Who Should Pursue Theology?

Theology is the study of God, coming from the combination of the Greek words: theos (god) + logia (study).

Theology's end is twofold: love of God and neighbor.

However, many think that the subject is irrelevant to today’s culture.

Surprisingly, theology is very pertinent to daily living, and is important for every Catholic—whether a scholar or not.

A lay person can enjoy theology because he/she is able to respond to “being in love”:

“O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! Make haste, my beloved...” (Song of Solomon, 1:1-8:14)

The main purpose of studying theology is the desire of being an amazing lover! The theologian's whole life is a romance.  This life-long adventure gives purpose: being wholly consumed in the deepest love, the love of God.  Being a "theologian" is not limited to reading, writing, or teaching, but actually living.

The primary purpose as “a student of God” is learning how to love well, and sharing this with others.

Acting in love doesn’t just “poof” happen.  Love is a virtue.  It is acquired. It is explored. It is sought out. It is deepened. It is ordered.  It is studied.   Any knight can give a lady a rose, but a lover gives his “beloved” gifts that delight only her heart.  Romance is found in subtleties of the particular persons involved.  Courtship is active discovery, development and maintainance.  Loving God is no different.

Therefore, studying theology is in concordance with daily living.  For, how can one know the obvious and subtleties of God, if one does not deliberately take time to get to know Him? Without perpetual “aware” responses to Him, one will not love Him uniquely—as only he/she can.

The world will not recognize each person in the role of “formal” theologian, but each person was born to be a theologian, because each of us has been specifically created to experience love intimately.  This is being our best self, a vessel of love. This role is not separate from any other.

“I will arise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him, whom my soul loves… Scarcely had I passed them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go…” (Song of Solomon 3:2, 3:4)