Imperishable Inheritance

Many Christians are hardened to the study of theology for several reasons:

1. They feel theology separates the Christian into a 'head-filled' relationship with God.
2. They feel theology is divisive and un-edifying.
3. They feel theology is extra-biblical.
4. They don't want to believe that something they've believe their entire lives could be wrong.
5. They want to retain their emotional view of the Bible.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:35-40 (emphasis added)

Theology is simple the study of God ('ology' means ‘study of' 'theos' God). Let's look at the other major branches of theological thought:

• Christology: the study of Jesus Christ.
• Ecclesiology: the study of the church.
• Eschatology: the study of the end times.
• Theology Proper: the study of God's attributes.
• Bibliology: the study of the Bible.

No reasonable and sincere Christian would doubt that these doctrines are important. In fact, we are commanded by Scripture to be steadfast in our doctrine.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Ephesians 4:11-14

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:8-10

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.
Hebrews 6:1-3

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
1 Peter 3:14-16

Jesus Himself even stood as a pillar of theology and apologetics (Matthew 6:5, 11:20-24, 15:1-9, 16:1-4, 23:13-38; Mark 7:1-13, 8:31-33; Luke 9:37-56, 11:39-54); He was a master of Jewish law (Matthew 12:25, Luke 10:26, 24:44, John 7:19, 8:17, 10:37, 15:25). Jesus was the most inquisitive theological mind in all of history.

And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Luke 2:43-47

Theology must become practical; if it does not then it is worthless. Theology should be an edifying experience to which we feel that studying of God, doesn't deviate from our 'heart-felt' relationship with God, but only adds a new dimension. We must remember that studying theology must always remain systematic (the Bible on a whole) and must always be interpreted exegetically (critical interpretation). We must know that basing our view of the Bible on feelings and emotions is not the way to look at it (eisegetical interpretation).

Christians often fail to realize that they, as well as Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, Jews, and the like all have a theology: 'Theology is simply the study or truth of God.' The problem is that their theologies are incorrect as they are not based on the truth inherent in Christ Jesus through the Bible. We as Christians have let theology slide to points where we now have the cults of Christianity: Jehovas Witnesses, The Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals, and the like.

Most Christians I believe fall into a minor form of Theologicophobia, or the 'fear of theology.' Although this can manifest itself on many levels, it is important to note that theology is what you work on all the time. When you read the Bible, talk with other believers, and even live your life you are actively working on developing your theology.

As a final note: why do so many Christians have "an idolatrous passion for politics, but indifference to God and theology [and evangelism]? Just another example of how "today's Christian culture is destroying Christianity."