Everyone’s A Theologian

I never thought of myself as a theologian. That title was reserved for men in seminary reading dry, boring, scholarly books that were as thick as a loaf of bread. However, when the Lord called me to the abortion ministry, there was this drive in me to really dig into various theological issues, especially as I stood and fought for the lives of the unborn week after week for over a decade of my life, I realized that I really needed a strong theological stance as I encountered many conversations, some good, and most bad, as I defended the baby in the womb.

As women, moms, grandmothers, we may feel studying theology and doctrine is not for us, that we can just learn those things on a Sunday morning as our pastor preaches, but can I encourage you that it is not. As my pastor, Dan Sardinas once quoted, “For a Christian to say, "I don't need to know theology because I'm not a pastor." .... is as absurd as saying, "I don't need to eat because I'm not a cook.”

Knowing theology and doctrine affects our lives and as a Christian, we must become theologians and be able to explain and defend our doctrine based on the scriptures alone.

Theology is the “study of God”. The word theology comes from the Greek “theos”=God and “logos”=Word, so it means the word about God or the study of God. What we know and believe about God matters for so many reasons and we must have a firm grasp on this truth. AW Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (1)

Doctrine is a body or system of teachings, instructions, or principles. Doctrine comes from the Latin word “doctrina” meaning teaching or instruction. 2 Tim 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Doctrine is basically the framework of your beliefs and defines or applies your theology.

So as women, we must have a strong theological understanding as that will drive our doctrine and these we apply to our everyday life in the roles God has us in right now.

As a mom of young children this is important because what you are teaching your children about God matters as they grow and mature. The endless questions from our children can be platforms for instilling the study of God and then apply that doctrine to them to always point them to God as their Father, Creator, Savior.

As a grandmother I have been given the immense blessing of having another chance to instill sound biblical theology and doctrine into these grandchildren. Living this out in our daily lives, the theology of a sovereign God will be seen in our doctrine as we live in faith and trust even in the hard times of an aging body, empty nest heartaches, wayward adult children and death of our loved ones.

As a member of a church, we should be able and willing to counsel other women from the scriptures, to show them from proper theology and doctrine how they can overcome trials and temptations, and various heart aches. (Titus 3)

I would encourage my sisters to take on the study of theology and doctrine. Can you easily articulate the Person of Christ? The Holy Spirit? The Church?

In this generation of the internet, it is very convenient to find solid commentaries and Bible apps that help us to study these theological issues and doctrines. Because, the fact of the matter is, we are already theologians! Grab some friends and seek to study a theological truth about God or Christ and go deeper in your study so that you can not only articulate it well, but let this truth transform your very life. Become like the Bereans and students of the Word and glorify God as we stand on Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria!

Quoting pastor Dan Sardinas again, “Preaching information doesn’t necessarily lead to transformation.  That information must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit and exhortation for the hearer to obey.”

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

1. The Knowledge of the Holy, AW Tozer