R. C. Sproul was right: every Christian is a theologian. United to Christ, we become students of divinity for eternity (John 17:3). The question is whether we are good ones. Theology is the knowledge of God and all things in relation to him. God knows himself and all things perfectly; he never needs to check his notes. We do. Good theology therefore seeks, in Bavinck’s words, ‘to think God’s thoughts after him and to trace their unity’. Here are five habits for doing so, whether in the car or in the pulpit.
Holy Scripture: the norma normans of theology
If we are to think God’s thoughts after him, we must listen where he has spoken (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture is God’s sufficient, certain, and infallible Word, the norma normans: the rule that rules every other rule.
Theology has no shortage of witnesses: nature, tradition, and councils may all speak, but witnesses are not the judge and Scripture alone sits on the bench (Acts 17:11; see also 2LCF 1:10). Whatever God has revealed in Holy Writ settles the matter, however impressive the opposition. Good theology listens widely, but knows which voice gets the final word.
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