Puppy Dog Theology

During my commute this morning I heard a radio ad that went something like this:

“XYZ Investment Advisors: smart investment strategy isn’t affected by the headlines.”

The point of the ad is that investment strategy is what it says, strategic. It takes a long view of investments and financial management and is not reactionary; it is not dependent on the “hour’s top stories”. It doesn’t reinvent itself every 24 hours. While a smart financial adviser doesn’t ignore the news; as a rule of business he or she does not allow the hottest news story to dictate long-term planning.

Good theology isn’t affected by the headlines either. In fact, grounded Biblical theology is never affected by the headlines for it is rooted not in the news or economic climate but in the Word of God and in Jesus Christ. However, as a visit to a typical “Christian” bookstore will quickly reveal, much of what passes for Biblical thinking takes its cue from the “hour’s top stories”.

Certain popular “preachers, teachers, and writers” who have been around for a few decades are adept at reinventing and adjusting their messages to the ebb and flow of political, economic, and military events. It’s amazing how they can respond to every crisis by providing a new understanding of what the Bible says about this or that headline.

It reminds me of a puppy chasing its tail, around and around it goes, fascinated by this long thing following it from behind; occasionally the puppy catches the tail – but then what? It soon lets it go and begins the pursuit once again – around and around. Unlike many Christians, however, the puppy eventually outgrows tail chasing.

Puppy theology is also akin to theologically living in an RV; always on the move, never rooted, never grounded; life without foundation. In RV thinking life is not measured by depth, but rather by how many miles the RV travels. RV living cannot plant, cannot water, and cannot harvest.

Jesus taught the difference between building on sand and digging down in the earth to find solid rock upon which to build. The waves of life and current events are ever changing the position of the house on sand; these same waves and events can but beat against the house on the rock and eventually recede. The storm may be great, but the house is stronger.

How is it that in spite of the glorious message of passages such as Daniel Chapter 2 and Revelation Chapters 21 and 22; of Romans Chapter 8 and Ephesians Chapter 1; how is it that in the face of these marvelous passages that we go round and round in circles chasing ourselves rather than being focused on Jesus Christ, rather than embracing His Cross as a way of life, rather than living for the blessing of others?

Grounded Biblical thinking isn’t affected by the headlines, for it is centered on Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.