The goal of theology

The goal of all theology is love. Paul urges Timothy to "charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3). Then in verse 5 he says, "The aim of our charge is love. . . ."

Without that profound word from the Lord, one might well have wondered just what is the aim of our theology at the end of the day. Just what is the ultimate goal of the doctrinal enterprise we are engaged in? What is the purpose of our buying that new plot of land, and rounding up a board of directors, and launching a capital campaign, and building that new seminary, and cutting the ribbon, and teaching that course in New Testament, and handing out those diplomas?

You might well have answered, "To safeguard the truth"-and that would have been a very fine answer. Or you might have waxed eloquent and said the purpose is "The glory of God." No topping that.

But Paul here sums up the goal of theology and doctrine as (drum roll) "love." "Love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (v.5).

Paul could have said any of a number of things about the goal of writing Systematic Theology books, but I think Paul was an astute observer of human nature. He knew full well that people get proud and snotty when they get a little education. He knew that "knowledge puffs up." He knew that the amassing of insight does not always ennoble. In fact, it tends to pride unless we are careful to guard our hearts.

Many of us are pulled up short by Paul's declaration. We find that we had become loveless critics and inveterate fault-finders rather than lovers. Somewhere along the line, we had forgotten that love suffers long and is kind and is not rude. We had thought it did not apply to certain kinds of communication. We mistook our lovelessness in theological discourse for staunchness in defending the faith.

Jesus was very good at theology. He never was rude about it. He met a woman at the well who stunk at theology (John 4). See the gentle way he handled her, like a delicate vase. I love Jesus.

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