Do you ever find yourself humming along to Sam Cooke’s classic tune, “Don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology…” and think, “I could add a few more lines to that”? If a lot of Christians were honest, their version might go something like this:
“Don’t know much about theology, don’t know much ecclesiology, don’t know much eschatology, ‘cause I thought it was all about me.”
Sound familiar?
In today’s world, it’s easy to have a faith that’s a mile wide but only an inch deep. We go to church, pray when we remember, maybe even crack open our Bibles every now and then. But do we really understand what we believe? Do we truly know who God is, beyond just the Sunday School answers?
That’s where theology comes in. And before you check out, thinking, “That’s just for pastors and Bible scholars.” hear me out—everyone is a theologian. We all have beliefs about God; the question is, are those beliefs actually true?
Theology isn’t about filling our heads with facts. It’s about knowing God—deeply, personally, and in a way that shapes our lives. A.W. Tozer put it this way: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
So why should we care about diving deeper into theology? Here are a few key reasons:
1. To Know God Better
The more we understand about God’s nature and character, the more we can truly worship Him. It’s the difference between admiring a stranger from a distance and truly knowing a close friend. Depth matters.
2. To Avoid Being Misled
We live in a world full of spiritual counterfeits. A solid theological foundation helps us discern truth from lies. Colossians 2:8 warns us: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.”
3. To Stand Strong in Our Faith
We all face doubts. But when we’re rooted in sound theology, we have a firm foundation when the storms of life hit. 2 Timothy 1:12 reminds us: “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
4. To Share Our Faith with Confidence
If we don’t know what we believe—or why we believe it—how can we explain it to others? 1 Peter 3:15 challenges us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
So how do we actually grow in our theological understanding? It’s not about enrolling in seminary or memorizing a big textbook. Instead, try these simple steps:
• Pray for Understanding – Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth. “The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).
• Handle Scripture with Care – Study the Bible, and learn to use the right methods to get to the right answers. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
• Learn in Community – Faith isn’t meant to be a solo journey. Join a Connection Group, find a mentor, and talk about what you’re learning.
• Keep the Right Perspective – The goal isn’t to win debates or impress people—it’s to know and love God more.
• Let Theology Transform Your Worldview – A right understanding of God doesn’t just inform; it changes how we see everything.
C.S. Lewis said it best: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.”
Growing in theology isn’t always easy—it takes time, effort, and a willingness to wrestle with deep truths. But the reward? A faith that’s not just surface-level, but rich, strong, and able to withstand life’s storms.
Imagine standing before a breathtaking mountain range—but your vision is blurry. Without a solid theological foundation, life can feel just as unclear. But when we grow in our knowledge of God, it’s like putting on glasses that bring everything into focus. Suddenly, we see His beauty, His design, and His purpose more clearly.
So let’s not settle for a shallow faith. Let’s go deeper. Let’s press into the truth of who God is and let it transform our hearts, our minds, and our lives. As Jeremiah 9:24 says:
“Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.”
Are you ready to take that step? Open your Bible, engage your mind, and prepare your heart. The adventure of knowing God more deeply is waiting for you!