Why Study Theology?

Dr. Robert Fugate

Dr. Robert Fugate Why Study Theology Copyright 2009, 2001 Dr. Robert Fugate All Rights Reserved. Published By Biblical Blueprints 13110 Birch Dr STE 148 #370 Omaha, NE 68164-4160 (402) 934-4619 www.biblicalblueprints.org Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Published by Thomas Nelson. 1994, 1982, 1980, 1979 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission.

Why Study Theology

Dr. Robert Fugate

Biblical Blueprints Omaha, NE

Contents:
Introduction ...................................................................................1 Theology is the Most Important Subject in the Universe .......2 Theology is the Foundation for Every Aspect of Life and Study ............................................................................................3 Theology Unites Christians in the Truth ...................................4 Theology Protects Christians From Pernicious Errors...........5 The Study of Theology is Necessary to Obey Scripture ..........7 The Church is the Depository and Guardian of the Truth.....8 Everyone is a Theologian .............................................................9 Be Faithful Soldiers of Christ....................................................10

Introduction 1

Introduction
It is not uncommon today for people to question the importance of studying theology. Some Christians affirm that they just want to hear practical sermons, not sermons that teach theology. (Dont they realize that Biblical ethicsthe practicalare derived from Biblical theology?) Others assert that theology divides, so they conclude that all theology is detrimental. Because of such attitudes, reputed authorities on church growth warn pastors to avoid teaching doctrine. Yet, we must ask, is this a Biblical approach? Are there reasons why we should study theology? I would suggest several reasons why it is imperative for Christians to study orthodox, Christian theology.

2 Why Study Theology

Theology is the Most Important Subject in the Universe

Theology is the study of the personal, triune Godhis nature and his purposes, which he reveals through his words and his deeds. One attribute of this sovereign, unchanging God is truth. Because God is truth, his Word is truth (Jn 17:17). Since Gods Word is truth, it functions as the ultimate standard of truth, the reference point by which every other claim to truthfulness is to be measured. God tells us that his written Word is profitable for doctrine (2Tim 3:16). All of these facts inform us that the study of orthodox theology or Biblical doctrine is the most important field that we could ever study! The study of Biblical doctrine is usually referred to as systematic theology. In using the term systematic theology we indicate that there is a comprehensive, unified statement of what Scripture as a whole teaches about God.

Theology is the Foundation for Every Aspect of Life and Study 3

Theology is the Foundation for Every Aspect of Life and Study

Systematic theology is necessary if men are to think intelligently and logically about anything. Without the concept of systematic theology and the God it sets forth, we cannot hold to a rational and understandable universe, nor to any meaningful order therein. There is no other God, no other truth, nor other possibility, system, or meaning outside of him. God as Creator, Providential Ruler, and Redeemer is the necessary cause, connection, will, power, and action between and in all things. Anything short of that is not theology but anthropology. Thus orthodox Christian theology provides the foundation for every other field of study. Apart from Biblical doctrine one can never properly understand the role of church, state, school, family, the arts and sciences, the vocations, or anything else.

4 Why Study Theology

Theology Unites Christians in the Truth

True fellowship with God (who is truth) and with Gods people requires truth. The unity of the Spirit can only be enjoyed where there is the unity of the faith (Eph 4:36, 13 15), for light can have no fellowship with darkness (2Cor 6:14 16). Anyone preaching unity, while setting aside apostolic doctrine (as infallibly recorded in Scripture) is to be opposed (Acts 15:1f, 23f; 1Cor 14:3638; 2Cor 13:2f; Gal 1:8f; 1Th 4:8; 2Th 3:6, 14; Tit 2:15; 1Jn 2:18; 2 Jn 911; Rev 22:18f). Systematic theology makes a believer more epistemologically self-conscious1 by rooting out the inconsistencies of smorgasbord religion. There is no place for epistemological, theological, or ethical pluralism in Christian thinking. God is the source of truth.

To be epistemologically self-conscious a person must deliberately choose doctrines, other beliefs, ethics, etc. that are consistent with each another and with the persons theory of knowledge (i.e., epistemology).

Theology Protects Christians From Pernicious Errors 5

Theology Protects Christians From Pernicious Errors

Gods Word separates truth from error, teaching sound doctrine (1Tim 1:10; 4:6; 6:3; 2Tim 1:13; 4:3; Tit 1:9; 2:1, 10), while warning against false doctrine (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:69; 1Tim 1:3; 4:1; 6:3). Thus there is a sense in which doctrine is supposed to divide. God himself has decreed a perpetual antithesis between his kingdom and the kingdom of Satan, between truth and error (Gn 3:15; Mt 25:41). Christ caused divisions (Mt 10:34; Lk 12:51; Jn 7:12, 43; 9:16; 10:19)even through his teaching (Jn 6:6166; 10:1921). Biblically sound systematic theology continues working to uproot all alien presuppositions, and to protect against pagan philosophies (Col 2:8). Some doctrinal errors are so serious that God calls them destructive heresies (2Pt 2:1) and doctrines of demons (1Tim 4:1). But apart from an understanding of doctrine, how can one know what constitutes heresy, and which heresies are particularly destructive (damnableKJV)? Scriptures tells us that God speaks a curse on anyone preaching any other gospel (Gal 1:8f). Examples could include: a gospel of salvation by grace + works (e.g., Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, etc.); a psychological gospel; a gospel of socialism (e.g., Liberation Theology); a gospel of uninterrupted health and wealth; a gospel of a finite god (e.g., process theology, the open view of God); etc. Some people object that doctrine is relatively unimportant; it is passion for Jesus that is primary. However, the choice between passion for Jesus and orthodox Christian doctrine is a false dilemma. The only option is both/and, not either/or. Without orthodox Christian doctrine, you cannot know whether the Jesus that other people are passionate about is the same Jesus that you are passionate about. Numerous cults and religions have their own Jesus: the Jehovahs Witnesses Jesus, the Mormons Jesus, the Liberals Jesus, the Unitarians Jesus, the new age

6 Why Study Theology

Jesus, the Jews Jesus, the Muslims Jesus, the Unitys Jesus, the Christian counselors Jesus, etc. The situation was no different in the early church with the Ebionite Jesus, the Docetic Jesus, the Arian Jesus, the Appollinarian Jesus, the Nestorian Jesus, the Eutychian Jesus, etc. And most of these groups were passionate about their Jesus! Furthermore, without orthodox Christian doctrine, you cannot even know whether the Jesus that you are passionate for is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man who sits at the right hand of God the Father, i.e., the Jesus of the Bible! Thus it is not a matter of choosing between passion for Jesus and orthodox Christian doctrine. The Apostle Paul is a good example of how the two must be blended. The Church throughout all ages has found the study of theology to be indispensable. It is usually heretics who most stringently oppose the study of historic, orthodox Christian theology. Of course, heretics themselves are not devoid of theology.

The Study of Theology is Necessary to Obey Scripture 7

The Study of Theology is Necessary to Obey Scripture

Christians need to learn Biblical doctrine in order to fully obey the Lord. For example, Scripture commands us: to love the Lord our God with all of our mind (Mt 22:37; Dt 6:5); to stop thinking as the world thinks (Ro 12:2); to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2Cor 10:5), that Christ may have preeminence in everything (Col 1:18). In other words, we must (on a creaturely level) think Gods thoughts after him. To think Gods thoughts after him, we must systematize Gods written Word, applying it to all areas of life. In short, we must develop a comprehensive, Christian world-view through which we can interpret all of lifeincluding business, economics, the role of civil government, marriage and family, education, science, art, music, recreation, etc.from Gods perspective. To settle for anything less than a full-orbed, Christian world-view is a denial of Christs sovereignty or lordship over all areas of life, and a denial that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge can only be found in him (Col 2:3). Furthermore, any lesser goal robs God of the glory due his name. Clearly, to be able to apply the Bible to every area of life and culture will require studying Biblical doctrine. Obeying the straightforward Biblical commands, such as, Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), necessitates the study of theology. How else can one know what constitutes the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints? The same could be said of many other verses. Christians are to continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42; 2Tim 3:10)but what is the apostles doctrine? Christ warned the disciples to beware of the corrupting effects of bad doctrine (Mt 16:12; cf. Col 2:2023; Heb 13:9)what constitutes bad doctrine?

8 Why Study Theology

The Church is the Depository and Guardian of the Truth

Scripture refers to the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) as a deposit of truth that was entrusted to Christs Church (1Tim 1:18; 6:20; 2Tim 1:14; 2:2; cf. Ro 3:2; 1Cor 9:17; Gal 2:7; 1Th 2:4; 1Tim 1:11, Tit 1:3). God holds the Church responsible to guard and to hold firmly to this deposit of doctrinal truth (Ac 16:4; 1Cor 11:2; 15:1; 2Th 2:15; 1Tim 6:20; 2Tim 1:14). To say this is to say that Christianity involves God-revealed truth or doctrine. No true doctrine, no true Christianity! To depart from sound doctrine is to apostatize from the truth, i.e., the Christian faith (2Tim 4:3f). Church leaders must give attention to sound doctrine (1Tim 4:13, 16; Tit 2:1, 7), teaching no other doctrine (1Tim 1:3; Tit 1:9), for man-made doctrines produce vain worship (Mt 15:9 // Mk 7:7). Those elders who labor hard in the word and doctrine are to receive greater pay (1Tim 5:17f). The Church is commanded to avoid and to excommunicate those who reject sound doctrine (Ro 16:17; 1Tim 6:35; 2 Th 3:6, 14; 2 Jn 9f; Rev 2:14f, 24). Clearly, believing and obeying Biblical doctrine is very important to the Lord.

Everyone is a Theologian 9

Everyone is a Theologian
Where Biblically sound systematic theology is absent, a vacuum does not remain; unbiblical theology replaces it. Systematic theology cannot be avoided. It is never a question of theology or no theology; it is always a question of what theologyBiblical theology or unbiblical theology. Theology is an inescapable concept! Everyone has a theology (whether good or bad, consistent or inconsistent). Everyone is a theologian (whether amateur or professional). To summarize, studying orthodox Christian theology can help you to: Know and understand God and his purposes better, to obey and glorify him more fully; Build a Christian world-view through which you can properly interpret all aspects of life and culture, learning to think Gods thoughts after him; Guard the Christian faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, remaining united with the true church of all ages; and Be protected from false prophets, false teachers, and various forms of satanic deception.

10 Why Study Theology

Be Faithful Soldiers of Christ

The church in America is being torn apart by heresies and unbiblical ethics. The inerrancy of Scripture is considered to be a non-essential doctrine by many Evangelical scholars today. In the minds of many, science speaks the authoritative word, so they believe in theistic evolution rather than six-day creation. Anti-trinitarian errors are spreading, as are pantheistic nature worship, panentheism2, finite godism, Eastern religions, and other forms of mysticism. Self-contradictory pagan psychologies have replaced Biblical counseling in many quarters of Evangelicalism. Objective truth is being exchanged for subjectivism, relativism, and postmodernism. Feminism has infected families, church, and state. Sodomy has come out of the closet and pedophilia is on the horizonwhile much of the Evangelical church preaches a gospel of love and grace that is devoid of Gods holy law. The state is more and more attempting to take over the role of God himselfwhile pietistic seminary professors, pastors, and conservative politicians see no Biblical blueprints for society, or relevance for Biblical law; they direct us to look to nature and natural law (mans reason)not to the Biblefor answers to societys ills. More than any other time in American history, this is a day when Gods people need to be equipped with the glorious truths of Gods Word, that they might enter the battle and having done all to stand victorious (Eph 6:1013). Gods truth is marching on, and it will be victorious! But the question is, Will you be faithful in the battle? The charge of that uncompromising Reformer, Martin Luther, still rings out today:

Panentheism (from Greek (pn) all; (en) in; and (thes) God; all-in-God) is a belief system which posits that God exists and interpenetrates every part of nature, and timelessly extends beyond as well. Panentheism is distinguished from pantheism, which holds that God is synonymous with the material universe. (The Worldview of Panentheism - R. Totten, M.Div - 2000. Web page. Retrieved on 14 October 2007.)

Be Faithful Soldiers of Christ 11

If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point. Luther, Calvin, Knox, Edwards, Whitefield, and other heroes of the faith conquered kingdoms by preaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) in the power of the Spirit. They knew the doctrines of Scripture and they applied them to the issues of their day. By Gods grace, we can do the same today; but this will only happen if we diligently study Gods Word (Biblical doctrine) so we will be handling accurately the word of truth (2Tim 2:15). This is why we need to study theology!

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Why Study Theology

Dr. Robert Fugate hroughout is not uncommon today for people to question the importance of studying theology. Despite the objections, the author herein offers several reasons why it is imperative for Christians to study orthodox Christian doctrine and thereby present himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2.15)

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