Have you ever found yourself picking and choosing which parts of faith to embrace, like selecting items from a cafeteria line? It’s a common tendency, but one that can lead us astray from truly knowing God in His fullness.
Imagine faith as a spiritual buffet. We might eagerly pile our plates with the “roast beef” of comforting verses and the “fried chicken” of uplifting promises. But what about the “liver and onions” – those challenging, sometimes bitter truths that are equally part of God’s word? Too often, we skip past these, heading straight for the dessert section – the “banana pudding” of feel-good theology that gives us all the warm fuzzies without much substance.
This “Piccadilly theology” – named after the beloved Southern cafeteria chain – might taste great, but it won’t sustain us through life’s trials. What we truly need is the full tray of who God is – entrees, sides, vegetables, and yes, even dessert. We need it all to fully know and appreciate the nature and character of our Creator.
But how do we move beyond this surface-level understanding? The key lies in embracing theology – not as a dry, academic exercise, but as a vibrant exploration of God’s nature. Theology, simply put, is the study of God’s character. It’s about systematically examining Scripture to build a comprehensive picture of who God is and how He relates to us.
As we delve into theology, it’s crucial to remember a guiding principle: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” This means we stand firm on the core doctrines of our faith while allowing room for differing opinions on less crucial matters. Above all, we approach every theological discussion with love and grace.
Consider the major doctrines – the essentials of our faith. These include beliefs about scripture, salvation, and the Trinity. These are the non-negotiables, the bedrock of Christian belief. On these, we must stand united.
Then there are minor doctrines – important, but not fundamental to salvation. These might include views on the end times or church governance. While we may hold strong opinions on these matters, they shouldn’t divide us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Here, we exercise liberty, recognizing that sincere believers can disagree on these points.
But why does all this matter? Because bad theology can seriously mess us up. It can take our understanding of God and turn it upside down, making it harder – not easier – to truly know Him.
Think about the often-quoted phrase, “It’s all about love.” While God’s love is indeed immeasurable and central to our faith, reducing Him to only love limits our understanding. God is also just, merciful, and yes, even wrathful against sin. By embracing the fullness of God’s character, we gain a richer, more accurate picture of who He is.
Or consider the popular notion that “your breakthrough is coming.” While God certainly works miracles and brings breakthroughs, this idea can lead to disappointment and misplaced blame when things don’t go as we expect. It puts the focus on our desires rather than God’s sovereignty.
Another dangerous theological pitfall is the casual use of “God told me.” While God does speak to us, primarily through His Word and confirmed by wise counsel, claiming direct, unverifiable divine communication can lead to all sorts of problems. It can be used to justify personal desires or even harmful actions, all under the guise of divine authority.
Perhaps one of the most pervasive pieces of bad theology is the idea that “God just wants me to be happy.” This feel-good notion can quickly become a license for sin, justifying choices that go against God’s Word in the name of personal happiness. The truth is, God desires our obedience and holiness more than our temporary happiness. True joy – far deeper than fleeting happiness – comes from aligning our lives with God’s will and ways.
When we fill our minds with these incomplete or false ideas about God, the gap between head knowledge and heart belief grows wider. What started as a challenging 18-inch journey from head to heart can become an insurmountable chasm, making it nearly impossible to truly know and trust God.
So how do we combat bad theology? By diligently studying and embracing sound theology. This doesn’t mean becoming dry academics, but rather passionate seekers of God’s truth. It means diving deep into Scripture, not just cherry-picking verses that make us feel good. It means wrestling with difficult passages and seeking to understand the full counsel of God’s Word.
When we truly know theology – when we grasp the magnificence of God’s character as revealed in Scripture – our worship takes on new depths. We’re no longer praising a caricature of God, but the true, living God in all His complexity and glory. Our conversations about faith become more confident and nuanced. We’re better equipped to answer questions about our beliefs and to lovingly engage with those who hold different views.
Most importantly, knowing theology allows us to know Jesus more intimately. It’s not about accumulating facts, but about developing a relationship with the Living Word. As we grow in our understanding of God’s nature, we can also invite Him to transform us, praying, “God, show me the parts of me that don’t look like you. Help me, Lord, to look less like me and more like you.”
This journey of theological discovery isn’t always easy. It requires effort, humility, and a willingness to have our preconceptions challenged. But the rewards are immeasurable. As we come to know God more fully, we find ourselves worshiping with abandon, not because it earns us points or because God needs our praise, but because we can’t help but respond to the awesome reality of who He is.
So let’s move beyond “banana pudding theology.” Let’s embrace the full feast of God’s Word, savoring every morsel of truth it offers. As we do, we’ll find ourselves growing into mature believers, little Christs who truly reflect the character of the One we follow. For how can we be followers of Jesus if we don’t truly know who we’re following? How can we worship Him if we don’t understand who we’re worshiping?
The invitation is clear: Know theology. Know God. And in knowing Him, be transformed.