Concerning the human’s pursuit of true understanding of the way God operates (also known as theology), someone once said that ultimately our theology must end in mystery or it is not lofty enough; because if it does not end in mystery then it is within the realm of human understanding, something God is not. God is boundless and cannot be fully expressed nor understood in our puny human, creation brains. The Creator is greater than the creation.

Often I charge the gates of mystery, demanding to know the truth about God. “How do you save sinners? Was my choice what ultimately made me a Christian? Did I choose you God or did you choose me? How, God?! Tell me. Tell me so that I can have right understanding of your mysterious ways.” How dare I. I am told to step boldly into the throne room of grace that I might receive mercy (Hebrews 4:16), but shall I boldly charge into God’s throne room of his mysterious character and demand to have his secrets spilled before me?

Why do I want to have right understanding of how God operates? Do I want to know so that I might lord it over all other Christians stumbling around in the sea of scripture trying to make sense of this field we call theology? For my glory? That knowledge would puff me up for sure. Non nobis, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.

Ironically, this pursuit takes the theo out theology. This pursuit tries to insert me as the recipient of glory in theology, not God. This is nothing other than narcissistic idolatry.

Knowledge and understanding on their own daren’t be the end to which I pursue theology, but a mind that upholds God’s sovereignty, beauty, holiness, cleverness, mystery and glory, which in turn makes my soul praise all the aforementioned attributes; not a soul that admires its accomplishments and boasts in its understanding. God should be the end, knowing Christ and him crucified.