If God had wanted me to have a Systematic Theology why would He have not given me one? Instead I have His Word- filled with Stories and Poetry and History and Ideas that are in constant tension with one another.
I love theology- this idea that I can learn more about God- that He has revealed Himself- in His Creation- In His Word- In making us in His Image and all the nuances of human relationships- In the Sacraments and most of all in Jesus. I love that God wants a relationship with me and has made Himself knowable and available.
I have come to abhor the idea of Systematic Theology. There was a point in my life where I thought it would be great to have God all figured out- to have Him become a predictable entity in my life that followed a certain set of rules all the time. I think in my own efforts to understand God- to get a handle on Him- What I was really trying to do was contain and control Him. If I could understand His rules- I could play the game in such a way that I could win- I could get what I want. I asked a good friend recently how many different systematic theologies he thought there might be- His answer- Not sure, but many upon many. So then, which one is right? Which one of these systems has been able to correctly corral God and predict His Ways? In the realm of Christianity how many versions of the rules do you think there might be? Please don't get me wrong- I am not talking here about ultra liberal ideas that deny the diety of Christ, but instead I am talking about people and groups who hold to the core beliefs- God is Sovereign- God created all that is- Men are in need of a Saviour- Jesus, the God/Man came and died for the sins of men- Jesus literally overcame death and resurrected - Upon our calling out to Jesus in Faith He can give us the abundant/eternal life that was lost in our rebellion. Even among those who hold to these core teachings there are so many disagreements in their systematic theologies that it is truly mind boggling how the Faith has survived these 2000 plus years- Yet at the same time- God will not be thwarted- His purposes will not be lost in my own attempts to cage Him- to make Him fit my agenda- to win the game- to satisfy my need to control things.Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My Ways declares the Lord. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My Thoughts than your thoughts."
Father in Heaven- I pray You give me insight into Your Ways and Thoughts- I pray You lead me in the Way of Wisdom. Father I give You thanks that You are beyond me and my limited understanding in so many ways. I give You thanks that ultimately You are Sovereign and Good and Loving. I give You thanks for Jesus- Your express image for me to see- I give You thanks for Your Holy Spirit and Your Word to Lead me in all Your Ways. Move in my heart Lord God Almighty for one agenda only- to grow in my Love for You and the ability to live that out in this foreign land.
