Importance of Theology


Those who are idle in the pursuit of righteousness count theological terminology as secondary, together with attempts to search out the hidden meaning in this phrase or this syllable, but those conscious of the goal of our calling realize that we are to become like God, as far as this is humanly possible for human nature. But we cannot become like God unless we have knowledge of him, and without lessons there will be no knowledge. Instruction begins with the proper use of speech, and syllables and words are the elements of speech. Therefore to scrutinize syllables is not a superfluous task. Just because certain questions seem insignificant is no reason to ignore them. Hunting truth is no easy task; we must look everywhere for its tracks. Learning truth is like learning a trade; apprentices grow in experience little by little, provided they do not despise any opportunities to increase their knowledge. A person who spurns fundamental elements as insignificant trifles will never embrace the fullness of wisdom.
~ St. Basil the Great

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