Theological Words - Ethan McConnell

            For someone who grew up in small, southern churches (mostly Baptist and a few non-denominational churches), the first time I attended a Presbyterian church was a unique and enlightening experience. For the first time in my life, there were people who not only understood and talked about their bibles, but who understood and talked about theology. Over the course of my late high school and early college years, I continued to attend the same church and was often challenged to think through the doctrines of our faith. I was presented with large, theological words like impassibility (God does not have human emotion) and aseity (God is self-existent or independent). Not only were those words used in casual conversation, they were explained and applied to my life.

            Looking back now, I can see how such teaching was extremely important to my spiritual development. Not only did such instruction give me a better mental grasp of the Scriptures and of Faith, it gave me a better spiritual understanding of God and His word. I have often used the illustration of a friendship or even a romantic relationship when describing why it is important to know these theological truths. If I were to marry my fiancé without ever knowing anything about her character or desire, that marriage would be unlikely to end well. Similarly, when we profess faith in a God that we know nothing about (and never actively seek to know anything about), that faith-based relationship is unlikely to stand firm when trials come. 

            There is a practical element to this line of thinking. Certainly, our lives will be better for seeking to know God and His word. Life in the church and in the home will function more smoothly and we will have a greater comfort in times of trouble. Yet, there is, I think, an even more significant spiritual element to these truths. When we begin to learn about the character and attributes of God, we begin to grasp and grow in the truth of what He has done for us through His plan of redemption. Our faith, in this way, begins to become sight, though it is but a glimpse of a future glory.

            As Christians, we must always take time to study the attributes of God closely. We ought to read about them, study them from the Scriptures, and learn their theological names. Even as beams of sunlight penetrate the clouds on a stormy day, so too do these theological truths penetrate the veil of sin and reveal our saviors’ glory. Why would you neglect their study? Why would you simply be content to know “enough” about the greatest and most glorious being in all the universe? We must always press on in our search for truth, seeking to glorify our Lord.