Answering this question entirely depends upon the premise of
how theology is being used in our daily life.
1. If theology is used to study scripture deeply and knowing
God more in our daily life, then it aids us getting near to God. Understanding the
scripture and the way God revealed himself helps us to know him and know
ourselves in light of relationship with him. Thus, theology turns out to be
fruitful. In this premise, we tend to learn about God, ourselves, and our
relationship with him. It helps us in daily Christian living and daily conduct
with our neighborhoods. For instance, why do we pray? Why do we only focus
Jesus? Why don’t we have massive enrollment of festivals and rituals? Why don’t
we put tika, eat prasad, and worship idols? Why don’t we talk about reincarnation?
Why don’t we believe in superstition, ghosts, etc.? Why do we refrain from obsession
of socially distracting activities like gambling, alcohol, smoking, etc.? Why
do we love, care and serve others despite their inability to serve back? Why do
we talk about human rights, freedom, revolution against social evils, etc.?
Theology shapes our mind and makes us conduct ourselves in all this framework. It’s
about loving God and neighborhoods.[1]
2. On the other hand, if theology is used for unnecessary
arguments then it can distract our mind, relationship with our brothers and
sisters in Christ, generate aggression and dogmatic positions that can harm and
split churches and also create rivalry among believers. This can affect our
relationship with God due to frustration, confusion and cause us to somehow
turning away from our faith as well. Theology can lead to pride of attaining
massive knowledge. A person can focus more on unnecessary subjects rather than
meditate on God.
Furthermore, it depends upon which premise we choose to
focus more.
1. Some Christians choose to focus more in relationship with
God and abide by fundamental doctrines,
2. Some Christians try to frame their church or other
fellows with the specific doctrine they hold (e.g. Calvinism, Young
Creationism, etc.)
3. Some Christians try to enroll more time in arguments
being theologically dogmatic.
4. Some Christians might only focus on gaining knowledge in
unnecessary subjects.
In general, churches in Nepal don’t
tend to lean towards theological studies. The reason is simple: Nepal has been
affected by Western framework. Meeting church leaders from various
denominations, I’ve realized the miserable theological pollution spreading
here. One of the good reasons, believers don’t prefer theological knowledge but
just a simple faith.
In past, I used to think there is a
perfect unity in Christianity but today I realized I was wrong. The confusing
environment sometimes become a stumbling block. However, once we see the beauty
of Christ, this conflicting environment becomes unaffecting premise in our
life. Today, I know how much pollution there is in Christianity and this doesn’t
act as a barrier to me. I still know the dark phase of theology and yet I delight
in studying. This only works if we embrace the fundamentals otherwise theology
can be a factory to produce monsters!
Does theology lead us near or away
from God? To be practical, theology itself neither draws us near to God nor
throws us away from him. It is merely a field of study. So, it depends on how
we use theology in our life. It is our responsibility rather than accusing
theology.