We live in a society that teaches us to be fickle. This isn’t just a problem in the world however, for Christians can be just as fickle as anyone. Some Christians can think one thing today and then sway to the other side at the drop of a hat. Almost everything has been reduced to entertainment and hobbies. This is true in many areas, but it is most problematically true in theological ones. The chief problem of being fickle isn’t indecision and it surely isn’t because the issues are being examined properly. Fickleness comes because you lack conviction. You lack conviction in what you believe and thus when someone else comes along with a new argument, even a Reformed one, you instantly run after the new shiny doctrinal perspective. Merely by considering the new idea, you think it is the right one and latch onto it until the next novel idea crosses your path. It’s because you treat theology like its a hobby, but theology is not an MMO. Theology is about loving God, not leveling up.



Social media hasn’t helped this issue as it forms pseudo-communities of theological pet issues were camps can wage war with one another on forums and podcasts. Doctrine should never be determined by an internet meme or because you are want to belong to a certain sub-culture. If you change your doctrine because a bunch of the supposedly theological cool crowd can convince you through an internet meme then you have a shallow and superficial faith. If a meme of Leonardo DiCaprio can persuade your theological positions then it shows how deep your theology really is. Furthermore, regardless of if you know what the word hamartiology means, it doesn’t mean that you are theologically sophisticated. Doctrine isn’t a clothing style like Goths, hipsters or being emo that you choose so you can fit in with all your friends. Doctrine is not a fashion accessory.

Doctrine matters and it matters more than just tidbits, witty zingers or neat factoids to learn so that we can win at the theology “game” that we play online. Doctrine matters because it reveals to us the One true God, who sinners are, how they are saved, how we should thus live and what our hope and authority is. Doctrine is literally a life and death issue. Systematic theological topics are not playing pieces or trading cards that you swap back and forth with your other theology nerd friends like you are playing Magic: The Gathering. I despise the term “theology nerd” for it acts as if theology is something for a select peculiar people rather than as an endeavor that is necessary for all Christians.

If a hashtag can change your theology then you really have no idea how to do theology, and I assume you have no idea what the heart of theology is. We learn theology, not to level up in our internet debate skills, but to love and serve God more. This is about God, who he is, following him, praising him and pointing others to who he really is. If you change your theology to fit in with a bunch of internet buddies you are a Christian who is living in a dereliction of duty. The end goal of theology isn’t even about academic prowess, it’s about worship. All good, proper and rightly understood theology will lead to doxology. We learn theology to praise our creator and savior.

You see, theology isn’t multiple choice; it’s not a choose your own adventure book where you get to determine what things you want to put into your theological attributes listing as you bicker with others about what theological team they decided to sign up with. Theological convictions are not the same as joining an Xbox Live team on Call of Duty. Some relegate a few doctrines to the supposedly “really important” realm and then treat everything else as if it’s okay to just swap around at our leisure whenever we want. While not all doctrines are essential for salvation, there is not a single Biblical doctrine that is unimportant. Every single doctrine matters and every single errant doctrine or word we will give an account for before a Holy, Righteous, Just and Sovereign God on the judgment day.

So what do we do then? We restore our study of God to the sacred rather than the superfluous. We hold doctrine in honor. Our society has little use of categories such as holy or sacred and relegates everything to the common and casual. We need to be mature and of sound minds when we speak of things that are sacred and touch upon the very mysteries of God. This does not mean that we never question, consider, or change our views, but that we should hold doctrine in such importance that we take our time before we open our mouths. I have changed many of the doctrinal beliefs throughout my life that I once held, but I change very slowly. Consider, study, argue with yourself the various sides before you argue with someone else about it. Take time, meditate, revisit and ponder truths before discarding them for some thought that you just now learned. Even the pagan Aristotle once said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

I am not saying that we should be pigheaded and close minded to correction or change, but that our doctrine should be of such importance that we are not fickle with it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, so let your theological study and progression be characterized with the fear of God. Lastly, apply your theology to yourself. If the only application of a doctrine that you hold to is that you can now argue it on Facebook, then you do not know the doctrine well enough yet to speak of it rightly. Theology should effect your sanctification and lead you into maturity, wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit. In short, abandon theology as a hobby and embrace theology as life.