 03/9/06 Doxology and Devotion Alison Thomas Faithful theology strives to echo the divine Word with unswerving integrity. It is a logos about the theos, a rational discourse about God, consisting of interrelated yet distinct disciplines. For example, historical theology involves observing how issues of faith were stated in the past while systematic theology relates the traditions convincingly to its present-day setting. Christian ethics examines the implications of faith for conduct while apologetics defends it as truth and wisdom. Due to the vast beauty and intensity of the various disciplines, it is tempting to study theology in order to puff ourselves up with knowledge—to be praised among friends as the one with all the answers. However, as J.I. Packer observes, "[T]heology is for doxology and devotion—that is, the praise of God and the practice of godliness. It should therefore be presented in a way that brings awareness of the divine presence. Theology is at its healthiest when it is consciously under the eye of the God of whom it speaks, and when it is singing to his glory." The knowledge of divine things to which Christians are called is more than a formal acquaintance with technical terms and theoretical ideas. It is realizing the reality and relevance of those activities of the triune God to which Scripture testifies. In the face of God's truth, we are all dull and apathetic. However, the Holy Spirit unveils our minds and attunes our hearts so that our understanding is illuminated. Like "the man without the Spirit" described in 1 Corinthians 2:14, such awareness is natural to none, no matter how familiar with Christian theology they may be. Writes Paul, "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God" (1 Corinthians 1:9-10). Paul's commentary in this petition on pursuing the knowledge of God was practical: we grow in wisdom and understanding in order to live a life worthy of the Lord. The primary purpose of theology is doxology and devotion, and a genuine knowledge of God reveals itself in transformed character. May our personal theological studies inspire us first and foremost to offer praise and fidelity to the God of whom we speak. (1) Packer, J. I., Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs. (Wheaton, Il.: Tyndale House, 1995). To subscribe to this list send an empty email to: slice-html-subscribe@lists.rzim.org To unsubscribe from the list send an empty email to: slice-html-unsubscribe@lists.rzim.org You are subscribed to this list as scott@ourfccb.org For help email: slice@sliceofinfinity.org |