My name is Bryan and I am student studying theology at Wheaton College. I believe that God can use theology to transform our personal relationships with Him, otherwise I would not study it. I have seen in my own life how my walk with Christ has been deepened and intensified through the study of theology.

I have also seen, however, how theology can lead to arrogance–how people with more education can use their knowledge to belittle people and stifle God’s transforming work in their lives. This is a tragic reality. I myself have been guilty of this.

But it seems to me you have created a strawman. I understand, more than most people, how theology can be a weapon. You are certainly right that theology has no redemptive power in its own right. However, I have seen God use theology as powerful tool for redemption, both as a negative corrective and as a positive edification. Is theology the problem? Or is it the human tendency toward pride? Too often those who have been entrusted to teach the church use theology to exercise power. But is this the fault of theology? Be careful not to make a strawman out of theology; no doubt anything can be used by the powerful to oppress others (even spirituality, a fact that the many monastic scandals in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church can attest to). Don’t blame theology, blame the theologian–the theologian who is but a sinful human redeemed by the grace of God.

I look forward to discussing this with you when you visit Wheaton later this year.