Why "Godology"?

A theologian isn’t just a professional reader and writer of literally or figuratively heavy books. A theologian is anyone who thinks about “God” and tries to make sense of God.

Years ago, while flipping through a pastor friend’s Bible, I noticed a note scribbled on a front, blank page inside. It showed that the Bible has been gifted from yet another pastor, offering a brief word of thanks and encouragement. I don’t remember what it said, but the note included a biblical reference that has inscribed itself on my heart: “Ezra 7:10.”

Ezra was as good as the dark side of the biblical moon for me at that point, so I was curious. I found a verse that has become something like a theme over my life, as many other pastors have as well. “Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.” I could expound this verse, but for now I’ll point out what you’ve probably already seen: the threefold rhythm of study, obey, teach. Study God’s Word, obey God’s Word, teach God’s Word. That’s a lifetime worth of calling, there.

That calling ties directly into the name and purpose of this newsletter. “Godology: Pastor and teacher Danny Slavich offers thoughts from a Christian perspective to help you know, love, and trust God and to more clearly understand the world we live in.” In other words, my own study and (stumbling) obedience flows out into writing that hopefully offers instruction and encouragement, based on the Bible, about the Bible and the world. And, thus, the name: Godology. This takes the word “theology” and puts it into English. The theo in theology is the Greek word for “God.” The ology is from the Greek word logos, which means “word.” So “theology” is the “God-word.” The study and knowledge of God. Thus “Godology” is my attempt at a cheeky riff on this. (There is actually another book called Godology that came out awhile back, but I didn’t intentionally copy that when I came up with the title).

“Godology” covers the vision I have for studying, obeying, and teaching the truth. As the theologian John Webster said, theology is the knowledge of God and all things in relation to God. Theology defines what we believe about what’s most important. Quite a few have deployed the slogan, “everyone’s a theologian,” because everyone is a theologian. A theologian isn’t just a professional reader and writer of literally or figuratively heavy books. A theologian is anyone who thinks about “God” and tries to make sense of God. Everyone’s a theologian, you and me included. The x-factor is whether or not we will be good theologians. In other words, will our thoughts and beliefs about the most important things—God and things in relation to God—align with reality? The goal of Godology is that we would all be better theologians, whose thoughts about God align with the reality of God, as God has revealed himself. He has revealed himself in the creation, but he revealed himself most clearly and specifically in the Bible. So I mostly focus on specific biblical themes or texts, but I will also at times attempt to apply those themes or texts to life, the church, culture and the world.

All of this gives context for a new “Godology” project I’m working on. I’ve been wrestling for a few years now with how to leverage the influence of YouTube and podcasting. I’ve dabbled at YouTube here and there. In the before-times (pre-Covid) I started a teaching podcast for our church. Obviously, many have already walked these paths, some quite well and fruitfully. And, yes, everyone and their brother and mom has a podcast these days. Still, I’ve been looking for ways to provide teaching for the local church I pastor, and how to use the available tools where folks are already engaging content. I’m providing our church with teaching on YouTube and a relaunched podcast channel, and I’m making it a part of my vision for studying and spreading “Godology.” These things are primarily intended to resource our church, but I also welcome anyone who wants to jump on board for the travels ahead. Here’s to us all becoming increasingly faithful theologians.