Why Applied Theology? (Foundations Series Introduction)

Theology is Application

We named this series Applied Theology because the work of theology is not to discover some upper-story truth unrelated to our real-life experiences. Theology exists to humbly serve God’s people by helping them learn how to apply it to their lives in practical ways that will honor God.

We understand the meaning of Scripture by applying it.

In fact, every endeavor to understand the meaning of a passage is an endeavor to apply it, because we’re expressing a lack of understanding of how to apply what the passage means to our lives.

The opposite is true as well. Every endeavor to apply Scripture is also a request for meaning; the one asking doesn’t understand the passage well enough to use it.

Sinclair Ferguson writes, “All biblical theology is ultimately pastoral, and all pastoral ministry is ultimately theological.”[1] It is said of Calvin that: "He became a theologian in order to be a better person."[2] And John Duncan said of Jonathan Edwards' ministry, “His doctrine is all application and his application is all doctrine.”[3]

This understanding of theology calls us to engage the issues of our day that are being raised both inside and outside the church. It frees us from false intellectualism, and it enables us to use philosophical categories, scientific methods, and academic knowledge where they are helpful.

However, it can also express itself in nonacademic ways, as Scripture itself does—exhorting, questioning, telling parables, fashioning allegories and poems and proverbs and songs, expressing love, joy, patience, etc.

Ezra, an Old Testament priest and scribe, models the importance of not only engaging our minds and hearts in understanding Scripture, but also in obeying it: “Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

Theology is Doxology

In an age of false teaching and spiritual corruption, the Protestant Reformers returned to the ancient principle of seeing the Scripture as the only ultimate authority on truth (Sola Scriptura).

From this foundation in Scripture, they summarized and proclaimed the biblical teachings of  of sound theology using Latin phrases, including: by God’s grace alone (Sola Gratia), on the basis of Christ alone (Solus Christus), received by faith alone (Sola Fide), and to the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria).

We’ll study each of these “solas” in depth later in this series. But for now, we conclude this booklet by directing you to the glory of God alone, Soli Deo Gloria, as the ultimate purpose of theology.

The goal of sound theology is doxology. The word doxology comes from the Greek word doxa, meaning glory. When rightly pursued, the study of theology moves us to glorify and enjoy God with our whole mind, heart, and life. Thirteenth century theologian Thomas Aquinas summarizes it well: “Theology teaches of God, is taught by God, and leads to God.”

Theology is not just something we believe with our minds. It's also something we experience with the affections of our heart, and something we do in all areas of life—to the glory of God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

Soli Deo Gloria!

Footnotes:

[1] Ferguson, S. B. (2017). Some Pastors and Teachers. Banner of Truth. 685.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 667.