Good Theology … (February 2023 Update)
Mention theology or doctrine among Christians and you are likely to get a variety of responses – mostly negative. But theology is simply “the study of God.” In that sense, everyone is a theologian, even the atheist! The question is not whether we have a theology, but whether our theology is good or bad, and whether our theology is biblical or not!
In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis says, “[If] you do not listen to Theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones— bad, muddled, out-of-date ideas.” That’s why the study of theology is so important.
We all have ideas about God (or about the non-existence of God) and about what He desires. Theology is simply “knowing about God.” The crucial question is, “What can we know about God?” “How can we know what God desires?” Evangelical Christians begin with the Bible. The Bible is our beginning point because we cannot begin to know God without His self-revelation in Scripture. But it is also our ending point because we view the Bible as the final word on any theological discussion.
So technically, theology involves the study of God. Literally the word theology means “the knowledge of God.” There are many ways we can find out about God, but, in Christian theology, we study what has been revealed about God. This is because we cannot understand anything about God unless He reveals Himself to us. This is why the Bible is our source for all our theology. If we have a theology rooted and grounded in the Bible, then we have “good theology.” If our theology is based on anything besides the Word of God, then it is not good theology.
Most of the time, when someone mentions theology, they are speaking about Systematic Theology. Systematic theology is any study that answers the question: what does the whole Bible teach today about any particular topic?” In other words, if someone asked the question: what does the Bible teach about prayer? The answer to that question would be found in systematic theology. Systematic theology surveys the entire Bible to find out what the Bible says as a whole about any particular topic. So, if you want to know what the Bible says about baptism, we would not just study one passage, but rather we would examine many passages throughout the Bible to see what the Bible says as a whole about that topic. And that’s why we call it systematic theology.
Now there are other theological disciplines, including Historical Theology, Biblical Theology, Contemporary Theology and Dogmatic Theology. But Systematic Theology is the primary focus of most theologians and most pastors. However, when we study systematic theology, it is very important that we understand the relationship between scripture and theology.
First, we need to remember that theology is not scripture. We must be careful not to allow our theology to influence our understanding of scripture. Theology is not scripture. But our theology should be based only on scripture. You must be careful not to put the “cart before the horse.” Scripture drives our theology, not the reverse!
Second, scripture is what gives us our doctrine. So, we could say that scripture generates or creates doctrine. Third, doctrine helps us to interpret scripture. Doctrine gives us a warning whenever our understanding of scripture passage does not seem to fit with doctrine. But we must always be careful to make sure that scripture comes first, and that all of our doctrine is based only upon scripture.
Finally, let’s look at the value of good theology …
First, good theology demonstrates the unity of Scripture. In 2 Peter 1:21, Peter reminds us that no scripture is of personal interpretation. Peter says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Systematic theology shows that all of scripture is united by showing how all scripture teaches the same thing.
Second, good theology demonstrates the relevance of Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:10, 14-17 tell us that scripture equips and prepares us for ministry and for life. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Theology shows how the truth of scripture is practical and relevant today.
Finally, good theology demonstrates the clarity of Scripture. Psalm 119:130 says, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Theology helps to make clear areas of Scripture that need explanation. By examining passages systematically through the entire Bible, we are able to gain insight into some passages that are hard to understand. It fits the saying, “Scripture explains scripture.” When we examine other passages, we understand difficult passages – that is systematic theology.
How to become a good theologian:
First, the best way to become a good theologian is to stay focused on Scripture. John Calvin viewed his Institutes only as help for aspiring disciples “to find the sum of what God meant to teach us in his Word.” The goal of his systematic theology is to focus people on God’s Word, not to become a substitute for reading God’s Word! You cannot be a good theologian by simply reading good theologies – you must stay focused on God’s Word. If you focus only on theological books, you will believe what men are saying about God, not what the Bible says about God. Stay focused on Scripture. Test everything by Scripture rather than accepting what the scholars say.
Second, to become a good theologian, make prayer your priority. Martin Luther instructed his students: “You should completely despair of your own sense and reason, for by these you will not attain the goal…Rather kneel down in your private little room and with sincere humility and earnestness pray God through his dear Son, graciously to grant you his Holy Spirit to enlighten and guide you and give you understanding.” Before we study, while we study, and after we study, we ought to be praying constantly, “Open my eyes that I might see the wonders that are in your law” (Psalm 119:18).
Third, to be a good theologian, learn to meditate. Luther also commends meditation to aspiring theologians. He says, “This means that not only in your heart but also externally you should constantly handle and compare, read and reread the Word as preached and the very words as written in Scripture, diligently noting and meditating on what the Holy Spirit means.” Meditation has been given a negative connotation by its connection with Eastern philosophies. But Eastern meditation is very different from Biblical meditation. Eastern meditation encourages one to empty the mind so that one can become one with the universe. Biblical meditation encourages one to fill the mind with God’s Word so that we will not be led astray by our own understandings.
The word “meditate” simply means to chew something over and over. This is what a cow does when it eats grass, and repeatedly brings it up to be rechewed again and again. This process is called “rumination.” That word also means to think repeatedly about something. The best theology comes as we spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word over and over again. In our fast-food society, would-be theologians often skip this essential step, and that prevents them from having a good theology.
Fourth, to become a good theologian, read good theology. Notice that this is last! Good theologies help to correct us and instruct us. But we should not start with them. A number of problems arise if we begin by reading theology books. Read theology to test your own theological ideas and interpretations. And read as widely as you can. Every theologian has his weaknesses and strengths. No one theologian or theology is totally true or trustworthy. So read widely and think deeply about all that you are reading. And, most of all, test everything by the Scriptures. Men are fallible; God’s Word is not!
Don’t think negatively about “theology.” Theology is simply the knowledge of God – something every one of us needs more and more. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV).
Teaching Ministry …
While I’m still not finished grading all my papers from my November classes, we also taught another class this January at Ukrainian Baptist Seminary. This was a smaller group than previously, so we were able to have a more intimate time with the students. I taught online and David Snead mentored the class in person. David is getting so comfortable with teaching the class that soon he will be able to teach it on his own. The class met downstairs instead of in normal classrooms, and we had a week with no major interruptions from the war.
In February, I will be teaching Theology at Kyiv Theological Seminary. Sergey Bochko will be helping me with this class. Pray for us as we try to teach students about the nature of God in this class. And pray for our students as they continue to study in the middle of the war.
Family Update …
Not much has happened with our house build since our last update. We had planned to have the footers and slab in by now by the bad weather has delayed everything. It looks like we might get back on-track in a week or so. Please continue to pray for us. We are finding out that everything costs much more than we anticipated. But the Lord has provided in many ways. Just this past month, we were able purchase almost all the flooring for our house – used. We were planning on using vinyl to save money. But we have been able to find over 2000 sq. ft. of engineered hardwood to cover all our floors (except tiled areas) for under $900! This flooring would cost us well over $12,000 if we had to buy it new! Much of this is new flooring that comes from people who bought too much for their remodels and sold it just to free up space in their garages. We also have almost all of our tile purchased too for less than $200. Pray that the Lord will keep showing us ways we can save while building.
While the snow and ice and cold have delayed our building plans, the girls have loved it. They have been building snow forts and having snowball fights with the other missionary family (from India) living next door. And of course, they enjoyed making snow angels and snow cones. It has been a great blessing being here at Hiding Place Hollow. Last Sunday we were able to be at another church sharing about the work God is doing through this ministry. (Click the link if you want to help this ministry help other missionaries).
In January, we were able to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas 2 times. Once, we celebrated with some church friends who recently retired here from Sacramento, California. The husband’s mother is from Russia, and they have always celebrated Christmas with family on January 6. So, we were able to spend the day with them and enjoy the Orthodox Christmas together (they are evangelical believers now). Then on January 8, we went to Siloam Springs and share a Ukrainian Christmas with some friends who were missionaries in Ukraine many years ago. They and a number of church friends get together every year to celebrate Orthodox Christmas. What a joy to join them and enjoy lots of traditional Russian and Ukrainian dishes! (I also added some beautiful sunrise pictures from my drive to teach class in the early mornings).
We also had a great time with Katya’s mom visiting us in late December and early January. While she was here, she did a lot with the girls. She even helped them make new pajamas. We are hoping we can bring her back for a visit in the spring. Our plan is for her to move here with us once we get the house completed. Also, at the end of January, we celebrated Kristina’s 9th birthday! The girls are growing up so fast, enjoying school and face painting, and loving their time with Haven and Harley (Sean and Meredith’s girls).
Pray for Ukraine …
Please continue to pray for Ukraine and the people there. It looks like this will be a long war. Putin has finally stated this and is sending more and more troops and weapons to fight in Ukraine. It appears that there might even be another attempted mass invasion in the coming month. Please pray for Ukraine during this time!
Also, pray for the churches of Ukraine. Times of crises are often times when people look to God. Pray that many will seek spiritual direction because of this war. Also, pray for the church and believers during these times. Most of the humanitarian aid coming to Ukraine is coming from Christian organizations. Pray that they can get supplies to people in need. We also have many friends and students involved as chaplains and other ministries for the soldiers. Pray for their protection and that they can share the gospel and lead many to Christ.
Finally, pray for Russia and the Russian people. For the last 8-9 years, the Russian people have been cut off from any news sources except government news sources. They hear terrible propaganda about Ukraine and the war constantly. Pray for the truth to get through so that the people of Russia will be able to question what their leaders are doing to Ukraine.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. Your support is so essential, especially during this time of transition back to the US. Everything here is so much more expensive than in Ukraine, and we arrived one year ago with nothing but a few suitcases (we had planned to return in April). Pretty much everything we have comes from thrift stores, but we can honestly say that we really lack nothing because of your prayers and support. We are being asked to help with many ministries here, including some seminary teaching. But I am so busy with teaching students in Ukraine that I really have no additional time for anything else at this point. But please continue to pray for us as we seek to know God’s direction for us in the coming years. Until then, we plan to keep training others so that they can have good theology.
By His Grace,
Jim, Katya, Kristina and Nadia
If you missed previous updates or just want to read some short theological reflections, you can find these at our website at https://teachingresources.org/ .
Also, some have asked about how to support us. You can send checks to Teaching Resources International, PO Box 1025, Cabot, AR 72023 or pay through PayPal on our website. Just put “#1000 Ehrhard” in the memo so our treasurer knows where to allocate the funds. If you want to help with our relocation fund or building efforts, put Relocation in the memo.
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