When Christians Love Theology
More than People
By: Steven Mattson
Beyond the realm of
churches, religious blogs, and bible colleges, nobody really cares about
theology. What does matter is the way you treat other people.
Within Christendom, we’re
often taught the exact opposite: that doctrines, traditions, theologies,
and distinct beliefs are the only things that do matter. It’s
what separates churches, denominations, theologians, and those who are “saved”
and “unsaved.”
Historically, Christians
have been tempted to categorize the Bible into numerous sets of beliefs that
are either inspired or heretical, good or bad, right or wrong — with no room
for doubt or questioning or uncertainty.
It’s easy to get caught up
in theorizing about God, but within our everyday lives reality is what
matters most to the people around us. Theorizing only becomes important once it
becomes relevant and practical and applicable to our lives.
When I'm sick, and you
bring me a meal, I don't care whether you're a Calvinist or Arminian.
When I'm poor, and you give
me some food and money, I don't care if you're pre-millennial or
post-millennial.
When I'm in the hospital,
and you send me a get-well basket, I don't care what your church denomination
is.
When you visit my
grandparents in the nursing home, I don't care what style of worship music you
listen to.
When you're kind enough to
shovel my parent's driveway, I don't care what translation of the Bible you
read.
When you give my friend a
lift when their car breaks down, I don't care if you’re Baptist or Catholic.
When you help my
grandmother carry a heavy load of groceries, I don't care what you believe
about evolution.
When you protect my kids
from getting hit by a car when they're running across the street, I don't care
who your favorite theologian is.
When you’re celebrating my
birthday with me, I don’t care about your views related to baptism.
When you grieve alongside
me during the death of a family member, I don’t care if you tithe or not.
When you love me in deep
and meaningful and authentic ways — nothing else really matters.
But when you idolize belief
systems and turn theology into an agenda, it poisons the very idea of selfless
love. The gospel message turns into propaganda, friends turn into customers,
and your relationship with God turns into a religion.
You may have the most
intellectually sound theology, but if it's not delivered with love, respect,
and kindness — it's worthless.
The practical application
of your love is just as important as the theology behind it. Our faith is
evidenced by how we treat others. Does the reality of your life reflect the
theory behind your spiritual beliefs?
We should never give up on
theology, academic study, or the pursuit of understanding God, the Bible, and
the history and traditions of the church, but these things should inspire
us to emulate Christ — to selflessly, sacrificially, and holistically love
others. Theology should reinforce our motivation for doing things to make the
world a better place — not serve as platforms to berate, criticize, and attack
others.
But too often, we’re guilty
of failing to practically apply our beliefs in tangible ways that actually help
others. In the end, this is what matters most to the world around us: that we
simply love as Christ loved.
Stephen Mattson has contributed for
Relevant Magazine and the Burnside Writer's Collective,and studied Youth Ministry at the Moody
Bible Institute. He is now on staff at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn.