Theology, Unity and Inner-Trinitarian Unity-Reflection

The Question:

For all the good that Continental Pietism did to nourish the spiritual lives of millions of Christians in Europe, it did downplay the need for doctrinal precision. In your view is this lack of an emphasis on theology for the sake of unity within the church healthy for a church or denomination over a long period of time? Why or why not?

My Answer:

Where an emphasis on theology does not exist, true unity, one will not find. Let me explain.

Theology: the humble, joyful submission to the Word of God in practice and in theory - worship with head and heart, affections and intellect. All learning is for lauding. Theology is a commitment to studying about the Triune God to apply His truths in order that the believer increasingly die to sin, live to righteousness, care for the saints, and to ultimately develop faith, hope and love for the Triune God.

Unity: the act of reflecting the inner-Trinitarian fellowship. Unity is the eager communion of the saints by the Spirit in the bond of peace in Christ as the Spirit enables the believer to fellowship with one another and the Trinity. The inner-Trinitarian fellowship, which the unity of the saints with Christ and each other reflects, is the intimate, open, submissive love which eternally radiates among the persons of the Trinity.

True Trinitarian unity-reflection only happens in a community which is beautifully and joyfully submitting itself to the Word of God (this is worship which is the purpose of theology), in order that the institutions - which God has erected to reflect His inner-Trinitarian unity - would submit themselves to Christ as Head of the Church and thus, show off His love for Himself.

Thus, theology and unity are inseparable because both are inseparable in their purpose - knowing and loving the Trinity to reflect His beauty back to Him.

Remove either one, theology or unity, and you never produce or maintain the other. They go hand in hand in their purpose.

Is the lack of theology for the sake of unity unhealthy? It's impossible. You can't produce beautiful Trinitarian-reflecting unity where worshipful Trinitarian-knowing theology doesn't exist and vice, versa.