeks, even then I think we may want him to come close on our own terms. Bringing what we want, what we think we need - in the manner we want Him to. A very big trained helper, bringing help.
But, of course, God does not actually come close to us in the manner we prescribe, or even in the timing we request. Sometimes God hits us with a burning bush - something we weren' t looking for with a message we weren't seeking for a problem we weren't trying to solve. Asking us to leave something, go to someone, change this, give that up. Coming close on His agenda. Do we really want this? We know the right answer should be yes, but it does not always feel comfortable, or even comforting.
We are called to love the Lord our God with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength - and that means loving him when He comes too close for comfort - even learning to love that He comes too close for comfort. Even seeking His closeness on His terms, in His time, in His way - when we can be there, we are finally in a position to keep this first and greatest commandment.