Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 81:321 (Jan 1924)
Article: Why Study Theology?
Author: Robert M. Kerr

BSac 81:321 (Jan 1924) p. 10

Why Study Theology?

Robert M. Kerr

What is the use of Systematic Theology? It is true that for ages it has held a prominent place in the course of study preparatory to the ministry, and it has been revered by not a few as the “Queen of Sciences.” But the times are impatient of tradition. There is an insistent clamor for freedom and progress. The test of utility is being applied in educational circles; everything is brought under critical scrutiny and asked to justify itself at the bar of practical reason. Young men are not infrequently advised upon their installation, “Now, forget your theology.” And not only slurring, but even contemptuous, remarks are made about theology, as though, during Seminary days, it were to be endured as a sort of mental gymnastic, but, after this period of apprenticeship, treated as intellectual junk. The theology of some men, indeed, may not be worth holding fast, but this is not necessarily true of all men’s theology. Theology is one of the staples of religious study: it is indispensable to the religion of a mature mind. There are certain basic needs which guarantee that, whatever changes may be made in Seminary curricula and even in theological formulae, theology, as the scientific study of the doctrines of revealed religion, will remain with us. We are not afraid of the utility test, but we insist on defining utility in spiritual terms.

I. Of course, the Preacher needs theology. He is crippled without it.

He needs it in the interpretation of Scripture. A study of the teachings of the Bible reduced to systematic form puts at the preacher’s disposal the “Analogy of Faith,” which is one of the touchstones of correct interpretation. For instance, the Lord says, through Isaiah (45:7), “I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah that doeth all these things.”

BSac 81:321 (Jan 1924) p. 11

Now, a man without a theological background is likely to infer from this passage that God is the Author of moral evil, and that in such a sense as to destroy all human freedom and responsibility. But here systematic theology imposes a check: it reminds the student that elsewhere (Jas. 1:13), it is written, “God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man.” The Bible is the highest authority as to its own meaning. “No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation” (2 Pet. 1:20). That is to say, its meaning can be discerned only in the light of the context and of all that the Bible says upon the subject involved. Theology systematizes the main teachings of the Bible, and thus pours a flood ...