Introduction: The Quiet Crisis Within Our Pews
In 2022, Ligonier and Lifeway published “The State of Theology,” where Evangelicals were surveyed about various theological claims. The results were startling to say the least. For example, 55% of surveyed Evangelicals agreed that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” Not stopping there, though, over 50% of surveyed Evangelicals reject the Godship of Christ! It is undeniable that we live in a time where the church is confused; confused about politics, sexual ethics, and most sadly, core biblical doctrines that define our faith.
It is easy to look at these numbers and disregard them. When you look out at your church, you hope that your congregation would answer differently. But while many churchgoers are spiritually sincere, they are theologically malnourished. Our church calendars can be filled to the brim with events and outreach while the need for theological maturity is too often neglected.
If pastors continue to neglect the theological maturity of their congregations, they not only weaken their people, but they risk the distortion of the gospel. The church must recover the biblical view that theological maturity is essential to discipleship, worship, and witness.
What Is Theological Maturing?
Theological maturing, for our purposes, is the deliberate growth in the knowledge of God through his word. It’s not an academic pursuit for the few, but an essential discipline for every believer. It’s the process by which the truths of Scripture shape our hearts and minds, transforming how we think, live, and worship. Theology is not merely about memorizing facts—it’s about cultivating a deeper love for God and a clearer understanding of his will.
The purpose of theological maturity is not to accumulate knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but to allow that knowledge to fuel our worship, guide our decisions, and strengthen our faith. It equips us to engage with the world around us, standing firm in our convictions when doctrinal confusion or cultural pressure arise. Theological maturity transforms how we view God, ourselves, and our role in his mission.
A church that prioritizes theological maturity doesn’t just impart information—it nurtures a culture of deep conviction and thoughtful engagement with God’s word. This kind of maturing leads to a robust, resilient faith, rooted in truth and growing in obedience.
Biblical Foundation: Teaching Is Discipleship
The Bible is clear about the role of teaching in discipleship. We see time and time again that the method for growth is through teaching and learning from the word.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18–20, ESV)
The famous Great Commission. It is here that we can see the heart and drive of Christ’s call to “make disciples.” In this text, Christ frames his view of discipleship around the teaching! He calls us to make disciples indiscriminately, but how? By “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” We are not simply evangelists; we are instructors of the word of God.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
For the early church, doctrine and instruction were at the very core of their lives together, as they were constantly learning more and more and instructing one another about the word of God. While it is foolish to think that the first century church had it all perfectly right (the letters of Paul prove overwhelmingly otherwise), it is absolutely undeniable that they held the doctrine and teaching from the Apostles very highly, centering their entire lives around the truths they received.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph. 4:11–14, ESV)
The expressed purpose of the leadership within the church is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry… so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro.” If the church is not training up their members, they are leaving them as children, vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. The expectation clearly stands that the church would teach sound doctrine, so that believers are not swayed by the winds of false doctrine.
Theological instruction should not be seen as only for the elite, nor should it ever be seen as optional; theological instruction is an expectation in the New Testament for healthy church life.
What Are the Consequences of Neglecting Theology?
There are many churches who seem to be putting along fine without intentional theological maturity, many that are even growing, but growing in the numbers does not equate to true growth. Your roots may stretch wide, but not deep. If a church prioritizes simple growth to the neglect of theological maturity, they can often times be so focused on breadth, that they neglect depth.
Theological Drift
When churches don’t ground their congregation in sound doctrine, they can quickly become vulnerable to false teachings (Col. 2:8; 2 Tim 4:3–4). It is easy for someone who doesn’t know the glorious truth that Jesus is God, uncreated from eternity past, to assume that he was merely a good teacher created by God, when they don’t have anyone who has ever told them otherwise. Without intentional progression, the church will experience regression and fall deep into erroneous ideas that will continue if left unchecked.
Cultural Confusion
Many Christians are unaware of the secular ideas they hold (prosperity gospel, gender confusion, universalism, etc.) simply because no one has taught them otherwise. Especially in this day and age where sexual sin and promiscuity is plastered in front of our faces everywhere we go, it is a slippery slope to fall into thinking that, “well, it’s good for the world, so it must be good for me.” Perhaps someone has a loved one who is struggling with sins such as these. If they are not grounded in the rich theological truths of Scripture, it is so easy for them to reject the word of God in favor of living comfortably around their loved ones.
Loss of Distinct Witness
When a church doesn’t have theological clarity in its pews, the church will lose its saltiness to the world. Worship can turn into a venue for entertainment, or often times the church becomes a home for political tribalism. When a congregation stops having theological clarity, they stop being the bulwark of truth they were made to be.
This is not an impossibility for churches today. We have seen it happen repeatedly where churches start to reject the biblical theology they were founded upon and fade into the world. We have seen it with the Anglican Church, the United Methodist Church, and famously the downgrade controversy of the Baptist Union in the days of Spurgeon.
Yet even as we acknowledge these dangers, Scripture also assures us that God himself is not passive in the growth of his people. The same Spirit who indwells every believer also guards them from ultimate deception (1 John 2:20, 27). The Spirit confirms the truth inwardly even as it is taught outwardly. While theological immaturity leaves Christians vulnerable, God in his faithfulness will not abandon his people but will continue to correct, anchor, and mature them in the truth. This divine promise should not diminish our urgency but deepen our confidence that the work of theological maturity is carried out in dependence upon the Spirit who leads God’s people into all truth.
Theology Is for Everyone
As Nathan A. Finn has so plainly put it, “The fact is, everybody is a theologian. Everybody thinks about God on some level, which is what it means to “do” theology. The only question is whether you are a good theologian or a bad theologian.” There are many who assume that theology is only for the academic or for pastors, but that is an unfortunate misunderstanding. Not only does Scripture assume that even ordinary Christians will be doctrinally informed (Heb. 5:12–14), but every ordinary Christian is fully capable of learning deep theology. There is not a certain IQ needed to understand the things of God, simply a heart that seeks to know its Savior more.
Not only can everyone learn theology, but it is crucial that they do. A congregation that does not know God can never worship him rightly (John 4:24). Beautiful music divorced from true knowledge of God cannot rise to genuine worship. Our theology not only forms our worship, but it is the wood in the fire. As Pastor Jonny Ardavanis has said, “Theology fuels doxology.”
When members are taught to think theologically, it enriches all of their life. It deepens their prayers, strengthens their assurance, fuels their evangelism, and encourages them to persevere.
Restoring Doctrine to the Church
While the need for theological maturity might seem obvious, for churches without it, they are often lost on where to begin. We want to develop a culture of theology, not just a class.
Start with the Basics
Tread through the shallows before you dive into the deep end. Start basic, introduce things such as catechisms and confessions, maybe consider walking through your church’s confession of faith as a congregation, or offer theology-focused Sunday school classes. There are many ways to start, but it is most important that you take the first step. The classes may be lightly attended at first, but don’t lose sight of your biblical responsibility. The word of the Lord does not return in vain.
Train Leadership First
This does not need to be a “grass roots” movement. Gather your leadership, your elders, your deacons, your volunteers and teach them sound doctrine. Having followed the biblical example, your elders and deacons will already be ready and able to teach. But still encourage them not to shy away from learning more. Train them to appreciate the deep nuances in the mind of our God, and show them how to “think God’s thoughts after him.” Let them then take the word to your members.
Layered Learning
Most churches aren’t next door to world class seminaries, so offer all levels of education. Make sure it is accessible to all, offering entry level learning for those new to the faith, or perhaps just new to theology, such as a “Theology 101” class, and more advanced ones such as “Systematic Theology” for the more seasoned Christians.
Use Trusted Resources
Pastoring is one of the busiest professions, so don’t think that you need to produce seminary level content in order to teach theology. The Lord has blessed the church with many men and women who have devoted their lives to the education of the church, and I encourage you to benefit from them. Base studies off already existing content, and feel free to use resources such as systematic theologies or otherwise to train your church before you make any new curriculum.
Preach with Purpose
Preaching is the primary means of grace for the person sitting in a pew. It is from your preaching that the culture of the church is molded. If you desire a church that is more theologically adept, don’t be afraid to explain to them deep theological terms and define doctrine for them. It is part of your role to connect for them truth and life.
Conclusion: A Rooted Church Is a Resilient Church
Theological education should not be seen as a luxury—but as a lifeline. Without it, the church can wither spiritually; with it, the church thrives in depth, unity, and mission. This does not mean churches need to become seminaries, but they should become centers for the teaching of God’s word. Every elder, deacon, and member has a role in this great task.
“I would say without any hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as it is the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world also” (9).
– Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Let the church once again be a place where God’s people are taught to think deeply, believe rightly, and live faithfully.
