The Importance of Sound Theology in an Emotive World

There has been a gradual but revolutionary shift in society’s understanding of personal identity and authenticity.  The seeds of this particular change were sown over two centuries ago with the Romantic movement in the arts and the ideology of philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau.  This shift was driven by emphasizing the subjective and emotive over the objective and rational.  The result is a society in which the individual defines his or her identity according to what some have called the “inner cry of nature.”  

The problem with this self-assessment is that our nature has been corrupted by sin. Granting inner feelings or psychological impressions authority over reality is a recipe for disaster.  The notion that “you are what you feel” is why so many in contemporary society define themselves in terms that are contrary to reality.  Gender dysphoria and abnormal sexual orientations are the result of suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, refusing to acknowledge the God who determines reality (Romans 1:18-32).

This shift has emboldened each individual to consider himself the “arbiter of truth.”  We live in the “it seems to me” generation.  In other words, we look within and rely more on subjective emotional responses to information than on objective truth.  “It doesn’t feel right” is not a reliable gauge of truth.

To compound the problem, we live in what has been dubbed “the information age.”  With the advent of the internet we have instant access to so-called “knowledge.”  This, combined with our tendency to rely on subjective assessments, leaves little room for further consideration or ruminating (what the Scripture calls meditation).  There is little questioning of how this “easily obtained information” is assessed.  What is the criterion by which we evaluate this so-called knowledge?

"'It doesn’t feel right' is not a reliable gauge of truth."

Again, in this emotive age, people measure truth by how the information makes them feel.  Scripture warns against such an approach: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).  Our emotions were meant to be governed, not lead.  And the only true governor of our emotions is the Word of our Creator and Redeemer.  The arbiter of Truth is the God from whom, through whom and unto whom all things exist.  We need objective verification of truth and the only reliable standard for this verification is the Word of God in whom we live and move and have our being.  In Acts 17:11, we’re told the Jews in Berea were more “noble” because they were both willing to hear and eager to search the Scriptures to see if God’s Word verified Paul’s message.

"Our emotions were meant to be governed, not lead.  And the only true governor of our emotions is the Word of our Creator and Redeemer."

This is where theology comes in.  The term “theology” is often misunderstood.  The word simply means “God talk.”  It’s the word of God, from God, about God.  Of course, we can know what His Word says without knowing what it means.  Sound theology refers to the proper understanding and application of God’s Word.

Three biblical terms comprise sound theology.  Knowledge is simply knowing what is said. Sound theology is not less than that, but it is certainly more. Understanding is putting it all together, realizing how the things we know fit together and form a meaningful picture.  But the most crucial aspect of sound theology is wisdom.  Wisdom is knowing how to apply what we have come to understand from God’s Word. Wisdom is knowledge and understanding applied, knowing what it means to me and how it is to be lived out day to day.  Therefore, the essence of theology is the application of Scripture to life.  Theology is not just knowing what the Scripture says but knowing what it means in the broadest sense of the term.

"Submitting ourselves to sound theology will reign in our emotions and train them so that our emotional responses arise from objective Truth rather than idolatrous subjective distortions of reality."

Without God’s Word, our knowledge, understanding and wisdom are anthropocentric (man-centered).  It has no frame of reference beyond our personal experience and perspective.  Theology refers to theocentric (God-centered) knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  Truth with a capital T is not all about people; it is all about God. Theology is “God-talk” that is based on a theocentric worldview.  In this respect, engaging in theology should be our way of life.  God must be the unstated premise of all our knowledge and activity.  

Theology should be the very foundation of our communication. “My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone." (Psalm 71:15-16).

Submitting ourselves to sound theology will rein in our emotions and train them so that our emotional responses arise from objective Truth rather than idolatrous subjective distortions of reality.  In our next post, we will consider the impact sound theology has on our understanding and the way we live.