We theologians love to discuss and argue the finer points of how God works, what orthodox doctrine is, how scripture should be read and interpreted, how we should be in relation to God, et cetera. Often this dialectic is good and beneficial, but it can be risky. While an appropriate knowledge and understanding of Truth is a great cause in the faith, theology can be a grave distraction, not just from exhibiting virtue, but also from being obedient. Take for example the five-century-old discussion on the seemingly different doctrines of justification between Protestants and Catholics – Sola Fide vs. Faith and Charity.
Eugene Peterson points out something peculiar about Jesus in Mark’s Gospel that I would like to show in a different light. In this shortest Gospel narrative, Jesus makes three imperative statements in chapters one and two. He gives three essential commands that we hear today. He calls men to 1) repent, 2) believe in the good news of the Kingdom of God, 3) and to follow him. Every Christian and Christian theologian (novice or professional, must remember these three imperatives. Following Jesus, that last one, is crucial to EVERYTHING for the theologian of today.
The entire reason we have a mission as Christians is because Christ desires followers – the central issue of evangelism is gaining disciples. If salvation is inherent in being a disciple, then halleluiah! But repenting alone, believing alone, and following alone do not please Jesus. Even the Pharisees followed Jesus around sometimes. The rich young ruler believed that Jesus was Lord. Judas repented. But these things alone weren’t enough for any of them.
When we do theology, we must remember that it is to be done only because we are people who are repenting, believing, and following. Otherwise we engage in a risky practice. I might also suggest that this is not a formula, but does include some necessary features for what a Christian looks like (perhaps it even gets at that justification question … but that’s for a different day).
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I understand the point and agree that promoting obedience should always be our first thought. But I am not sure if I can completely agree. Because couldn't it be said and argued quite convincingly that bad theology is far worse a distraction than any dialectic on theology could be? At least with dialectic there is hope for good theology which produces and aids in obedience, while bad theology has no hope of ever producing the fruit of obedience that Christ desires. There are some who will only speak of theology and never live it out and for them I would argue that their theology is far more destructive than bad theology but can we let the few bad eggs who only talk and don't live out their talk ruin Gods beautiful truths of Scripture by eradicating all talk and desire for good theology?
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