"...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." - 1 Corinthians 8:1
If you were to be asked, how is your theology what would be your response? If then asked, how well does your theology serve you, what would you answer? I'm going to assume if you are reading this you might be wanting to prove, through some sort of test, that the answer to #1 is sound and solid and therefore I commend you. I won't argue that you don't have an immense knowledge of the Word of God.
However, this test is to see how well you fare for question #2 and hopefully this "test" shouldn't take you too long to do (especially since this blog was advertised to be a short test). Without much hesitation, onward to our test.
#1: Do you consistantly find yourself debating with fellow believers your theological viewpoints and/or feel as if you have to defend your theological viewpoints on a regular basis? How is that going for you? Is everyone involved with those discussions (perhaps, even debates or dare I say arguments?) being unified or is there a spirit of animosity and division?
If, upon talking theology, there is division that takes place, it seems your theology is not serving you very well.
#2: Do you feel offended when someone disagrees with your theological viewpoint (not in an unorthodox sort of way or anti-biblical, but simply non-essentials to the faith there is disagreement)? Does your pride kick in when discussing your theological views?
If you answered yes to either or both of those questions in #2, again, your theology is not serving you very well.
#3: Do you feel comfortable around other believers who hold different viewpoints than yours, even majorly different viewpoints? Can you actively fellowship with them? Do you have other friends who have different viewpoints?
If you answered no to any or all of those questions, once again your theology is not serving you very well.
If through this quick test you find that your theology is not serving you well, what should you do? Should you change your theology? Am I saying your theology is incorrect? Should "we all just get along" and forget about biblical truths? Not in the slightest. Rather change your point of view.
"Knowledge puffs up" we read from the apostle Paul. So many have knowledge and yet their knowledge makes them prideful. They feel somehow superior to another fellow Christian because of their educational background or vast array of knowledge. It doesn't mean we don't look to gain knowledge, but rather understand that simply gaining knowledge can lead to pride.
Instead, "love builds up" and therefore what we do should be in love and service. We don't use our knowledge to convict people or try to show them the "error of their ways" (as we may think since they don't hold to our certain theological point of view), but rather we want to edify them and build them up. That's one thing love does...it edifies.
If you are finding theological talks to be divisive (and again we are talking theology talks among believers, not those who are in a cult or what not), then you are simply allowing your "knowledge" to puff you up. Perhaps you could be wrong...do those words make your blood boil? If so, you are holding your theological views too personal. Honestly, who cares if someone thinks you are wrong or disagrees with you, should that really cause a lack of unity?
If you find your pride kicking in when talking theology, your "knowledge" has puffed you up. Instead, look to change the discussion into something that will build the other person up and edify them. The sovereignty of God vs. the free will of man debate shouldn't result in a thing of pride. Either way, the Lord loves you and that should bring humility not pride (and side note: no one has ever satisfied that debate and YOU won't be the one to do so. And besides that, it's both and both are taught in Scripture!).
If you find you can only relate to and actively fellowship with those who hold the same viewpoints as you do (in other words, being around Pentacostals or reformed Baptists or non-denom people or whoever makes you feel uncomfortable), you are missing out on the beauty of the body of Christ.
The key in discussing theology is to learn to agree to disagree yet without holding a superiority complex or looking down on the person(s). Your knowledge and intellect aren't going to change the world, but your love and sharing of the gospel will (and that still is only through the power provided by the Holy Spirit so you still can't get the glory).
If your theology isn't serving you well, don't necessarily change it but change the way you hold onto it. If it isn't changing you to change the world, there is indeed a change that needs to be made!
