I'm no theologian but...

I'm currently studying for my Systematic Theology exam for tomorrow, and one of the questions asks what is theology? What is the task of the theologian? To what extent is it a doctrinal task? To what extent is it a contextual task? To what extent...

There are literally ten more questions that ask what it is that we do. Asking about our jobs as teachers, preachers, and people of the faith. Asking how we're going to live into the calling. Asking why we're doing what we're doing. Asking are we up to the task.

I've probably heard many people here, and myself included, responding to a difficult question by saying, "I'm no theologian but..." and then spouts off a very theologically sound answer with references to classical theology and modern theology and even biblical references!

Is it not all of our tasks as Christians to be theologians?

John Wimber once said that to be with Jesus is to be in ministry. And I know I might get some pushback from people saying that ministry and theology are two mutually exclusive terms. That being a theologian is a separate vocation than ministry.

Is that true?

Shouldn't theology, the study of God, compel us to be ministers? We don't all have to be preachers and professors, but if we are studying God, then shouldn't God's "Godness" become part of us? Shouldn't studying who, not what, God is motivate us to act like God?

I remember playing basketball in my younger, more athletic days, and my brother and I would watch the Chicago Bulls play. We would emulate and imitate the great Michael Jordan. All kids were doing that back then. They all wanted to be the next Michael Jordan. They all studied how he played, looked at the way he stuck his tongue out when he dunked, how far up his arm band was, and so on. I thought that I was in a better position to be the next Michael Jordan because my name was Michael, but here I am at seminary...

As I study the Scriptures and read about the God revealed in them, I hope that I am becoming more godly. When I read about the love of God, Jesus' sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit's outpouring, I am moved into closer relationship with God. I read the Scriptures because of their beauty, to be sure, but also because they motivate and correct, edify and convict, and showcase the power and might of God over creation. That God would want me, some dude just trying to figure out this whole life, into a covenantal relationship. I think that's pretty cool. That God, in all His holiness and perfections and divinity, would extend His hand towards me.

So I read about this God figure, and I see how awesome God is and what it means to be living in community and covenant. There are aspects of the Bible that are still really strange to me, and I'm sure that there are parts of me that are strange to God...

We've made religion so individualistic and me-centered. We look at what God can do for me. We want to see how relevant God can be to this specific situation. I think that's missing the point, and it's not to say that God does not help in our most dire situations. God intervenes. God helps. Is it whenever we expect God to help? That's the question of the problem of suffering in this world that cannot be answered in this post.

Regardless, when I read about God, I get to see God face-to-face. I get to interact with the Lord. I get to have an encounter with Him. I get to see His love. I get to see His holiness. I get to experience His presence. And then God tells me to feed His sheep (John 21). Then God tells me to not hate my brothers and sisters (1 John 4). To take care of the poor (Proverbs 19). If I study God, if I love God, then I will act like God would have me act, and the task of the theologian and every person who claims to have fellowship with God is to act like God.

This is the grace and the response. God radically welcomes us into communion, and we are radically called as disciples. I'm no theologian, but I think that's a pretty good response.