Theological Words - Ethan McConnell
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.