WWUTT: What is Theology?

There’s a word you won’t find in your Bible, yet you’ll find the subject all over your Bible:

Theology.

What does theology mean?

Augustine of Hippo was perhaps the first to use the word “theologia” in both Greek and Latin, which he defined as “reasoning or discussion concerning the deity”. “Theos” means “God” and “–logia” means “sayings or reasonings”.

Now, people often say things like:

“Well, I’m a spiritual person. I’m just not theological.

“I love the Bible, but I’m not interested in theology.”

“Don’t give me theology, just give me Jesus!”

They make these statements because they’re ignorant about theology, or what the word even means. (However, R.C. Sproul once said, “Everyone is a theolgian.”)

Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church shared this:

Jesus never let his theology get in the way of his ministry.

Andy Stanley instructs pastors to separate theology from ministry:

“When you separate theology from ministry, you liberate your ministry and have better theology.” (Andy Stanley at Catalyst, April 22, 2016)

And, apologist William Lane Craig said:

“We’re not doing theology. We’re doing apologetics.” (Reasonable Faith Podcast, March 26, 2017)

If you’re opening your mouth and talking about God, you are being theological. If your theology is not grounded in Biblical Orthodoxy – in other words, right teaching – you might be a heretic.

The Bible tells us to study theology. Specifically, the Bible says to study right theology.

Paul told Timothy:

“Charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:3-5)

If anyone teaches a different doctrine that does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” (1 Timothy 6:3-4)

…when we understand the text 

(This video is by WWUTT. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central.)