Doing Theology
he who does these things shall not be shaken forever Psalm 15:5
Does – David asks a very important question. “Who will spend time in Your presence?” It’s worth reading the list in Psalm 15. You will notice one important quality about every facet of the answer. They are all actions toward others. Not a single part of David’s answer is about the right doctrine or an inner feeling or having a personal experience of salvation. Everything David mentions is about actions on behalf of other people. The one who will enjoy God’s presence is the one who does theology; who turns cognitive contemplation into benevolent deeds.
The Hebrew verb is asah. All of its nuances are about getting things done. To do, to make, to accomplish, to complete, to perform an action with a particular purpose, to construct, to engage – there is nothing here that remotely suggests a passive, cognitive stance. Apparently, entering into God’s presence demands doing things.
Our Greek-based view of the primacy of reason has affected our idea about what matters to God. We are believers in beliefs. We think that what God really wants is our affirmation of doctrines. We think that God is really interested in our inner experience. We think that being a Christian is having the right beliefs. This means that all those Old Testament verses about “works” don’t apply to us. We have Jesus in our hearts – and that’s enough to guarantee our goodness before God. We no longer share the worldview of those who delivered God’s Word to us. We have progressed.
It’s such foolishness. The Old Testament view of works has nothing to do with God’s choice about His people. That is grace, and grace alone. But both the Old Testament and New Testament consistently exhort us to act according to the grace God has given, and without the action, there is little evidence that grace has ever had any part of a man’s real life. James said it perfectly. “Unless there is tangible evidence of grace exhibited in outward deeds, any claim to have faith is worthless.”
Of course, we all know this is true. Faith claims without visible manifestations are bogus. But we might not appreciate the underlying psychology of God’s emphasis on action. God knows better than anyone how human beings really work. He knows that if we begin doing our theology, we will very soon discover that the attitudes and beliefs that support those actions become a part of us. God also knows that merely entertaining a cognitive belief never transformed anyone. So, God starts with action. “Do what I ask you to do, and it will change your heart in the process.” It’s the oldest psychological method in the book. Obedience comes before understanding. Do what God asks even if you don’t feel like it. Do it anyway. Do it again and again. And one day you will discover that it feels just right.
So, go read the list. Then do it until you stand in His presence.
Topical Index: Faith, Belief, Action, asah
