Theology: thinking God’s thoughts after him
First Church’s advertisement in “Christianity Today” last year read this way:
“Rooted in the Reformed tradition, orthodox and evangelical in our theology, First Church yearns to be faithful to the apostolic witness of the early Church, eager to deepen our understanding, even as we seek to serve the common good in Jesus’ name.”
“In a culture that presents us with a massively tangled intersection of ethical and religious choices, we remember the Lord’s word through Jeremiah: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your soul.’ (Jer. 6:16) We seek, in Peter’s words, to give faithful expression to ‘the hope that lies within us.’” (I Peter 3:15)
This theologian in residence position is reflective of that desire.
Indeed. And how fitting that we’ll be welcoming Dr. Wesley Vander Lugt as our “theologian in residence” this fall. See the article by Kim Jones in Tidings to learn a bit more about him and his lovely and loving family.
“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your soul.”
– Jeremiah 6:16
You might ask, “Why would we need a theologian in residence? Don’t we have enough of those already?” Indeed, we do.
Everybody reading this is a theologian.
Each of us believes some theological claims to be true and others false. If someone asks if you think there’s a real hell, you’ll have a response … even if it’s tentative.
And, you’ve most likely mapped out your take on various hot-button issues within our culture: a sense of what you think about critical race theory and systemic racism, or whether Christians should celebrate gay pride month, encourage gender transitioning – or not. These are, of course, all profoundly theological issues.
Indeed. And every one of us is a theologian.
The question, of course, is whether our conclusions accord with God’s, whether our convictions reflect reality. Or, as Reformed Christians would say … whether Scripture supports, informs and anchors our views.
C.S. Lewis weighs in with this from “Mere Christianity:”
“Theology is practical: especially now. In the old days, when there was less education and discussion, perhaps it was possible to get on with a very few simple ideas about God. But it is not so now. Everyone reads, everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to theology that will not mean that you have no ideas about God [i.e. theology]. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones - bad, muddled, out-of-date ideas.”
This is why I’m thrilled that First Church is welcoming a theologian in residence this fall. It’s not because we don’t have theologians. We have 2,200 of them. We all have our theological convictions.
But a theologian coming in from outside our community brings fresh eyes and ears that can both encourage and challenge us when it comes to how we’re doing here at First Church.
Dr. Wes Vander Lugt is a young and faithful theologian, an experienced pastor, and a dedicated student of the Scriptures. His love for theater and the arts, his sense of the gospel as primarily a drama, his dedication to loving the Lord with all of his mind and heart … all of this will enrich us, as will his wife, Stephanie and their trio of young children.
Wes will take the lead in writing three booklets for our congregation:
1. Called to be an Elder? (a short training manual for newly
ordained elders)
2. On Christian Marriage (a brief reflection for couples planning to marry)
3. Joining the Church: What Does It Mean? (given out to Inquirers – those considering First Church membership)
He’ll be teaching and leading groups both Sundays and during the week. We’re hoping, under his direction, to stage a production of Dorothy Sayer’s “A Man Born to be King,” engaging those in the congregation who love the vehicle of drama in conveying the Gospel message.
The list of his contributions will be much longer, but it is a complete joy to welcome Wes, Stephanie and their family into our congregation. My hope for them is that they will leave Tulsa strengthened and refreshed in their own faith, ministry and family.
A warm First Church welcome to each of the Vander Lugts!