Sing your Theology
“Any theology that does not lead to song is, at a fundamental level, a flawed theology.”
– J.I. Packer
Theology is for doxology. Theology that is for argument, arrogance, or knowledge alone is a flawed use of theology. Packer pressed further into this idea in the quote above. Not only is the unproper use of theology an issue according to Packer; any theology that does not increase delight in God is flawed. Why? Because knowledge of God should always lead to praise of God. If what you know about God makes you less like God, then that theology is not from God.
Singing is what happens when delight can no longer be expressed by mere words — tune must be added to it. Singing engages various human faculties, and it is commanded by God (Ps. 96:1–2; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). What God commands is simultaneously for our good and his glory. His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). So, what might God be accomplishing in us when we obey his command to sing? I believe God increases our satisfaction of him while increasing his glory in the world through the singing of his wondrous works. In other words, singing is both a climactic expression of treasuring God and displaying him.
But might God be accomplishing something more specific through singing that is needed in the triggered mood of our day? For John Newton (18th century pastor, poet, and hymn-writer of “Amazing Grace”), his “habitual tenderness” was cultivated by his focus on delighting in God rather than engaging in constant controversy. What made Newton such a rarity? “Newton,” John Piper said in 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy, “cared more about influencing people with truth for their good rather than winning debates” (289). Bruce Hindmarsh noted that it is not surprising then that Newton primarily wrote biographies, sermons, letters, and hymns rather than treatises or polemical tracts (289).
Could it be that Newton’s focus on singing his theology through hymnody made him a less contentious person? I think so. When theology is turned into doxology, theology is serving its intended purpose. Might it be then that part of angry theologizing and tweeting stems from a lack of singing theology? Or does a lack of singing reveal that our theologies are flawed? Both are valid questions to ponder. However, if we can turn all our theology to doxology, I believe we will see more rare Christians “who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steal” (Piper, 274). Sing your theology. In turn, I believe we will be less contentious and happier in Jesus.
