Theology For the Rest of Us

First Christian Church of Chicago
Jan 23
2 min read

Why What You Believe Matters

In our current Foundations sermon series, we have been stripping away the complexities of religious tradition to look at the bedrock of our faith. As we dig deeper in our faith, we inevitably encounter a word that often makes people recoil: Theology.

For many, the word conjures images of dusty libraries, ivory towers, and academic debates that have little to do with the "real world." There is a common misconception that theology is a specialized hobby for professionals or academics—something for the pastors and professors to handle while the rest of us simply focus on "living for Jesus."

However, if we want to build a life that stands firm, we must realize that theology is for everyone.

You Are Already a Theologian

The truth is, everyone has a theology. At its most basic level, theology is simply "the study of God" or, even more simply, what we believe about God. Every time you think about why the world is the way it is, what happens after you die, or how God views your mistakes, you are engaging in theology.

Theology is not an elective course for the spiritual elite; it is the framework through which we view all of reality. Everything we believe—whether we have articulated it or not—is theology of one kind or another. The question, then, is not whether you have a theology, but whether your theology is true.

Protection Against Confusion

Understanding theology is vital because it acts as our spiritual compass. Without a firm grasp of God’s character and His plan for the world, we are easily confused or misled. We live in an era of "expressive individualism," where we are encouraged to create a god in our own image—a god who agrees with all our preferences and never challenges our desires.

Without the guardrails of sound biblical theology, we risk falling into a "false faith" that feels good but lacks the power to save or transform. Knowing what we believe about God’s sovereignty, His holiness, and the work of Christ ensures that when the storms of life arrive, or when false teachings whisper in our ears, we are not "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).

From Theory to Practice

It is also a mistake to view theology as merely theoretical. True theology is imminently practical. Every doctrinal belief carries a real-world repercussion.

If you believe God is a distant clockmaker, you will likely struggle with a prayer life.
If you believe you must earn God’s favor, your life will be characterized by anxiety and legalism.
If you believe God is truly the King of all creation, it changes how you spend your money, how you treat your neighbors, and how you view your work.

What we believe about God’s plan dictates how we live our lives on Monday morning, not just how we sing on Sunday. As we continue through our Foundations series, let us embrace the study of God not as a dry academic exercise, but as the fuel for a life of deep devotion and practical obedience. To know Him truly is to love Him more deeply and follow Him more faithfully.