What is Theology Proper and Why is it Important?
The most fundamental aspect of Christian theology is the doctrine of God, and this is often referred to as Theology Proper. Theology Proper focuses on God the Father and is often referred to as Paterology, from the Greek words which mean “father” and “word”. Putting the two together gives us “the study of the Father”.
The term Theology Proper does not in any way imply that other theological inquiry is improper or ought to be discarded or neglected. This is simply a way of categorizing what theologians are focusing on.
Often, when we think of theology, our minds can begin running to various theological concepts which are certainly related to Christian theology. These may include the study of the Bible, angels, demons, man, sin, salvation, and a whole host of other theological fields of inquiry.
Theology Proper is the designation sometimes used for just the study of God Himself.
This study seeks to focus on what the Bible teaches about God the Father, His existence, Persons of the Trinity, and His character.
If our understanding of God is off by one degree regarding the fundamentals of God’s omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), sovereign, and eternal characteristics; then it stands to reason that our theology concerning a whole host of the aforementioned related doctrines will surely become corrupt as our studies begin to spread outward in a system.
This is important to all people and Christians in particular! Because if we get the nature and character of God the Father wrong, all of our theology begins leaking and corrupts every other area of our theological inquiry. It may help to think of a ship that sets off from port with a course set only one degree off of its destination: this difference may seem incredibly minor until after several days of seafaring the captain discovers that his vessel is hundreds of miles off course.
A theological example might be expressed this way. If God is truly sovereign over all things, then it logically follows that He is sovereign over all aspects of our salvation including who is saved, when they are saved, and how they are saved. If we are the captain of our own salvation, then God is not the author and finisher of our faith.
God’s sovereignty must be certain because if there exists even one single non-conforming and defiant electron that can resist God’s eternal decree; then that one tiny electron could well be the one that attaches itself to another atom and could change every plan God has ever made. That single electron would be autonomous and not under the sovereignty of God. We would also be forced to conclude that this single electron IS God since it can move about self-determinately under its own native power completely apart from God.
Romans 9:19 says, “For who is able to resist his will?” and again in Ephesians 1:11, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the predeterminate counsel of his own will.”
If He is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all!
Even though we are not able to fully comprehend God, it does not mean that we cannot apprehend Him in His self-revelation to us. The whole ocean may not be able to be contained in a cup, but a cup is still able to contain water. Therefore, we believe that what God reveals of himself to us is true, and we can know him truly, but our knowledge of him will always be partial, as his grandeur and ways are beyond our human understanding.
However, God has commanded us to know him. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
Through prayer, study, and meditation, God’s people throughout the ages have come to know and love God not only for what he has done but for who he is in himself. He has displayed and given good gifts to all men, but for the believer, the greatest gift that God gives to His people is Himself. He is the prize of eternal life.
Many people have unbiblical and preconceived notions about God that affect how they understand Him. Some see him as tyrannical possessing no love or mercy. Others see God as a buddy or the man upstairs, with no justice or anger. Both perceptions are equally unbiblical. God is full of mercy, love, and grace while simultaneously maintaining perfect holiness and justice. Theology Proper, or Paterology, helps to ground our theology across the spectrum of systematic theology as well as all the disciplined studies.
God alone grants mercy and exercises perfect judgment. He punishes sin in Adam and forgives sin in Christ. He alone has the authority to grant eternal life to believers and eternal damnation to unbelievers. Theology Proper gives us a solid and biblical understanding of who God is and what He does.
