Why Study Theology?
"He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:9b-13 RSVCE
First, Catholicism, and indeed Christianity at large, is very little like what atheist presume it is like. Our faith is interested in truth and it to the full. We neither blindly adhere to the things of faith nor do we believe that science is its opponent. It is Christians who are ignorant of what faith truly means, don't make their faith life-altering, and/or who are not as skilled as atheist philosophers in defending what they believe, that make faith seem illegitimate or insufficient. When an atheist comes to argue with Christians who don't make the faith their own, don't act on faith's implications, and/or don't know it well, the atheist concludes that the faith is not founded in anything worthwhile. Even though Christians may understand faith's truth and importance, they find themselves unable to convey their understanding in a logical way. Atheism, agnosticism, etc. are often held closely with scientism (the belief that science is the only objective means by which anything can be known). Scientism is the opposite extreme to the superstitious belief which is not founded in anything logical. By adhering to scientism many falsely conclude that science has not come to know God, He cannot be known. Catholicism disagrees with either extreme and asserts the necessity for both faith and science. To the wider culture, the scholarly witness of Catholicism must be given to reveal the truth of faith.
Second, many "religious drifters" do not make informed decisions when they "drift" from one denomination/religion to another. It is sad to me that truth's importance to some has so evanesced. There is universal principles to be known in every denomination, and they are not insignificant. God does not change to be what we would like Him to be, He is the same throughout all eternity. The Old Testament is often disconnected from the New Testament, just as Jesus is misread, as though He were not Jewish. It is essential for Christianity to have a Jewish source. Without incorporating the source of Christianity into Christianity it no longer has context. The average Christian does not think about such aspects of their beliefs and it is important they do. One who studies theology does not merely promote their own understanding, but should seek to reveal Jesus as He truly is: loving but not malleable, sometimes harsh but caring, forgiving but challenging, miraculous but also works in common life, in heaven but present to His Church, fully God but also fully man, and Lord over all but allowing free choice. Indeed, as Augustine said" Si comprehendis non est Deus"/"If you understand then it is not God". Knowledge of God in the doctrine and academic allows for greater faith, hope, and charity in a relationship with Him. A relationship without religion is relativism. Yet, religion is clearly not the whole of the faith, but one should not exist without the other. Living out and proclaiming all essential aspects of Christianity and them done well, is the life long goal of anyone who knows the teachings on God since the Garden of Eden until the present day.
Third, the average Catholic either do not know the extent of what it means to be Catholic and/or presume their "Catholic" beliefs can/should bend to their intuition. There have been countless surveys of Catholic revealing the don't know/believe central doctrines of the faith. The point being, Catholics are out of touch with the truth, goodness, and beauty of their faith. As a result of secularism, a chasm has formed between Christians and their beliefs. The missionary zeal of a Christian in the United States evanesces, while African Catholics get kidnapped and Chinese Catholics become martyrs. As stated above, we should defend our faith, in charity and education. We should marvel at the depth of faith that has developed into the Catholic Church over two-thousand years. The more we know about our faith the more we fall in love with God in it. Saints have died, suffered, and lived for the Catholic faith in every century. They are proof of our belief, many of them living miraculously. The truth resonates through the teachings, which are the sum and application of the Gospel. Heresy and secularism have at times confounded Christians, but the Church has used philosophy, science, etc. to refute false claims and their implications. Nobodies faith is their own, century after century the Church has handed down the scriptures, knowledge of them, and the very grace of Christ to the next generation. Catholics, often miss the like, many have misunderstood or never know these things. Catholicism is not an individual's creed but is the result of many accepting the invitation of Christ to be like Him in every generation. Catholics should, through the study of their faith, come to know, love, act out, and pass on Catholicism. However, for many, it is not the aforementioned process but is a mere imposition of what they feel it should be on their children. The faith is not properly communicated, parents entrust the spiritual well-being of their children to the catechetical programs, Sunday school, etc. However, it has always been and always will be the responsibility of the parents to ensure their kids understand, love, and can defend their beliefs. These programs provide good reinforcement. However, reinforcement is useless without something to reinforce. Passing the faith on through any and all means is the life work of any who holds a degree in theology.
In Conclusion, misinformation and lack of knowledge are the greatest contributors to choosing the world over God. Secular assumptions have crept into religion, and they must be removed. Everyone should know and understand what they believe. "Truth Himself speaks truly or there is nothing true" (hymn based on Thomas Aquinas) Theology is what is studied to be able to share with the world that which is most important, faith founded in reality A degree in theology prepares one to not only know but also defend the truth, goodness, and beauty of Catholicism. In such a case, studies should not be taken lightly, and nor can the process be understood as simply going to class. The study of theology is lifelong, incorporating not just academics but prayer and intimate study with God. There is never an end to learning, and this is especially true of theology. It is not possible to view your actions as meaningless without consequence. Everything a theologian does shall be incorporated into discussions with others of what they love about Catholicism, and why I know it’s worth sharing. The ultimate struggle of one who studies theology is being able to put what one comes to understand into words. This makes the study of philosophy not just a good idea in terms of understanding the theology, but also provides a more consistent way to present the theology in a way. that is conducive to understanding but also in a truthful manner. What a theologian does with what he/she comes to know shall be a point of judgment upon final judgment. The more I study Catholicism, the more I appreciate and discover its truth goodness, and beauty. I don’t fall in love with it because of its grandeur but because it is a reflection of that Whom I love above all things. Let God be known and loved in His creation, which came to be present in, and where once (if not still) He was not known or loved. In the sum of the above, This love and desire to make God known and known well is born of a call. Theology should not be studied by everyone just as only a few should become doctors. "one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God" Hebrew 4:5a
