“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul.”
Augustine of Hippo

Beautiful theology (theology = theos + logos in the greek) is a Word about God that has an inherent sing-ability to it. This is why the ‘worship leader’ is such a vital role in a church. As I have heard JD Walt say many times, “the worship leader is the practical theologian of the Church.” Revelation 14:3 reminds us that before the eschatological throne of heaven we won’t just be quoting the right things, but singing a beautiful new song,

“And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.”

I was blessed to have taken Sacramental Theology with the notorious preacher and scholar, Bob Stamps. Dr. Stamps once said something that has stuck with me through the years, “Our theology needs to be as beautiful as it is correct.” Does this mean that systematic theology needs to be written in prose? Or that a Church’s statement of faith converted to a hymn? While I would enjoy hearing systematics put to prose and singing a church’s confession, what I am suggesting is that our theology should be more like a painting or symphony than a lawsuit or military campaign.

When you read the Gospels during this season of Epiphany do you see how Christ is revealed as God but miss the beauty of that revelation? Do you marvel at the symphony of events that God orchestrated for this unveiling? Do you gaze at the scenes as a priceless masterpiece? Do you marvel at the beauty of the Gospels as you abide in their truth?