If you are thinking taking up theological studies, take a minute to read this list. Having studied theology “on the side” for over a decade now, I’ve gone through enough heartache and shame to not want you to suffer through what I suffered.
Think of these points as a devil’s advocate in that they will show the various dangers that can occur when one studies theology. Knowing them before you begin your first class can help you fight their temptations and complete your courses without remorse.
When You Spend More Time in Study than in Prayer
St. Thomas Aquinas once said that we must “first contemplate, then share the fruits of our contemplation.” One cannot share what they do not first acquire. Hence, if one desires to share God, they must first come into communion with him through prayer. Too often, studious theologians put the cart before the horse as they pursue God by studying him before actually knowing him. The former is the mark of a logician, the latter is that of a mystic.
When You Sacrifice Your Primary Vocation(s)
St. Paul wrote, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). Many lay theologians fall into the temptation of desiring to know God above all things, including their families and their jobs. This is also the case for religious men and women who delve so deep into the science of God that they allow their attention toward community and family to dwindle. Whether you are a religious or a lay man or woman, the fact of the matter is that when you are given responsibilities to love and care for others as your primary vocation, studying theology may hinder your ability to complete that mission that God has already given you.
When You Pursue the Winning of Arguments
In my social media scrolling, I’ve found that Facebook fighting has become a normalized means of “evangelization” in today’s world. Many people have pursued theological proofs only to use them to defeat another person, usually a stranger, in a moral, political, or canonical debate. They care more about wining the argument than wining souls. Such is the way for those who have lost the main reasons why we study theology in the first place- namely, to love.
When You Lose Yourself to Logic
When theologians place their noses into the books of reason, there is a temptation for both nostrils to breath in the heavy burden of logic. It becomes their only air and leaves little possibility of believing in the impossible. Miracles are thought to be exceptions to the Divine rules, angels become figments of our imagination, and devils cease to exist. This is a dangerous path as it keeps the soul barred from the mystery of God, to whom much mystery is due. G. K. Chesterton warns against such a fruitless habit: “Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. Mathematicians go mad, and cashiers; but creative artists very seldom. I am not, as will be seen, in any sense attacking logic: I only say that this danger does lie in logic, not in imagination.”
When Knowledge Becomes More Important than Wisdom
In our puny efforts of examining God’s ways through knowledge, we lack the true means by which we come to understand him to the capacity that we are able, namely, through wisdom. Any theologian of goodwill can tell you that the more they learn about God, the more they realize that there is to learn. It is a never-ending field of study because the one thing we research and learn about is the one Eternal God whose mind is so far advanced than our own. The temptation par excellence of the devil is to create a theologian whose primary mission in life is to accumulate mere facts about God and thus become truly ignorant.
Should You Study Theology?
Do I recommend that you study theology? Yes, but with an elevated regard to the salvation of those for whom you are pursuing your studies. In the words of St. Philip Neri, “Do whatever you wish; for me it is enough you do not sin.” In other words, if your heart and time are disposed to it for the saving of souls, do it.
However, if the study of God distracts you from doing what God has chosen you to do, disown it.
One thing is for sure, you are more predisposed to knowing God’s will and attaining true wisdom in one hour of adoration than in 100 hours of studying theology. The heart is better tamed to listening to the voice of God when you are in his presence. There, you speak with him in your soul and he responds with divine pedagogy in your life.
On the other hand, when one studies theology, you are predisposed to filter another man’s words (even if it is orthodox work) through your mind before it arrives into your soul. Hence, studying theology becomes a labyrinth of sorts, a maze that can help you come to know God, but it may not be necessary, nor prudent, for most when it comes to loving him or serving him.
Sometimes the easiest thing to do when you are seeking God is to look around where you already are and simply be.
Study of God; indeed. But his son left his followers the required knowledge, which they put in book form. It treats the miracles as real, is consistent with science, encourages the healthiest way of life.
At John 17:3 Jesus said we could obtain everlasting life by studying him and his father. At v.26 he promised to make his father, God, known. He could not do that himself because he was expected in heaven in a couple of months or so. So that job was left to the Bible writers, and those of their followers who give it first place in their lives.
Note the advantages. The text is free, or available at thrift shops for a dollar or less. No expensive tuition is required, since the writers themselves were ‘men unlettered and ordinary’.
Having studied theology for six years, and with a Masters in Biblical Theology to show for it. As for pursuing the discipline further, the idea of further argument and counter argument, of wanting to shine in the eyes of my colleagues, to be noticed, to make a difference, to come to a new realization and promote it through papers, articles and books, it just does not seem worth it. And although I was dealing with holy words and concepts the whole time, it is very possible to do so without growing in either holiness or the knowledge of God, nor did I. Further study is out of the question anyway for reasons of age and finances. Unless it were possible to live a monastic life together with study, the life of a Dominican, really, the effort would be a kind of tax on my eternity anyway, where I would purchase academic success and renown at the expense of deeper love of God. No, it is far, far too late to pursue what for me would be such a profitless, albeit very interesting diversion.
Doug, The disadvantages of such an approach are formidable, chief among which is that it puts one in the position of being his own pope. , I am assuming that you are Protestant since you base your recommendation on sola scripture. May God send his angels to guide you into the sure way, which is surely not “faith alone, the bible alone” etc.
First, I protest: I’m not a Protestant, I’m a Bible student.
Second, that term sola scriptura is not in my Bibles. I encounter it only when discussing the importance of the Bible with Catholics. In turn I find that odd, because they also tell me ‘It was the Church that gave the Bible to the world.’ [They’re referring of course to Trent.] In that case [I say], let’s use it in our study of God. That’s when I run into the M-word, also not in my Bible.
I have several, including the New Jerusalem Bible. I like that for its extensive and well-considered footnote apparatus, even when I don’t agree with its conclusions.
As to my post, I am interested in what errors of fact you find in it.
Lee, I’m thrilled you agree. The article was autobiographical and even now, after writing it, I do feel inclined to continue my studies even though it may or may not be a detriment to my eternity. It is so very difficult to not want to learn everything we can about the God we’ve fallen so desperately in love with… but waiting the proper time and place to do so is certainly an act of penance! 🙂 I’m curious though, how are you using your Masters in Biblical Theology?
Hey Doug, Lee. I agree with both of you, actually. The Bible itself is the quintessential tool for our knowledge of Divine law for the reasons that Doug mentioned above. St. Timothy’s divinely inspired quill makes that obvious enough: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Tim 3:16). However, its when we get into the nitty gritty of interpreting the meaning of the literal and figurative language through which the Holy Spirit formed the words and translations that were meant to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us. There have to be a protector of the ground rules of the correct interpretation, like a referee in a basketball game who can call fouls and make known the true violations of the sport to those who are so focused on wining their crown. That’s the Magisterium- the referee’s of the game of the story of salvation. G.K. Chesterton once said that “Catholic doctrine and discipline may be walls; but they are the walls of a playground.” I couldn’t agree more. Without the proper interpretation of Scripture and dogma, we are left to our own devices which tend to shy furthest away from divine law if given the chance.
Referees and such are accredited by authorities in the field. They must also continue to show that they know the rules themselves before they’re allowed to officiate. Who is that authority for Christian theology? One answer is at Acts 4:13 NJB, “They were astonished at the fearlessness shown by Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus” Who were “they”? “Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families.”
Notice their apostles’ credential: They had been associates of Jesus.
So, beginning with the Bible and some ordinary questions I can find answers that disagree with scripture, or agree. Example.
Someone says, “Studying Theology Isn’t For Everyone”; or, ‘Studying God isn’t for everyone.’ The Bible itself says, at Ec 12:12,13, “Furthermore, my child, you must realise that writing books involves endless hard work, and that much study wearies the body. To sum up the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the duty of everyone.” Not for everyone, or for everyone? Which?
Someone says, “when we get into the nitty gritty of interpreting the meaning of the literal and figurative language through which the Holy Spirit formed the words and translations that were meant to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us.” The Bible itself says, at 2Tim 3:16, “All scripture is inspired by God and useful for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be upright.” Of equal importance IMO is the next verse which I seldom see quoted, at least by RCC, “This is how someone who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.” Ill equipped, or fully equipped? Which?
Others have said that too much of the Bible is “mystery”, a bog for the unwary. Jesus said, in a deathbed statement, “And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” A mystery? Then unattainable, and Jesus was joking with us.
Here’s a question that science can’t answer. In fact, the question doesn’t exist in science: Why was the earth created? Science can give us educated guesses as to how, but evolution or the universe aren’t concerned with why. Yet we humans are always asking ourselves Why. What do you think?
And, what was the purpose of putting man on the earth?
For some time I have been editing a book that has been out of print for a while, with a view to republishing it. Where is this going? Who knows, but by following the pillar and the cloud we eventually arrive in the Promised Land.
TG, that was an amazing testimony. It brought a huge smile to my face. I’m proud of you, man, that’s so great. Providentially, I used that same straw analogy with a Dominican friend recently. He told me something I had never thought of before. He said that the straw represents a plant that once flourished with livelihood and strength, but was now in its dying stages, ready to become feed for the flock. The lesson is that Aquinas’ work is not “straw” in its worthlessness, but “feed for the flock” that has served its purpose during his lifetime and for many generations to come. We could compare our own theological studies as the straw of our lives that have led us to understand the true fruit of a happy marriage, a thirst for souls, and a newfound appreciation of the power of prayer and active discipleship.
It is pleasure to meet you.
That’s an interesting perspective on Aquinas. I don’t pretend to understand anything St. Thomas said but I do know a lot about straw. Straw isn’t used as feed. Hay is. Straw has no nutritive value. It’s what is left over after harvesting grain. It’s just the stalk. We farming folk put it down on the floor of our animal pens because it’s good for absorbing waste. Then we get to shovel it into the manure pile a month or so later. I’ve shoveled a lot of it over the years. It’s only value is as compost. I think that maybe that was what St. Thomas was saying about his work. Tell your Dominican friend that and see what he says. I’d love to hear his response!
At one point in my studies I went so far as to invest over $2000 in Verbum/Logos bible software. I don’t know what I was thinking. Talk about stupid tax! I should call Dave Ramsey and tell him my story. The software is super powerful and complex, so much so that they have hours of video to teach you how to use it. I eventually realized that it’s a whole lot easier just to pick up a book. I thought about selling it but keep it as a reminder of my irrational enthusiasm and over-estimation of my own intellect.
It was middle-age that finally got me. I realized life is finite and I only have so many years left. I’m never going to read all of the books I want to read. I’m never going to learn all I want to learn. I have to make choices about what I want to spend my time on. So I have chosen read God’s Word instead of reading about God’s Word. I’ve also chosen to try to get to know God instead of knowing about Him. I learned that approach from my wife and it has made my life a lot better than it was. I like to think that God slapped me on the back of the head and got my attention. He’d been doing it for years. It just took me a while to finally listen.
It’s a pleasure to meet you too.
Ha! This city boy had no way of knowing that straw was used for that purpose. Perhaps compost, then, is the better analogy for the garden of our hearts? Maybe? A stretch? 🙂
Lee, disqus gave me a reply to my “First I protest” post, but it doesn’t show up here.
Disqus delenda est. I’ll stick my reply here and hope for the best.
Eleven paragraphs! I’m sure your thesis adviser is proud of you. Of course I can’t match the CVs of you and TJ, nor do I want to seem to disrespect them. I do point out that your “pillar and support” quote [1Tim 3:15] says the “Church” is such. I prefer the word congregation, which translates the underlying Greek ecclesia. [Vine’s and other authorities.] This means the group of people, not whatever building they may be using. You’re already aware that “church” is taken loosely from “Late Greek kurikon, variant of [doma] kuriakon, the Lord’s [house]”. Am. Her. Dict. 1969. Keeping this in mind prevents us from confusing St Paul’s or St Peter’s e.g. and their attendant bureaucracies with “the congregation of the living God”. In turn we’re protected from the narrow view of the disobedient Jews at Jer 7:4. You’ll recall that Temple was taken away from them by the secular authorities. Twice. My point? Accurate and meaningful translations, not substitutions, of the original languages are available to all, from many sources. Let’s use them. Especially when you point out the errors of fact in my posts, as requested.
You refer indirectly to Trent in defending the RCC view of the Bible. I’ve read the lengthy Catholic Encyclopedia article about it. Not a pretty sight. Not many Catholic laymen know that Jerome himself spoke against the inclusion of the Apocrypha. He was right to do so. Your own NJB editors admit that 2 Maccabees is all but useless as history. Tobit and Judith likewise are convicted. How then, can anyone want them as guide to worsip of “the only true God”? John 17:3. Origen, Athanasius, Cyril of J. and Gregory Nazianzus had the same view. Josephus counted only the “Protestant” canon to Apion, and recommended the others for ‘entertainment’.
I could go on in the same vein, citing scripture AND the scriptural exegetes I myself use. [The Ethiopian was a superior person in the world, but used the missionary Philip as teacher – when he saw that his teaching was based firmly on scripture.]
Jan Huss and I think you’re on shaky ground when you cite John 6 to support Catholic dogma. [‘eat my flesh AND drink my blood’]
I asked your educated colleague TJ a couple of questions about the earth and its human inhabitants. Again, these are the questions that we “people of the earth” ask. [A derogatory term of the educated Pharisees for the unlettered and ordinary.] Will you answer them, please?
Lee, four days now. No answer to my “amha’arets” questions. Thought maybe commenting was closed.
In the event, if you’re stuck, here are a couple of starting points.
Why was the earth created? Isa 45:18.
What did Yahweh purpose for man?
Gen 1:28.