Theology, dreadful weapon.
There is a time to wield.
There is a time to sheathe.
For what purpose is it used?
When the wisdom of the world
attacked the gates of heaven
the wisdom of God
provided the antidote.
Thus, theology was revered,
Given primacy of place,
To call truth from error
To pronounce right and wrong
Yet, the idol of the mind
Believing thought can touch the divine
Turns it against mankind
Subjection to “orthodoxies”
Men build careers by it,
Seen as authorities by it,
Become honored because of it,
Become studied because of it,
Lurking in the depths
Pride hides itself
Being labeled god
Quoting the Bible
There is but one true theologian
Or three
Depending on the count
Who is called God
Instructed by the Father
to be discipled by the Son
to hear the words of the Spirit
This is the way of truth.
An orthodoxy serving orthopraxy
As the creation sustains
As love bleeds life
As the wind raises up.
Hearts restored
Humanity transformed
Bodies raised
For this the true Theologian came
A vision of righteousness
Perceiving the good
For all who die
To see and know
But men want to be known
They seek to be praised
Their own righteousness displayed
For the so-called truth they say
Seeing the ghosts of the past
They wield this weapon
Seeking to be heroes
To be bold for their god
But as Christ told Peter
“Sheathe your sword!”
So too true followers
Learn to sheathe theology.
By it many are wounded,
Yet a thousand words
Provide little console
For deepest of pains.
Yet love speaks
Where theology cannot
Where the face of glory
Communicates what words cannot
Truth is where
Love reigns
Life springs forth
In His fullness
The Word made flesh
God drawing near
Healing by a touch
Blood giving life
Not an abstract doctrine
Not a missional outline
But an inbreaking reality
Where earth overlaps heaven
God making His will known
Calling people away from idols
Including the idol of the mind,
The wisdom of the world.
The theology of the world
Peers not behind the veil
But of ghosts past
It sees and fights.
Was it not by knowledge
That Adam and Eve
Gave birth to a humanity
Bereaved by violence?
Wars commissioned
Battles fought
Theologically trained
Have brought this forth
Sheath your theology,
Keep it near your hips,
Let the Triune God,
Show you a better way.