A Disciple Grows in the Knowledge of Christian Beliefs

A Disciple Grows in the Knowledge of Christian Beliefs

The next essential element of Christian discipleship is growing in the knowledge of Christian beliefs, or what we might call theology. Now, I know that word may immediately turn you off. It sounds arrogant or academic. “Why can’t we just love God?” you might ask. But hang with me—I want to convince you: (a) that you’re already a theologian, and (b) that you need to commit to being a good one.

Often, theology is seen as an obstacle to discipleship, but it is actually the foundation of Christian living. The term theology comes from two Greek words: theos, meaning God, and logos, meaning word. It basically translates as “words about God,” or “God’s Word about himself.” Is there anything more practical than words about God? Is anything more important than understanding what God has said about himself? I don’t think so. Doctrine and discipleship go hand in hand.

Theology is simply what we believe to be true about God, and everybody believes something about God—even if they believe he doesn’t exist. Everyone is a theologian because everyone has words about God. Everyone has gone to seminary—has learned how to think about God. The question is, have you been taught how to think about God by God, or by something else? Everyone is being discipled; the question is, by whom?

Good theology helps us know who God is, who we are, what the world is, and how we can be faithful disciples.

Paul highlights this in his letter to the Colossians: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9–10). For Paul, deep disciples are filled with, and increasing in, the knowledge of God. Why? Because it is then and only then, that they can walk in a manner worth and pleasing to him. Knowledge of God leads to faithfulness and fruitfulness. We cannot be faithful and fruitful to a God we don’t know.