William Perkins once wrote, ‘Theology is the science of living blessedly forever’ (quoted in J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, p. 64). The quote is found in volume 1 of Perkins’ works, but today it is virtually impossible to get the book (and the online version is borderline unreadable). Hence, I have no context whatsoever to help me in interpreting that quote. With that said, the quote is a gem.
If this definition is true, then the aim of studying theology is learning to live blessedly. That is, the primary task of theology is to ask, How can I gain the smile of God on my person and life? This is why theology can never, not for one second, be separated from Jesus Christ. For it is only through the person and work of Christ that we find blessedness.
Second, If this definition is true, then the way we live is intimately related to our theology. If we are living a blessed life, then we are good theologians. Understand that the term ‘blessed’ does not mean that you will be rich or problem free. It means that you are living under the smile of God. You are living the sort of life that would cause Jesus to say that you are blessed. And we already know what type of life that is, for he told us – poor in spirit, mourning over sin, meek, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted. A good theologian is not someone who is necessarily able to systematize theology like Charles Hodge. A good theologian is someone who is able to life a life like Charles Hodge.
Third, if this definition is true, then teaching theology is teaching people how to live under the smile of God. And again, this is why the person and work of Christ must be central to all Christian teaching. A sermon without Christ is a sermon with bad theology, for it is not teaching people the only way to be blessed and live blessedly. We cannot experience the pleasure of God if we are not accepted by him through his Son. And we cannot live out that accepted life without learning how the gospel informs our motives and actions.
Ezra 7:10 tells us that Ezra’s aim in life was to study, to live, and to teach God’s law. Perhaps that is why, when confronted with the sin of his people, he was the one pulling his own hair out rather than trying to pull out the hair of others (see HERE). He desired to know how to live blessedly, to do it, and to teach others the same.
