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.
1 comment:
I really enjoyed your sermon Sunday night. It made me want to take the time to learn more theology.
I went to MoBap and had several friends who were religion majors. I would see them argue over different viewpoints. It kind of turned me off to Theology (not God), but wanting to learn all the different ideas. They just seemed to cause divisions, where they were unnecessary. But you helped me see their value, because even when I'm not intentionally seeking certain theologies, I still have them. It would be better that I know what I'm talking about rather than just making it up as a go.
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