I do believe it is important; I would say it is critical for women to be theologically literate. Especially as biblical counselors.Theology is not just for men anymore. In fact, it has not been just for men ever.To live the life that God has called you to live and to love that life involves theology. To help your counselee’s to understand the changes that must be made in their minds and hearts you must know theology!
Let’s begin with the basics:
Theology is a compound word made up of “theos” meaning God and “ology” the study of. Simply put theology is the study of God.
Why would we study God? Why do people study God? Usually people study God in preparation for their Bible college degree. Or we pick up a class or two here and there on some aspect of theology because we want to understand it better and we want to know how God operates. We study Theology to help us to know God.
How do we study Someone who is infinite? How do we study a Person who describes Himself as all-knowing and perfect and eternal? Where do we even begin? We could begin with the major doctrines of Scripture, we could do it survey style or in depth.
We could study:
You might have some theology basics in the back of your Bible like I do. From there I could study the characteristics of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Paul made a big deal out of instructing his young apprentice Timothy to stick to sound doctrine, from good and accurate theology.
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB)
Paul exhorts him again in 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Why would Paul consider theology so important? In Titus 1:9 he tells Timothy to:
hold(ing) fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2 Timothy 4:3 (NASB)
...and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,1 Timothy 1:10 (NASB)
Paul has been telling Timothy to watch out for apostasy. In the first 5 verses of 1 Tim 4 we find descriptions of what that will look like and how you will know an apostate. One who claimed to believe and was a false believer. He describes their teachings and actions and warns Timothy of the perverted doctrines they will teach.
Continued tomorrow...