Theology may sound like a fancy word to some Christians, and many feel its intellectual pursuits are best left up to pastors and professors. But theology isn’t just for academics—because the discipline centers on deepening your knowledge of God, it is rewarding for all Christians to study.
Theology is defined as the study of religious faith, practice, and experience. More beautifully described by Saint Anselm of Canterbury, it is “faith seeking understanding.”
In this blog post, Global University explores five important reasons Christians should consider studying theology.
1. Deepen Your Knowledge of God
The central pursuit of theology is to better understand God’s nature and how He works in the world. Jesus calls us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mathew 22:37). You can’t truly love someone without knowing them, so the process of studying theology will deepen your love for God and strengthen your relationship with Him.
2. Defend Your Faith
Every day, all over the world, Christians are challenged by others to defend their faith. This is why it’s vitally important for Christians to know not only what they believe but why they believe it. Theology seeks to understand the central beliefs of Christianity from all angles, using real-world examples and preparing you to intelligently defend your beliefs when the need arises.
3. Gain Knowledge of Other Disciplines
To contend with difficult questions of God’s existence and nature, theology must call upon other disciplines such as history and philosophy. Studying theology provides the opportunity to learn the history of Jesus and early Christianity and the philosophy behind apologetics—a branch of theology that defends the truth of the Bible against objections.
4. Strengthen Community Bonds
You can’t study theology in a vacuum. You need experienced teachers and mentors to help guide you along the way. Studying theology with others in a group or academic setting will help you make long-lasting connections with fellow Christians.
5. Learn to Live Your Faith
Because theology will deepen your knowledge of the Christian faith and apply it to real-world situations, it will prepare you to follow a more Christ-centered path. The philosophical and historical perspectives it offers will help grow your trust in God and His plan for you.
Study Theology at Global University
Global University’s mission is to provide accessible, accredited, and affordable education to followers of Jesus. We offer self-paced distance learning, so you can answer God’s calling any time, from anywhere. For more information about our degree programs, call us today at 1-800-443-1083 or contact us online.