God-consciousness is a universal reality that remains consistent, but the philosophical concept and theological definitions of God must evolve with each era as human knowledge advances. [1] Theology does not produce religion; religion develops values first, followed by interpretative beliefs. [2] The mission of theology is to define God and justify claims of religion, facilitating personal spiritual experience and living faith. [3] The mission of theology is to facilitate self-consciousness of spiritual experience and validate experiential claims through living faith. [4] In theology, facts must not displace truth in the central teachings of the kingdom of God as derived from the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. [5]
The fallacy that any creed is uniquely The Truth impedes the progress and evolution of religion, as real growth requires the humility to learn from other faiths. [6] Jesus's personal, living, and purely spiritual faith, untouched by theology's fixes and dogmas, was unshakable in the face of all trials. [7] Nalda dodged the issue of salvation with a discussion of theology and philosophy, despite her true thirst for living water. [8]
The philosophy of religion, theology, interprets the values and personal experiences that validate religion, even if beliefs may contain elements of truth and error. [9]
The paradox of human comprehension in theology, the psychology of religion, stems from the struggle to reconcile the concept of divine immanence with God's transcendence in religious experience. [10] Despite erroneous theology, religion can still be genuine and everlasting. [11] Theology is the study of one's religion, approached from inside, never becoming a science but intertwined with psychology and philosophy. [12]
The diversity in religious interpretations arises from the unique and individual nature of the divine impulses within each person, leading theologians to formulate 500 definitions of religion. [13] The theologians have usually held people back in religious development, while the prophets have led them forward. [14] Jesus pitied and loved the Jewish people, but grew resentful of dishonest theologians and politically appointed priests in the temple. [15]
Jesus’ life should restrain formation of creeds by presenting a striking and appealing picture of man-saving and God-revealing beauty, sublimity, humanity, divinity, simplicity, and uniqueness. [16]