So many denominations, seminaries, and theologians tout their ability to systematically tie the scriptures together to come up with doctrines that are Biblically sound. You learn systematic theology in Bible school, and are encouraged to use it to understand and teach the scriptures. I, personally, could not agree more with the idea. No one scripture or passage should ever be interpreted without understanding what the rest of the Word has to say. That is what it means to read the Word in the light of the Word.

But, as systematic as we are, we have managed to "systematically" weave completely unrelated scriptures together to invent new ways of corrupting what they teach. We get all sorts of conclusions, from occult beliefs about faith to ridiculous "proof" of personal callings. We can get away with this because few people ever question it. You see, we have learned as a society to make the Bible say what we want it to say. So, Hitler can use scripture to back up his holocaust, and Benny Hinn can teach that humans could actually fly in the beginning of creation. People don't question it because they don't even understand the explanations given by these "enlightened" teachers, so they are intimidated to debate. Debate, it seems, is left to egg heads and theology buffs. So, the average Christian who does not read his Bible regularly feels ill-equipped to challenge wrong doctrine.

But, what if I told you that it's really not that intimidating? What if you could refute any wrong doctrine with just one word? What if you could make the smartest sounding Bible scholar squirm in his seat when he teaches something extrabiblical?

.welcome to the Theology of Why.

Being unplugged from the commercial church is not a matter of spiritual opinion or bitterness towards authority. It is a logical conclusion that comes at the end of any answer that follows the word "Why?" Follow these questions to the logical conclusion and you will find yourself feeling a bit unplugged from the institution.

Why do we follow, obey, and depend on a senior pastor? Why not just tap into the presence, power, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit?

Why do we tithe when not even the Jews tithe anymore? Why not use the tithe for what the Bible teaches - to feed the poor, care for widows and orphans, and bless those we love?

Why do we spend money of buildings, lavish sanctuaries, and musical equipment when there are so many people in need, both inside and outside the church? Why not allow people who love to worship finance their own venues and use the money we save to meet needs?

Why do we jump on every theological and contemporary Christian band wagon instead of striving together to be the church the Holy Spirit heads? Why not all study the Word and take time to debate for answers?

Why is the church building called the "temple" when Jesus taught that the individual Christian was the temple and the actual physical temple was destroyed in 70 AD? Why not focus on building the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit?

Why is the church referred to as the "storehouse" when preachers want to convince people to fund their ministries when neither Jesus nor his apostles ever made such a designation or reassignment? Why not just tell people, "I need money to do what I feel God has asked me to do - please help."

Why, after years of ministry, do so few people remain close friends in a church when the true Church was to be known for its love for one another? Why not focus on relationships instead of music, editorial speeches, and donuts before service?

Why do we sit through sermons every Sunday and say that it is God talking to us when we know fully that most of what is preached is the opinion and interpretation of someone who may not be half as equipped as most people in the church? Why not interact with our fellow believers to find the answers of God's Word together?

Why do we being teachings like the "armor bearer" teachings to make people believe that they are called to serve a man when Jesus expressly prohibited such a demand from anyone? Why not teach the priesthood and royalty of all believers and our need to become great by serving one another?

Why are people told they should simply "pray for the leaders" when they know that wrong decisions are being made in the church? Why not call people out on their errors and demand righteousness in all decisions?

Why are over 90% of church budgets spent on facilities, operations, and salaries instead of meeting needs? Why not tell those "called" to ministry to finance their own ministries and stop stealing the blessings from the rest of the Body?

Why do we insist on "doing church" in the most expensive, beaurocratic, ineffective, one dimensional, extrabiblical way possible? Why not move to small, organic, and real?

Why do we use numbers to quantify the effectiveness of outreach when even megachurches are now admitting that their millions of dollars of "stuff" are proving to be ineffective? Why not use spiritual development and maturity of a believer as the true measure of success?

Why do only 1 out of 10 church kids stay in the church after graduating high school? Why is the divorce rate in the church higher than outside the church? Why do parents spend no time teaching their children about living for God, but instead leave it to Sunday school teachers to do this for them? Why not spend our time solving these problems?

Why does everyone get so bent out of shape when we ask the simple question - WHY?

This is the Theology of Why. It is a theology that questions everything and asks that everything be held accountable to the Word of God. It asks why preachers are living lavish lifestyles financed by their congregants. It demands answers from people who have come to believe that they answer to no one. Why are you in charge? Why do you believe you are "called"? Why are you qualified to teach the people around you? Why isn't anyone correcting you?

I wonder what would happen if every Christian would begin standing up in the middle of church services around the world and start asking the question WHY? I wonder what answers and consequences would manifest. I wonder what would happen if that simple word was applied to everything we do. Would everything change?

In my opinion, if more of our self-appointed church leaders began understanding and exploring this Theology of Why, we would witness the most drastic evolution of the Church this world has ever seen. "Why" would break strongholds and bring believers together like never before. "Why" would peel off those why are not really willing to be the Church. "Why" would plunge people back into the Word of God to answer its desperate call. "Why" would demand an answer from a commercial church that thrives on its prolonged absence. But, most importantly, it would lead us to the next level of understanding in our 2,000-year journey to fulfill the Will of God: The Theology of So Why Not.

So, why not be the Church of Acts?
So, why not serve one another?
So, why not create organic, Spirit-led communities of faith?
So, why not focus on the needs of this dying world?
So, why not stop complicating things?
So, why not do it the way Jesus intended?