What is theology all about? Why study theology? Is it necessary?

I've never came to a realization that the study of theology has great importance in every Christian individual. Perhaps many of us will have a mindset that it is sufficient enough just by having faith, attending church regularly, reading the Bible etc. Yes, all these are still very necessary. However, we have to know why we believe in what we believe and why we do what we do.

When the word "theology" is mentioned in almost any gathering of Christian believers, we will get a variety of reactions, some quite negative. Many Christians seem to confess their ignorance over this subject and many would not want to be seen as "theologians." However, do you know that every Christian is a theologian? Bruce Milne says "Every Christian is a theologian." This is because theology is the study or science of God. This science of God means finding the accurate definition of who God is. Each of us knows at least something about God, therefore, we are already some sort of a theologian!

It is important to know and teach the correct doctrines in a world full of different beliefs, philosophies and doctrines. Correct doctrine leads to correct practice. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:14-15 that "...we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

Therefore, the study of theology is necessary in the life of every believer.

Who Is God?

Everyone has a different perspective of who God really is. Even so, how do we really know that those perspectives are really who God is?

In general, God is defined as an eternally existant being that exists apart from space and time. This can be understood by, there is a God before anything was formed from nothing and this same God is eternal. Think about it, for something to exist someone has to create it. Which means, there must be Someone who created something out of nothing in the beginning of time.

The Bible states in John 1:1-3 that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made" Before the world began, there was God. And this God created the heavens and and the earth in the beginning (Genesis 1:1) For God to be able to create everything out of nothing, God must be an all-knowing (omniscience), all-powerful (omnipotence) and all-present (omnipresence) God.

God is also a holy and perfect God. God saw that everything was very good and perfect in His eyes (Genesis 1:31). He has created man in His perfect image so that we can have that everlasting fellowship with Him. However, man sinned and bore the consequences of sin. Just as darkness cannot exists in the presence of light. Sin cannot exists in the presence of a holy God (1 John 1:5). Thus, sin has seperated us from God.

On the other hand, the Bible also says that Jesus Christ is God in John 1:14 that "The Word (which was God) became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Someone perfect has to come to redeem us from our sins so that the original purpose of having a relationship with God can be restored. So who else if it was not God Himself who's holy and perfect (which is also Jesus Christ according to John 1:14) that is able to die for our sins to bring us back to God?