Using Theology to Affect Our Thinking
The goal this morning is to start a two-part series on how theology is useful to affect our thinking. We can use theology to change the way we think about circumstances of life, about sin, about temptation, about current events, about our relationships, how we function in marriage, in singleness, or in the workplace. As we change the way we think, we change the way we act, behaving as Christians consistent with our theology.
This message goes against easy believism—the idea that it's easy to believe, that salvation requires nothing from you, just attending and professing faith without regular activity commanded in Scripture, especially Christian education in theology.
Three Common Questions
Three questions might arise when hearing "use theology to affect our thinking," calling for diligence in studying God's Word and growing in knowledge:
- Doesn't knowledge puff up, but love edifies? Why not focus on love?
- I'm not a theologian, just an average Christian. Shouldn't I leave theology to professors and seminary students?
- Aren't you talking about intellectualism? Isn't Christianity a relationship about the heart, not what you know?
We will answer these as we go.
What Is Theology?
Theology comes from two Greek words: theos (God) and logos (words or messages about God). Literally, it means words or messages about God. Typically, it's the study of God, the science of God.
More specifically, from a biblical perspective, theology is anything known about God—revelations in the Word about who God is, what God is, what God has done, or what God does. Theology is knowing something about God that changes the way we live our lives.
There's a difference between this biblical theology and systematic theology, which organizes principles for accessibility. You get the same principles from reading the Bible alone. We're focusing on biblical theology: diving into Scripture to know God, using that knowledge to change how we live.
Example: Trinitarianism and Marriage
Consider a wife's submission to her husband, a difficult principle under fire since the fall. How does theology of God as Trinity affect this?
Trinitarianism: one God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—not three gods, each fully God and fully personal.
The Son, equal in nature to the Father, willingly submits to the Father—not under compulsion, but following directives focused on the gospel and God's will. Wives, you represent Christ in marriage by willingly submitting to your husband without compromising your nature.
1. The Believer's Salvation Is Theological
How you became a Christian is theological. Salvation is the biblical doctrine of eternal life: we're all sinful, deserving God's wrath, justly condemned to hell eternally. Yet through faith in Christ—real, active faith producing repentance and obedience to His Word—we receive eternal life.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Eternal life is knowing God—the Father, the Son sent for salvation, enabled by the Spirit's regeneration. If you're a Christian, you are a theologian.
Two principles birthed this study: Pastor Sean's refutation of "so heavenly-minded you're no earthly good," emphasizing transcendent knowledge of God; and Pastor Tim's teaching on Romans 8:5-8, the mindset set on the flesh (hostile to God) versus set on the Spirit (life and peace).
Biblical peace is being so satisfied with God you're content in every circumstance. Minds set on theology experience life and peace.
2. The Believer's Success Is Theological
Not a "theological get rich quick scheme," but something more valuable.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Meditate day and night—keep the law on your mind so frequently it doesn't depart your mouth. Christians speak God's law, exposing sin, pointing to Christ as schoolmaster.
Danger: you'll see yourself as a sinner needing grace. But the result is doing what's written, prospering in God's purpose (Hebrew salach)—not material gain, but God's will accomplished in singleness, marriage, work.
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Success means insight giving advantage. Theology united with the Spirit's power equips for success in parenting, marriage—renewing the mind to put off the old self, put on the new.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Present bodies continually as living sacrifice. Transform by renewing your mind with theology to react righteously, discern God's will, make theological decisions—not conforming to the world, but speaking biblically in marriage, work, voting, grief (1 Thessalonians 4).
3. The Believer's Satisfaction Is Theological
Contentment with God through circumstances, avoiding burnout in ministry, marriage, parenting comes from theology.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Meditating on what God has done creates thirst for God, satisfaction like water to the dehydrated.
Answering the Questions
Doesn't knowledge puff up, but love edifies? 1 Corinthians 8:1 refers to knowledge of liberty puffing up. Knowledge of God humbles (Isaiah 66:1-2; Job 38). Knowledge of God with love does not puff up.
I'm not a theologian. There's sophisticated theology and basic theology. Every Christian is a theologian, at any stage.
Intellectualism? Bible knows no heart-mind split. Treasuring God's Word in heart prevents sin (Psalm 119:11). Theology with affection is loving God—eternal life.
