WHY I FEEL STUDENTS NEED THEOLOGY

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word theology?

Do you think of unpronounceable words, or dusty books from centuries ago, or perhaps lengthy sermons? If you had to choose between studying theology and solving mathematics, which would you choose?

For many of us students, the mere thought of studying theology seems way beyond what our daily life can handle. We might think, At this stage in my life, I can’t learn theology. My life is consumed and overwhelmed with the daily duties of studenthood. Perhaps we think that our time might be better spent reading up on ways to pass exams, or on the best textbook to buy for the upcoming exams.

But the truth is we desperately need theology for all our daily duties of studenthood. We need theology for graduation battles, examination worries, the library and everything else in between.

Just What Is Theology?

The word theology comes from the Greek words theos (God) and logos (word or body of knowledge). Theology is the body of knowledge about God, or put simply, the study of God. As Christians, we should desire to know all we can about God. After all, he is our Maker, Creator, Sustainer and Savior.

But learning theology is just the first step. We also have to apply it. And when theology intersects with our daily lives, we find that it isn’t just for seminary professors, but for all of us.

What we believe about God, who he is, what he has done and who we are in light of all that isn’t just for mere study and debate. Words like imputation, justification, atonement and election affect the very course of our lives day in and day out. They mold who we are.

Real Hope, Real Wisdom, Real Peace

It is tempting as students to think that what we need to make our lives better is a quick solution—something tangible that we can implement tomorrow to make things run smoothly and comfortably. When the daily challenges of running for a degree , we think that what we need most is a fresh idea or a new technique, and then everything will be OK. So in those few moments when we have time to think and read, we reach out for those practical books and articles, hoping that some new tip will change things.

While books with practical tips are useful for some things, the hope they provide can be short-lived. In truth, it is in theology, in our study of who God is and what he has done, that gives us the real hope, real wisdom and real peace that we need in our lives—the kind that lasts. It’s theology—knowing God—that anchors us in the chaos of motherhood.

So students, theology isn’t just for pastors, teachers and professors; it’s for you too. And it’s not for another stage of life. It’s vital for you right here, right now, in the trenches of your daily life as a student

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