Pieper, Francis. Christian Dogmatics: Volume 1. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1968.
Chapter A13, “The Purpose of Christian Theology for Man”
In this very brief chapter Pieper discusses the purpose of theology. Christian theology has three purposes. First, it leads people to eternal safety. This is the main purpose of all Christian theology. Other goals such as spreading a culture are merely side-effects, and not always desirable ones. The main goal of creating eternal salvation happens through the secondary goal, creating and preserving faith in Christ, which alone leads to salvation. A third purpose of theology is to encourage believers in good works. While our good works will never save us, they are a positive influence on our world and are normally motivated by good theology.
Chapter A14, “The Means by Which Theology Accomplishes Its Purpose”
How does theology bring people to faith in Christ and lead them to salvation? It does so only through the means God has appointed, which Pieper identifies as the Gospel. We may be tempted to use all sorts of wisdom, compulsion, social pressure, and the like. Yet God gives us none of these means. Only the Gospel imparts God’s grace (2 Cor. 3:5; Acts 20:24).
Some suggest that theology accomplishes its purpose through ruling Church government. Yet the government of the Church exists only to serve the Gospel. It is the good news of Jesus and only that which brings faith and salvation.
Chapter A15, “Theology and Science”
Pieper observes that we must define the word “science” if we are going to describe the relationship between theology and science. If science is natural knowledge viewed systematically, theology is not a science. It is not observed in nature but in Scripture. If science means that which is higher knowledge than faith, theology is not a science. The theologian may be better read and more equipped to explain Christianity than the average believer, but this is not superior to faith. If science indicates certain knowledge as opposed to speculation, theology is a science. It deals with the certainties revealed in Scripture.
How do we develop this faith and certainty? Pieper is clear that it does not come from our ability to understand God’s Word, but from the Holy Spirit who works faith in us. Theology deals in certainties which we receive by faith. Theology proclaims that certainty. What is the role of apologetics? It may function to convince people of the weakness of their man-centered philosophies. But overall it is the proclamation of truth that wins the day.