When We Don't Care To Know God.

The study of theology is considered by many to be dry, boring, irrelevant, and complicated. But for those who want to know God, the study of theology is indispensable. The word “theology” comes from two Greek words, theos (“God”) and logo: (“word”). The study of theology is an effort to make definitive statements about God and his implications in an accurate, coherent, relevant way, based on God’s self-revelations. Doctrine equips people to fulfill their primary purpose, which is to glorify and delight in God through a deep personal knowledge of him.

Meaningful relationship with God is dependent on correct knowledge of him. (Editors note: understanding a person for who they are, not a fabricated illusion we have created about them. My husband/wife is not an abuser... he/she is like this because they want me to produce the best within me.)

Any theological system that distinguishes between "relational propositions about God" and "a relationship with God” fails to see this necessary connection between love and knowledge. The capacity to love enjoy and tell others about a person is increased by greater knowledge of that person. Love and knowledge go hand in hand. Good lovers are students of the beloved. Knowledge of God is the goal of theology.

Knowledge without devotion is cold, dead orthodoxy. Devotion without knowledge is irrational instability. But true knowledge of God includes understanding ev-

erything from his perspective. Theology is learning to think God’s thoughts after him. It is to learn what God loves and hates, and to see, hear, think, and act the way he

does. Knowing how God thinks is the first step in becoming godly.

Many would like to think that just being a“good” person and “loving” God, without an emphasis on doctrine, is preferable. Bit being a good person can mean radically different things depending on what someone thinks "good" is, or what constitutes a “person.” Loving God will look very different depending on one's conception of "God" or "Love". The fundamental connections between belief

and behavior, and between love and knowledge, demand a rigorous pursuit of truth for those wanting to love God and to be godly."

ESV Study Bible Doctrine Notes in back.