Theology - An Introduction

What is Theology?

Introduction

  • Theology can be helpful in normal life.

  • Theology can alleviate concerns and provide clarity.

Breaking Down the Word

  • Theology comes from two Greek words:

    • Theos: θϵoς\theta \epsilon o \varsigma, meaning God.

    • Logos: λoγoς\lambda o \gamma o \varsigma, meaning word.

  • Theology is words about God.

Definition of Theology

  • Theology is the study of beliefs about God.

  • It examines what God has revealed.

  • Theology studies what Christians believe about God and who God is.

Why Study Theology?

  • The Bible itself offers reasons for studying theology.

  • Matthew 18:2-5: Jesus calls a little child and says to them, Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

    • Children ask big questions and have insatiable curiosity.

    • Childlike faith isn't afraid to ask questions; God isn't afraid of our questions or doubts.

Doubting Thomas

  • John 20: The story of Doubting Thomas.

  • Thomas, one of the disciples, wasn't present when Jesus first appeared to the others after the resurrection.

  • Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."

  • Eight days later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was present.

  • Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds.

  • Thomas exclaimed, "My master, my God!"

  • Jesus responded, "So you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

  • Thomas wanted a reason to believe and needed more than others' words.

  • Many are called to believe without seeing, and Thomas's account provides assurance.

  • Some of some of the things we'll be looking at throughout this class is the role that reason plays in theology, the role of using our minds and analyzing the evidence that God has given us in order to understand what theology is.

Loving God with Our Mind

  • We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

  • God gave us incredible minds and expects us to use them to know and love Him more.

How We Do Theology

  • Theology involves using all mental faculties, including our hearts and strength.

  • Theology is an academic discipline requiring careful, logical, and reasonable thinking.

  • We use our brains to understand what God has revealed.

Conclusion

  • Theology is about using our minds to understand what God has revealed to us.

  • The ultimate goal is to know how to love God more and better with our heart and with our strength.