The Quandary of Amateur Theology

Deepening Our Theological Roots Beyond Sunday School Simplicity

I recently came across a podcast called “Amateur Theology.” That struck me as an odd name. Who has a heart attack and calls an “Amateur Cardiologist”? We all want the best care we can get, whether medical or spiritual. Theology is serious business, and we should not trivialize it.

The name “Amateur Theology” may initially elicit chuckles or eye-rolls, but it highlights a concerning trend. According to a study by Lifeway Research, 81% of evangelical Christians believe that “The Bible is the written word of God and is totally accurate in all that it teaches.” However, the depth to which many delve into theological study doesn’t extend far beyond the surface-level understandings acquired in Sunday School.

This discrepancy lays a shaky foundation for the Christian faith, which may crumble when challenged.

In a spiritual landscape where the term “Amateur Theology” can be encountered with a casual scroll through podcast platforms, a pressing question emerges: Is our approach to theology becoming too superficial?

How can we develop a more robust, informed faith?

The Shallow Waters of Amateur Theology

What is theology? Correctly understood, it is simply the study of God. The word has Greek origins: Theos (God) + Logy (the study of). However, the word means more than that. It is the systematic study of the Bible.

For example, you can read the Bible and see many different themes, like the nature of God, sin, and salvation. Theology isolates all occurrences, so, as an example, we can see everything the Bible says about salvation. Only then can we apply our God-given mental capacity to understand the topic as it unfolds throughout the Bible. This is systematic theology, and it informs our spiritual experience.

A simplistic approach to theology can distort the profound truths within the Scriptures. For instance, reducing the concept of grace to a mere unmerited favor overlooks its transformative power and call toward sanctification. Grappling with the multi-faceted nature of such theological concepts enriches our faith and draws us closer to God.

Unprepared for Spiritual Warfare

Systematic theology gives us the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). That should give us genuine confidence in our Lord as we face our daily battles and the great spiritual battle we all fight.

Ephesians 6:13–17 delineates the importance of being equipped with the “whole armor of God.” A shallow theological understanding leaves believers ill-prepared to face the spiritual battles that inevitably come. Deepening our theological knowledge is akin to fortifying our spiritual armor, enabling us to stand firm in the faith.

The battle is huge, and the stakes are almost beyond human comprehension. Author Lisa Bevere was correct when she said, “I believe that the attacks on your life have much more to do with who you might be in the future than who you have been in the past.”

We need to go beyond amateur theology if we intend to fight spiritual battles.

The Risk of Misrepresentation

Embracing a theological understanding of the Bible keeps us from error. Systematic theology results from millennia of believers reading, praying, and coming to conclusions about basic Bible themes.

Yes, there are conflicts between the Calvinists and almost everyone else. Still, we must be mature enough in our faith and knowledge to escape Calvin and others like him. Beware of any movement that must create its own systematic theology.

For example, William Miller claimed, “My principles, in brief, are that Jesus Christ will come again to this earth, cleanse, purify, and take possession of the same, with all the saints, sometime between March 21, 1843, and March 21, 1844.”

People believed this, donned ascension robes, and climbed to mountaintops to be whisked into the sky. It did not happen. Like Calvin, Mormon Joseph Smith, and others, Miller had been cherry-picking the Bible verses that fit his preconceived notions.

Bible truth has been reduced to councils, creeds, catechisms. Yet, the source of our beliefs can come directly from the Word of God, not as a result of theological spin.

Bridging the Gap: From Amateur to Informed

Transitioning from an amateur to an informed theological stance requires intentionality and a commitment to lifelong learning. Significantly, it depends on discernment between the religious systems created by man and those systems we extract from the Bible with the power of reason (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). How can Christians bridge the gap?

Continual learning. 2 Timothy 2:15 exhorts believers to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” This mandates a continual engagement with theological study, going beyond basic biblical narratives to a deeper understanding of scriptural truths. This is far more than consulting the notes in your Bible. It requires a more rigorous commitment to discovering Bible truth.
Leveraging Resource. In an age where many theological resources are available at our fingertips, it’s crucial to discern and choose sound, biblically anchored materials. Engaging with reputable theological scholars, attending Bible studies, and enrolling in biblical courses can significantly enhance our theological understanding. When you do this, follow the exhortation of the Apostle Paul and “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 ESV).
Embracing Community Accountability. The journey from amateur to informed theology should be a collaborative endeavor. Engaging within a community of believers committed to deepening their theological understanding fosters a conducive environment for growth and accountability. Avoid anything that smacks of being a cult, however. You will know you’re in a cult when there is misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person, such as the leader or teacher. Make your commitment to Jesus Christ and his Word, not to leaders, no matter how charismatic they may seem.

Embark on a Lifelong Theological Quest

A deliberate move towards a well-informed theological stance is a lifelong quest that enriches our faith and equips us to represent Christ accurately. As followers of Jesus, we must put the facts of the Word of God first and allow that to empower our faith. Our feelings are important, but no systematic theology can be found in them.

An informed theological stance strengthens personal faith and enhances our ability to engage in meaningful discussions about Christianity in an increasingly skeptical world.

Theological maturity is a credible witness to the Gospel’s transformative power. It reflects a faith that is grounded, well-thought-out, and capable of addressing the complex questions of life.

There’s an inherent joy in delving deeper into the mysteries of God, discovering the richness of His word, and growing in the knowledge of Him. This joy propels believers to continue on the path of theological exploration, perpetually seeking to know God better.

Start Your Theological Journey Today

The journey from the shallow waters of amateur theology to the depths of informed faith is both a challenge and an invitation. Here are the pivotal steps:

Acknowledge the limitations of a simplistic theological stance and aspire to a deeper understanding.
Leverage reputable theological resources and engage within a community of believers committed to theological growth.
Embark on a lifelong quest for theological discovery, embracing the joy and richness that comes with a deeper understanding of God’s word.

Let’s rise to the challenge, earnestly seek to “rightly divide the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), and reflect a well-informed, robust faith in a world in dire need of the Gospel’s profound truths.