Friday, January 13, 2012

Don't Talk To Me About Theology!


Seeking God is often about wrestling.

Writing the title of this blog reminded me of that song, "Don't know much about history..." by Sam Cooke in the 60s.

Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took

But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

 I would re-word this for me today as:

Don't know much about theology
Don't know much about church history
Don't know much about liturgy
Don't know much about church politics

But I do know that I love you
And I know, God, you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

I think there comes a time in our spiritual lives when we simply don’t want to talk about theology. And I think I'm there.

After all, it’s really never kept us out of trouble, has it? I mean, aren’t all our disputes in the church more about theology than how we live, love God and one another? We argue over who’s in and who’s out of the Kingdom until I'm sick of hearing it. 

When others don’t agree with us about our theology, it often leads to mean-spirited words being spoken. I mean our faith is supposed to be about God, isn’t it? Then there is that second greatest commandment: to love each other as God loves us. 

I am to the point in time that God and love is better practiced than discussed. 

So, don’t talk to me about theology!

But what I’d like to talk about is what we are doing with our faith. You know, our practice of being more like Jesus every day. 

Think of it like this: now that Christmas come and gone, let’s talk about how Jesus was born in our hearts. 

And when Easter comes, let’s share how our life has been resurrected by Jesus’ Resurrection. 

And yes, when Pentecost comes, let’s shout out the gifts that God has given us to help others and heal the world.

We hear a lot today about Christian Evangelicals. Well what about Christian Pentecostals?

I want us to think more about being more Pentecostal than Evangelical.

At this point in my life, I want to be more Pentecostal—more Spirit-filled, and recognize and use the spiritual gifts that God has abundantly poured out you and me.

That’s the kind of stuff I want to talk about. As for theology—I guess I just don’t have the time or the stomach for it anymore.