Theology Leads to Missions
INTRO to THEOLOGY
Growing up not loving theology, I learned that it ruined my understanding of Global Missions. When I was a young Christian, I was never motivated to do missions because I had a poor understanding of who God is and what He has done for me through the cross of Christ. But God was so gracious to me, that He used my close friends who introduced to me a God-centered theology that leads not only to doxology (praise/worship) but also to missiology (study of missions). At that moment, I fell in love with it.
It changed my thinking and motives toward missions. I give thanks and glory to God for it!
THEOLOGY MATTERS
I’ve come to find out that many Christians believe that theology is only for seminary students or for pastors, but not for normal Christians who do not attend seminary or are not pastors at the local church. I believe that that is a wrong approach to and understanding of theology. I believe every true and genuine Christian must study theology for the sake of their growth in Christ and Christian discipline.
I believe that that is why so many Christians do not want to do missions, or they do poorly in the mission field, because of the way they approach theology.
They need to see why theology matters.
Theology matters because it helps us to see who God is and what He wants to accomplish through us for His glory and for our joy.
Theology matters because people are dying and going to hell.
Theology matters because God loves the nations.
Theology matters because God loves His own glory!
THEOLOGY DRIVES MISSIONS
By God’s grace, I’ve learned and am continuing to learn more about theology, because I want to be effective in my mission work that Sovereign God has called me to do. God-centered theology showed me the need for missions and God’s passion for the nations.
That is why I am doing missions.
I know that I cannot do missions well if I ignore theology. I know that I cannot preach the good news of Christ if I ignore theology. I know that I cannot love people well if I ignore theology. And I know that I cannot plant healthy churches if I ignore theology.
Dear friends, we need theology for the sake of missions, because God honors, loves, and blesses missions when it is driven by God-centered theology.
BOOKS on THEOLOGY
Theology books that helped me to understand theology:
1. Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem
2. Institutes of Christian Religion (2-Volumes), by John Calvin
3. A Theology Of Lordship (3-Volumes), by John Frame
4. Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof
5. Desiring God, by John Piper
ADVICE
Go read good theology books, and obey, because Theology leads to Missions!
Timur