Why Study Theology

To study theology is to study God. To those who do not believe in God this then becomes a study of an abstract concept,religious studies or literary criticism. To those whoever who believe in an ever living, sovereign creator God who wishes to have a loving relationship with us, theology is much more, it becomes a means to know our God better, and ultimately worship and Glorify him.

Problems of Studying Theology

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[ knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Romans 11:33 - 36

How then do you study God who at our most basic understanding, being the creator of all, in ways unknowable ? In Romans we read of the depths of Gods knowledge and wisdom how unsearchable his judgement. In Isaiah that his ways are not our ways, his thoughts not ours. We read on and like the rains not fall without the ground budding and providing yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. The bread of life and the seeds of the gospel are provided. So it is that we must remember that despite the difficulties knowing God and his ways and in all our searching we still have a God of love and a God of purpose. Historically speaking there is the via negativa or Apophatic theology in which what is said about God is what he isnt and there is the Catophatic in which God is spoken of as in what he is. It has been argued that the Aphophatic way is better as the Catophatic way limits God. 1These ways are not exclusive to Judeo-Christianity but have been used in other religious speculation and even in Platonic philosophy. Gutierrez touches on this theme but emphasises that it is the nature of a mystery to be revealed and Paul speaks the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith". In the Word made flesh this
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For a description of the problem of knowing God see here. http://marikablogs.blogspot.ro/2009/03/apophatic-and-cataphatic-theology.html

unfolding of the mystery in Jesus and the good news to the nations has ramifications beyond the pure abstract study.