Theology

What does it mean to “fear” God?

September 13, 2022 by Krisan Marotta

In biblical terms, the word “fear” does not usually focus on feelings of terror or fright. “Fear” is a motivating emotion. We use “fear” to determine what we will do in any given situation.

For example, suppose that public speaking makes you sick to your stomach. Whenever you are offered speaking opportunities, you refuse without hesitation, because even the thought of standing in front of group makes you nauseous.

One day when you arrive at work, your boss assigns you to give the keynote speech at the next convention. It’s a great opportunity plus she’s counting on you. What will you do?

The biblical way of framing that question is: Who do you fear most? You fear the painful experience of speaking in public. You fear your boss who has the power to ruin or advance your career. Which do you fear most?

The thing that you fear most determines your choice. If you value your career most, then you will speak at the conference. If you value a low-stress life most, then you will refuse to speak.

The thing that you fear is the thing that has the most power to influence you for better or worse. It is the factor that you will pay the most attention to when making your decisions.

Frequently in Scripture, we are admonished, not to fear other people, but rather to fear God. When deciding how to act, our motivating factor should be His values, precepts and instructions, not what other people may think. For example:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

Word Study: fear, phobeo

Theology and its task

“Faith seeking understanding.” – St. Anselm
Providing an ordered view of the faith of the Christian community.
Articulating Christian faith in terms that are intelligible to the wider culture.
“A continuing search for the fullness of truth of God made known in Jesus Christ.” – Daniel Migliore
“The science of living blessedly forever.” – William Perkins
“Theology teaches of God, is taught by God and leads to God.” – Thomas Aquinas
“When rightly pursued, theology reminds us of who we are in light of who God is and moves us to worship Him with our whole being.” – R.C. Sproul
“One is sometimes (not often) glad not to be a great theologian; one might so easily mistake it for being a good Christian.” – C.S. Lewis

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Divisions of Theology

adapted from J.I. Packer

Exegesis: What did the author intend to convey in this text/passage? This leads to the question, what then does it mean to us?
Biblical Theology: What is the message of each author and of the Bible as a whole about various topics?
Historical Theology: How have Christians understood various elements of the faith in the past?
Systematic Theology: How should we state the total Christian faith today, topic by topic, and as a whole, in light of current interests, assumptions, questions, challenges and culture?
Apologetics: How should we explain and defend the faith today in the face of contemporary unbelief, mistaken belief and puzzlement?
Ethics: What are the ideals and standards of Christian behavior? How do we justify them against criticism and bring them to bear upon particular situations?
Missiology: How should we understand and fulfill the ministering tasks on which God sends His people in this world?
Spiritual Theology: How should we understand and practice the life of communion with God?
Liturgical or doxological: How is God best and most truly worshiped by His people, and how may we achieve true worship in our churches?
Practical: How should we understand and further God’s work in our particular roles, situations, professions, etc.?