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Introduction
When hearing the word Theology some may be surprised to learn that most individuals
will have a meaning to this word that may be diverse than others. This is because people have
different experiences or perspectives on what the term theology means and how they apply it to
their lives. It is important to note that since individuals view this topic in an abundance of diverse
ways, these ways should be respected since they impact the way that individuals go about their
way of living.
Hearing the Term Theology
Theology can be perceived in numerous ways. When hearing the term theology, the first
thing that comes to mind is an individual's worldview. A worldview is the understanding and
perspective that one has on the world. With theology individuals are making an effort to
comprehend the scriptures that are provided to them by God and the Bible. Through God’s word
and teachings is how worldviews are initially shaped. In the course textbook, it states that the
way an individual views theology and Gods word has a huge influence on how they live out their
lives (Etzel & Small, 2016, p. 5).
The way that God’s words are interpreted will impact a person's outlook on the world
around them and how they go about living their life. Nonetheless, when thinking about theology,
another important aspect that comes to mind is the Bible. Without the Bible one would not be
able to obtain the valuable information that is provided to them through the scriptures.
Throughout the Bible, God is showing individuals the way of life. By fully understanding and
following God’s word, one will live a life that is rewarding and joyful. One scripture that
expresses this is, Psalms 37:4 which states, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give
thee the desires of thine heart” (King James Bible, 2024, Psalms 37:4).
Experience with Theology
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Growing up there were many experiences that I have faced when it came to theology and
how it affected my outlook on life. I believe that the experiences that individuals face have a
significant influence on the way that an individual views theology. In my childhood, I spent most
of my time in and out of Church but never on a consistent basis. It was not until my senior year
in high school, when I decided to read the Bible and educate myself on God’s word and
teachings. Most of the time in my younger years, the lessons that I was taught about theology
and about my religion were taught to me by my parents or other adult figures.
I understood that God wanted all to live a life that is pure and free from sin, but as a
child never fully understood what that consisted of. During my childhood, my religion was based
on the information that others were telling me and how they interpreted God’s word. Since I was
not able to form a clear and full understanding on my own, the way that I perceived the world
was more diverse than how God teaches. The textbook says that when an individual study's
theology they often start in the wrong place (Etzel & Small, 2016, p. 9). I agree with this since
my experience with God did not start with him, it started through the relationships and opinions
that others had already formed. When I was at an age where I was able to dive into my religion
on my own and study theology in a way that was fitting to me, was when I developed my own
relationship with God and started to comprehend the meaning behind his teachings.
Lessons Gained from this Course
While getting a passing grade is always wonderful, there are other things that I would like
to get out of this course. I would like to develop a fuller understanding of the teachings that God
has provided us with and how I can utilize the current information that I learn in my day-to-day
life. While reading the Bible has assisted me in many ways, I am not afraid to admit that there
may be something that I have missed or may have interpreted the wrong way.
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I would also like to become more familiar with the definitions of the wording that is used
throughout the Bible and in this course. While reading the course syllabus and instructions for
upcoming assignments there were some words that I was not familiar with and had to Google the
definitions. I am sure that with the research that I do for each assignment I will be able to better
grasp the meaning of each word and concept for not just my assignments in this course, but for
future use as well. This course and every other course that I take at Liberty University will
further assist me in becoming more acquainted and knowledgeable with my religion.
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References
Etzel, G., & Small, R. N. (2016). Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith.
https://app.logos.com/books/LLS%3AWS_6D3350A5ECEC4F17B545E9E81CC6B6FA
textPosition=res%2FLLS%3AWS_6D3350A5ECEC4F17B545E9E81CC6B6FA
%2F2021-11-30T21%3A34%3A42Z%2F2907
King James Bible. (2024). King James Bible Online.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Living-Life-To-The-Fullest/
(Original work published 1611).
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