What is Theology of Growth

Welcome to my new publication

Welcome to Theology of Growth.

And the Child grew

and became strong in spirit,

filled with wisdom;

and the grace of God was upon Him.

- Luke 2:40, NKJV

Why Theology of Growth?

This newsletter practicalizes biblical teachings on personal and church growth. I don’t seek a public fronting of virtue, and this may be another Christian publication. But those of us who have lived in African societies can attest to the proliferation of churches and that rampant prosperity preachers are fattening themselves on the pennies of unsuspecting members. Yet to leave the matter at this point would, at best, be an attempt to add another chorus to the tiresome issues plaguing the mind.

If people go to a church or mountain to resolve their material or spiritual problems, isn’t it because something or someone tells them that nothing except God will relieve them of such plight?

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

And they found a prophet/prophetess, apostle, pastor, man or woman of God, or whatever else the purporting representative of God calls themselves, who guarantees a spiritual measure? And even when it is nearly obvious that they’ve been misled, they excuse the failure quite understandably as a case of one approach being unfit for their unique circumstance or claim a lapse in the strength of their faith.

What does this publication cover?

I don’t propose to know all the forces inhibiting the flourishing of Christians, African or not. So, I won’t suggest that any approach is ordained to arrest an inhibition in the Christian life simply because it has a corresponding biblical quote unless it’s the literal injunction that reads:¹

“but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit.”

That said, this publication will engage issues beyond the frictions in African Christianity and its impact on the believer. Take contemporary Western culture, for instance.

While policy enthusiasts continue to debate what the fundamental values of culture should be, the ongoing attacks by leftist organizations and their sympathizers against the founding principles and structures of Western society continue to pile up.

Top Trans Doctors Blow the Whistle on ‘Sloppy’ Care

Why is this worth your consideration?

The claims of popular culture are fleeting and hard to define. It's a problem because generations are characterized by a core set of elements early on so that the extent of their utility or otherwise is manifest and then reincarnated or forsaken by successors. That’s if the consequences of our poor judgments now may be reversed later.

Recent research findings show that the effects of social media on children are disheartening. Yet, tech innovators claim that the sharp proliferation of technology and digitalization is to charitable ends, such as the democratization of opportunity.

What can I say about trends?

They are "easily manipulated by detrimental spiritual forces [and selfish] powerful political, corporate, and media elite special interests." And the solutions, or better, coping mechanisms employed against these ills, fail even with their concession for the spiritual. Freya India captures the prevalence of therapeutic culture among Gen Z, noting that many "young people now interpret their lives and emotions and relationships through a therapeutic lens."

She details the entrenchment of a therapeutic worldview in young people further:

"This is how many of us make sense of loss, of love, of hurt now. We refract our relationships through therapy-speak. We define ourselves by our diagnoses. And we mimic religion, all the time. We don’t pray at night; we repeat positive affirmations. We don’t confess; we trauma dump. We don’t seek salvation; we go on healing journeys. We don’t resist temptation from the devil; we reframe intrusive thoughts. We don’t exorcise evil spirits; we release trauma. And of course, we don’t talk to God, c’mon—we give a “specific request to the universe” that “has a greater plan” for us."

But as Freya adds, the "tendency to obsess over our mental health, to orient ourselves with wellness and self-actualisation as our highest aim—even at the expense of others... wrenches aspects of religion from the inconvenient parts; the parts we need most."

So what?

I cannot speak for other religions but the Bible offers something more rewarding beyond guidance for the troubled just as answered prayers mean more than confirmations.

Sometimes, when people seek therapy, they want help advancing toward a higher version of themselves, and sometimes, they seek to reconcile who they've become with the version they ought to be. Both desires are often what various, ever-changing, new-age approaches to personal development promise but fail to deliver partly because some coaches would rather "sell their life disguised as a coaching product."

Scripture posits an eternal presence with God as the highest version of “being”; the way to that being grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And we could aspire to the highest version God wants us to be.²

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..."

Why is the biblical view important?

A personal growth plan that accepts the supremacy of Christ avoids the danger of mindlessly following other people who are susceptible to the same weaknesses as we are and deters us from self-idolizing or victimizing trends like sorcerer-led rage rituals.

Here are the biblical fundamentals of this newsletter:

1. Personal growth is as scriptural as church growth. The Bible is filled with images, dimensions, and examples of growth, some of which include teachings on personality and character.

2. Growth is imperative in the Christian's relationship with the Saviour.³

   "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

3. Growth is a process actualized in fellowship with Jesus Christ and His church. So, a Christian cannot hope to make heaven alone. Note the plurality conveyed in the saying:⁴

   "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

4. Spiritual growth is like physical growth.⁵

   "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

5. Growth is productive.⁶

   "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last."

But there’s more

I have found the work of other authors particularly delightful, some of which I have referenced in this inaugural piece. So I won’t deny their influences.

I also find Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s publication, Restoration, inspiring. Fortunately, it shares a scope similar to this newsletter.

Here’s how she puts it:

“…we will host conversations between religion and science, educators and parents, employers and employees, all in a bid to find common ground. We want to answer such questions as: why does family matter, why are borders and citizenship important, and why do nations matter?”

Finally, I pray that this publication blesses you.⁷

Everything good will come!

1. Ephesians 5:18b

2. 2 Cor. 5:18

3. 2 Peter 3:18

4. Ephesians 4:15

5. 1 Peter 2:2

6. John 15:16

7. Theology of Growth went by the name “Matters of Growth” until its conversion in August 2024.