2.Why is the study of theology important?

From the dawn of human history, every people group across the world has been struggling with the great questions of human existence: “Who am I? Why am I here? What am I doing? How do I find meaning and happiness?”. Different civilizations and different persons have formulated different answers to these questions, ranging from the ultra-hedonistic principles of Cyrenaicism to the ultra-ascetic principles of the Hindu Jainists. However, both of these extremes, and every other human philosophy that lies somewhere in between, is insufficient to answer these questions.

The great underlying supposition of theology is that it is only the God who created mankind that can reveal what mankind's purpose is, and show how we may obtain meaning and happiness. If we look for the answers to life's deepest questions within ourselves, we will never find satisfactory answers; but if we look to the One who made us, and conform our lives to his words and commandments, then we will find certain answers to all of our questions. Riches, fame, power, knowledge, and all the other things that humans pursue will never finally satisfy; but as God declared through the prophet Jeremiah, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom and let not the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Therefore, theology is not just an interest or hobby that we can add to our list of favorite activities and diversions. It pertains to the whole of our lives, and must shape and inform our thoughts and activities in every sphere of our existence. Without the knowledge of God, the knowledge of ourselves becomes distorted and futile, and any meaning and ultimate satisfaction becomes utterly impossible.

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