When Right Theology is All Wrong
I joined a small group at my church, and we had our first meeting last night. A bit awkward, but that will pass. We talked about the book of Job. Of course, talking about that book in earnest probably would require at least 2 months. But we implicitly agreed to pretend we covered it in one night. :) I find the book of Job to be raw and gut-wrenching, yet beautiful and majestic. Every time I read it, I’m humbled by the sovereignty of God. But I also kind of want to bang my head against a wall. This time around, I decided to leave the perplexing theological questions alone. And in doing so, something else caught my attention: Job’s friends. I must say, in the past I have thought ill of Job’s friends. “They’re bogus. They’re jerks. Why are they all on his case?” and so forth. But…I think job’s friends meant well. What I find completely stunning is God’s response at the very end:
“After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.’” (Job 42:7)
Whaaat? Here’s the thing. I think Job’s friends had some pretty good advice which was based on pretty good theology. I mean, you sin, you suffer. You reap what you sow. That is biblical! They maintain that God is just and that perhaps Job needs to repent. How could they be so right and so wrong? Here’s what I’ve learned from Job’s friends:
- Theology can be right and simultaneously totally unhelpful.
- Sometimes saying nothing is best.
- Defending God does not bring Him glory when I resort to simplistic answers.
- I don’t always have enough understanding to respond appropriately to suffering.
- Allow my friends to be honest and real before God, even if it seems outlandish to me.
Thanks Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar 
Hmm… I’m sitting on some ideas for upcoming posts. We’ll just see.
Job. I’m so happy that book is in the Bible
What do you like about the book of Job? What do you find most compelling?
“Theology can be right and simultaneously totally unhelpful.”
Well that’s presupposing that Job’s friends had “good” theology, something I’m not convinced of. First, if theology is the “study of God” or the “science of God” (which is the traditional definition), how can the “right” or “good” study of God ever be unhelpful? It seems to me that what God is testifying to is the fact that Job’s friends had really crappy theology, and even worse practice. After all, isn’t sin (especially their’s) just a deficiency of theology (i.e. wrong thinking about God which leads to wrong living)? I’m just not convinced their theology was “good” at the wrong time…their theology just outright sucked “You have not spoken right of me.”
That’s my thought.
In hindsight, I wish I had chosen a different word besides “theology”, like perhaps, “doctrine”. I think that would communicate my point more accurately. So, with that in mind…
In the past, I would have totally agreed with you about Job’s friends. But honestly, I think very little, if any, of what they said was wrong. It just wasn’t applicable to Job. I think their understanding of sin and suffering, sowing and reaping, repentance, and the justice of God was pretty legit. But the thing I’ve learned from Job’s friends (and the point I attempted to make in the post) is that I don’t have enough understanding to take one thing I know to be true and apply it universally to everyone all the time.
I read a great post by Greg Boyd about Job a while back. http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2007/09/35w-bridge-collapse-and-book-of-job.html
Check it out, since I know how much you love him.
Anyway, so in terms of theology, by traditional definition, I think you are right. It is never unhelpful. But in terms of doctrine (or perhaps dogma?), I think that can be unhelpful. Let me know what you think.
Just that it’s possible for all that to happen and still love God. Job wasn’t Jesus. He was just human. I think he can also be used as a counter point against prosperity gospel taken to extremes or those who would view the Christian life as one full of victory leaping from mountain top to mountain top with a smile on your face.
Job curses the day he was born. Not sure I’ve had days like that but certainly felt close on occasion.
I like the point on the three lads saying stuff that wasn’t far off what you would say to a friend in a similar situation. Sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut and pray