Midweek Message from the Archive
Theology at its Best
Last year, after five days of watching our young grandchildren, I came to realize the value, again, of young mothers. For one thing, they have the energy to do it! For another thing, they have the opportunity to teach theology every day. Theology is the study of God: plain and simple. People have funny reactions when you mention theology. It sounds high-minded to them, hard to understand, or only for pastors and seminaries. The truth is that we teach theology every day if we choose to. No, we probably won’t go to seminary, but God is understandable in many ways. Yes, He wants us to know Him personally, in a relational way but He also wants us to know about Him.
When one of my daughters puts the kids to bed she sings Jesus Loves Me to them (and she dare not try to sing anything else!). She’s teaching theology:
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
That is good doctrine. God will love them forever, they belong to Him, we are weak people but He is powerful. The Bible reassures them of those truths. My other daughter prays the Aaronic Blessing over my grandkids every night:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)
God has blessed them, He is watching over them, and He brings them peace with His presence. That’s good theology.
I think we underestimate the value of looking at the sky and telling our kids, grandkids, neighbor-kids, or friends that God created the warm sunshine, the snow or rain, and the glowing moon. They come from His almighty Hand for our benefit. That’s teaching theology for He is the Creator. When we remind them that Jesus died for us and rose again, that’s teaching theology. He is our Redeemer. During a scary time, like a storm or fireworks, we remind them that God is in control and He cares for us. He is our Protector. I think you get the picture. So this week, if He gives you the opportunity, share your theology. The study of God is not above you it’s in your heart and with every experience you go through you are learning to understand Him.
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3-5 NLT)
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