DO YOU WANT TO KNOW GOD?

In the past, I have had close family members warn me that I just might be getting too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good. Apparently, my maternal grandmother often told the story to my mother of a relative in her family history who was “extremely religious”. My grandmother had been taught by her mother that she was not to get too involved in religion because the pursuits of this man ultimately led him to commit suicide. I cannot say that I have honestly ever met anyone who was too heavenly minded, though I have met more than enough people who are not heavenly minded enough!

Tim Challies has said that while he receives all sorts of feedback from his blog posts, there is one type of feedback that discourages and dismays him. “It’s when people who have been Christians for a long time reveal that they have only the smallest amount of theological knowledge or, even worse, reveal their belief that theological knowledge is an unnecessary or even evil thing. This is sadly common and always tragic.” Nothing is sadder than a senior citizen who still acts as an infant. No one would ever be that way on purpose.

What is theology? Theology is simply the study of God. The fact is everyone has a theology. The issue is whether that theology is true or false. Even if man fails to acknowledge God, he knows that God exists. Romans 1:18-21 says that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

We can have thoughts about a lot of things in this world, but that does not mean those thoughts are backed up by truth. At one time in our history, a person who just believed what they wanted to believe or held beliefs solely based upon their own feelings was considered not credible at best, and possibly mentally impaired. We have thoughts about the world, other people, our place and purpose in this world, and our relationship to God. We act according to what we believe. Many people base their theology on what the world teaches, and then they act accordingly. God has revealed Himself in His Word, and His Word is the only valid source of truth from which to inform our belief system. This is what makes a worldview biblical rather than secular. People who are known as great intellectuals, who make it their life’s passion to be knowledgeable on everything under the sun are respected and admired by the world. But what is an even greater object of study under the sun is the very One who created the sun! The eyes of the world are blinded to seeing the Son. Blind men cannot see where they are going. Christians, however, have been given eyes to see the truth. We cannot live life in a way that reflects reality if we do not have a proper view of God.

Some people say, “Well, I don’t need to study theology because Christianity is not a religion but a relationship.” I would not trade my relationship with Christ for anything in this world. But what makes a relationship a relationship? A relationship is built upon trust as one comes to know another more intimately. In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to die. He says He is going to prepare a place for them. Thomas cries out, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus responds with the well-known verse: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Philip’s great comeback is to ask Jesus to show them the Father. Listen to Jesus’ response. “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?” The disciples lived with Jesus physically. Believers today live by faith. What is faith? Hebrews 11 talks about faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith is the confident conviction of things hoped for. It is confidence rooted in a firm foundation of revelation. John 17:3 says: This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

It is hard to see someone who has been a Christian for most of their lives who still only knows a small amount of theology. From a woman’s vantage point, I would love to see women more focused on a serious commitment to Bible studies that teach theology. While it is good to feed ourselves with books on practical Christian living, knowing biblical theology is practical to every facet of our lives—as well as helpful for coming alongside and ministering to others in this life. Books that teach us how to be better wives, mothers, and more hospitable, are wonderful. I also enjoy some women’s magazines along with cooking magazines as much as the next person. I have friends who have passions for animals, passions for creating welcoming spaces that are inviting and can transform a space into a place of enchantment for celebratory group gatherings. I have personally always had a passion for fashion, home decorating, and gardening. I would view these as vain pursuits if these were my only passions in life. But I have no problem doing what I love to do when my priority is getting to know my God. These things can only add enjoyment to my main pursuit. Why? I was not made to be a fashion or interior decorating guru. I was not saved in order that I would become a better cook. If that were the case, I am telling you I would be in a bad state. I was created and saved to know God first and foremost.

If our theology is not shaped by the Word of God, it is shaped by the world. You have ideas about God, but how do you know if they are right or wrong ideas?

People say, “I could never have gotten through this or that without so and so.” What happens if you are in a situation with no one to help you through it? A believer can get through any trial if she knows God.

People say there are two things we should not talk about: politics and religion. But guess what? There is a generation coming behind my generation who do not subscribe to that “rule”. They are talking! In fact, they will not shut up! Those who have been raised inside the church are looking at their world from adult eyes, trying to make their own judgments, talking politics, and questioning how what they’ve been taught inside the church stands up to their political views. If we, (as parents—mothers included), do not have a strong theology to discern error from truth and are not able to point them to the truth, then in their minds, we have proved their point. They want answers that will hold them in this unsettling world. Those who have not grown up in the church, having no biblically sound theology, have worldly political views. For the most part, these are the ones influencing the minds of the next generation. There has never been a more urgent time for all Christians to gain a right theology. In speaking of the coming day of the Lord, Peter reminds his readers: You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:17-18) How relevant is this right now? Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. A right theology keeps us humble. We do not know everything, but we can know the One who does!

We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (See Matthew 22:37.) This is the greatest command of all of Scripture. How do you do that if you do not know who He is?

I want to leave you with some quotes we often hear today that are supposed to represent truth or  come directly from Scripture. I would love for anyone who reads this post to submit any other widely held saying that comes from a wrong theology. Or, in a brief comment, tell me why any one of these comments is not true from a biblical perspective.

God will not give you more than you can handle.

Once saved, always saved.

To thine ownself be true.

God helps those who help themselves.

Money is the root of all evil.

This too shall pass.

Moderation in all things.

The devil made me do it!

The temptation was too strong. I couldn’t resist!

We are all God’s children.

God does not have favorites.

GO!