Is theology relevant?

Lately I have embarked on an independent study of the procession of the Holy Spirit for an independent study course at Wesley Biblical. In reading and preparing for it I have had to ask myself the question of relevance. Does a discussion on the procession of the Holy Spirit have any meaning or bearing on modern Christian practice?

Honestly, I believe it does. Let me give a little history for those who may not be acquainted with some particulars. When the Symbol of Faith was ecumenically confirmed in 325 at Nicaea the phrase regarding the Holy Spirit simply read, after stating belief in the Son, “And in the Holy Spirit.” In 381 at the Council of Constantinople the Symbol was changed (ecumenically of course) to include “the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets” when speaking of the Holy Spirit. Sometime in the later sixth century the Latin speaking churches began to speak of the Spirit’s procession “from the Father and the Son…” when reciting the Creed. This was largely due to the battle against Arianism in Spain. It eventually led to the great Schism between the East and West.

Some have argued this point as being moot. Is it even relevant for us to discuss a doctrinal difference? I believe it is very important. The Creeds are not merely agreed upon statements of doctrinal faith. They are statements which attempt to distill the fundamental truths of reality as they are revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is who he said he was, then the Creeds are absolutely vital to understanding his person and work. The Symbol is not a mere invention of men but is the work of saints who were attempting to give expression of what they perceived to be the most basic truths regarding faith and practice. Their statements are wholly biblical in nature. Many have argued to exclude the creeds from faith as they are not “divinely inspired” and therefore of some lesser importance than the Scriptures. The problem with this, of course, is that the Creeds are wholly based on Biblical authority. Their expression is the expression of the Biblical and apostolic witness.

We return to our query of the relevance of theology. Is it important for pastors to be able to think theologically? Does the discussion of theological matters have bearing on the Christian Church of today? It does. Virtually all statements we make regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ have been explored theologically. Do we pray to Jesus for salvation? If so, we do it with a theological framework. Do we praise God for his good works? If we do, we do so with a theological framework. What that framework is and whether it is biblical or not is the topic of another discussion. The point here is that theological thinking is ever prevalent in the Christian faith. One cannot escape from it, no matter how hard you try. If this is the case, then theological thinking and discussion is profoundly relevant; a fact that we, as ministers of the Cross, should never take lightly.