I Already Answered That Question

Years ago I taught a group of 20 young national church planters in a remote and hidden location for a week. My topic was the doctrine of the Trinity. But, to my surprise, at the end of the week the class was most interested in Bible verses about the Return of Christ.

Unusual Question & Answer

Open question and answer sessions can be very helpful to those asking the questions and to everyone listening and thinking through the answers together. These kinds of sessions can also reveal a lot about where a group is in their understanding of doctrine, Christian living, and how they are thinking about their community and mission.

The first person asked about the meaning of a passage in Matthew about the timing and events surrounding Christ’s Return. I answered the question. A second person asked about the meaning of a verse in Mark about Christ’s Return. It was a similar passage, but I answered the question. A third person asked about the meaning of a verse in Revelation about the end times. Again, it was a very similar question. I pointed out how all these questions were almost asking the same thing, and then I answered the question again.

And yes, a fourth person found a passage in Luke he couldn’t understand about Jesus’ coming again and asked the same types questions again! At this point I put a stop to the questions, “I already answered that question,” I said. They looked confused. It was time to have a conversation about the value of systematic theology.

Biblical Literacy is Elementary

This group of young men and women knew their Bibles well and could quote many verses by heart. They were passionate about their faith in Christ, understood the Gospel and could communicate it clearly. Objections to Christianity were readily answered with chapter and verse.

Listening to them share with one another, they would meaningfully encourage and challenge one another from the Bible. They quickly found key verses for spiritual guidance and answers to life’s problems. In many ways they were inspirational leaders who modeled Biblical knowledge and its practical usage.

Systematic Theology Develops Maturity

At first they did not see their problem. They resigned themselves to live with many many unanswered questions, hoping someday to find someone with the answers. They were hoping I was that person, at least for this topic. Maybe God would send them others for other topics.

We talked about how having a theology would help them understand the Bible better, interpret passages more consistently and faithfully. We talked about how our theology can grow and develop as we learn more together. Their own questions they were asking me was a perfect example for them to see the value of systematic theology.

Together we identified other topics of interest and collected Bible verses on the subject. I asked them questions to help them synthesize the Bible’s message on a few topics and be able to present the theology coherently. Confidence started to grow that they could find the answers from God’s Word on many other important topics by thinking systematically about the whole of the Bible’s message. In other words, I taught them how to do basic systematic theology.

Equipping Everyone Everywhere

This experience with these brothers and sisters was a blessing to me as much as it was to them. This is because I would see the same situation replicated in many other parts of the world. When poor interpretation combines with passion, confusion results and sometimes even heresy.

We should be aware of this struggle and work to meet the needs of churches and leaders for theological development. I have found that one of the best ways to teach the process is to focus on the basic doctrines of Christianity (Trinity, Person and Work of Christ, and Salvation) and lead them to discover the historic theology directly from the Bible for themselves. It is exciting! It has tremendous value that helps in practical ministry. And they are then well equipped to work on other doctrines by themselves.