Too frequently I’ve heard Christians say things like, “I’m not a theologian,” or “maybe we should leave theology to the theologians.” Every time I hear it, I nearly blow my top.
Why does it bother me so much? Because it’s just not true.
One of the most dangerous lies we can ever believe is the one telling us “we’re not theologians” or “theology isn’t important.”
I’m not alone in feeling this way. I really appreciate the way R.C. Sproul voices his frustration about this in Knowing Scripture. There, he writes:
Countless times I have heard Christians say, “Why do I need to study doctrine or theology when all I need to know is Jesus?” My immediate reply is, “Who is Jesus?” As soon as we begin to answer this question, we are involved in doctrine and theology. No Christian can avoid theology. Every Christian is a theologian. Perhaps not a theologian in the technical or professional sense, but a theologian nevertheless. The issue for Christians is not whether we are going to be theologians but whether we are going to be good theologians. A good theologian is one who is instructed by God. (Kindle location 287)
You don’t have to be formally educated, but make no mistake, Christian: you are a theologian whether you want to admit it or not. Now act like one.
