What I Got Wrong about Theology

Have you ever felt that Christians are more concerned about right and wrong beliefs then they are about being one with Christ?

I used to think the problem was that we focused too much on theology. All the different terms—soteriology, ecclesiology, eschatology, Calvinism, Arminianism, and so on. Most of them made no sense to me and I couldn’t figure out why people spent so much time debating over which ones were right.

Then, I would look around and see people who were lonely, struggling with depression, not sure if God even exists, and it didn’t seem like anyone cared about their struggles. It seemed to me that we were so focused on getting our beliefs just right, and making sure our lifestyles were as they should be, that we missed the heart of God.

Our faith seemed shallow. Even fake.

So, I said once that we as Anabaptists focus too much on theology and not enough on relationships. Having said that, I’ve pondered it a lot and have concluded I was wrong.

We don’t teach enough on Theology. The problem is bad theology. A theology framed by our doctrines instead of doctrines birthed from theology.

Theology is literally, “the study of God.” Theo indicates “God,” and ology means “the study of.”

Here’s the thing, God is intensely relational.

When we focus on right or wrong beliefs but fail in our relationships, we have misunderstood God because of poor theology.

I believe what we over-emphasize is doctrine, not theology. Doctrine has more to do with principles derived from Scripture. They allow us to explain concisely what we believe.

The problem is when we develop our doctrines based on a lifestyle we wish to emulate. That’s what I believe has happened in traditional Anabaptist churches. We want certain outcomes, and so we cling to specific doctrines. Doctrines that can be backed-up in Scripture, no doubt. But the Scripture was found to support the doctrine, instead of doctrine coming purely from what we have studied and know of God.

I once heard a speaker say that the church is going to lose the next generation because of poor theology.

I believe he’s right. He was not saying we don’t teach enough about modesty or family or non-resistance. He was saying we don’t teach enough about God, about His design and plan for redemption.

In my experience, when we do teach about God, it is based on what we want to see happen around us. Teaching God in that way is like walking on thin ice.

However, the ice has cracked. It did long ago.

People are seeing through the hollow foundation. And what is most dangerous is that when people discover they’ve been duped into something that isn’t taught in Scripture, they reject even the scriptures used to teach it.

They reject the very thing that shows how the doctrine was wrong. They reject the very thing that will show more of God and how He intends things to be.

Few of our sermons deal with theology. Few explain the Gospel. Worse yet, few people even care about theology or relationship with Christ. Most care more about getting the lifestyle just right and making sure their families live the same way.

When we don’t care about theology, about what God is doing and his plan for the world, for people, we lose sight of the Person of our faith. We miss out on deep relationship with God.

So, in short, here’s what I got wrong about theology:

1. Some of my conclusions about God, faith, and church have been founded on bad theology
2. We don’t focus on theology too much; we focus on it too little
3. Lack of good theology has led to wrong (or misplaced) doctrines
4. Without theology, without good study of God, I miss out on the most fulfilling, most satisfying and life-changing relationship of all: a relationship with my Creator and perfect Heavenly Father

Do you feel that you have been taught how to have a deep relationship with Christ, or how to behave so Christ approves of you? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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