The Pursuit of Happiness

In chapter 29 of his book, 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols reaches back to the early 17th century to help us understand the "pursuit of happiness." Famously stated in the Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness has been variously defined over the millennia. In this chapter, Nichols explores the writings of Puritan theologian, William Ames. Ames believes that the study of theology is the source of happiness.

Theology is not just thinking toward God: theology is living toward God....Ames closely [follows] Thomas Aquinas [who argued that] theology is taught by God, teaches about God, and leads to God. Thomas will later expand on this idea of theology leading to God by telling us that theology leads us to worship God. The end of theology is worship.

Once Ames defines what theology is, with a little help from his friend Thomas Aquinas, Ames reaches all the way back to the days of the Greek philosophers. He reaches back to Plato and Aristotle and the age-old discussion of what constitutes the good life. What is happiness, and what brings happiness? To get at this, Ames uses two Greek words. The first is euzoia, and the second is eudaimonia. Now, euzoia means living well. We would simply say, the good life. And eudaimonia means living happily. We would simply say, happiness. And then Ames said theology is this. Theology is the good life and theology is happiness.

You want the good life? You want happiness? Be a theologian. Ames writes: "Theology therefore, is to us, the ultimate and the noblest of all the exact teaching arts. It is a guide and master plan for our highest end, sent in a special manner from God, treating of divine things, tending towards God, and leading man to God." Theology is living the Godward life, the happy life.

Everyone can be a theologian. Just spend time in the Word, read commentaries, and other resources. Be a student of God. The more we learn about God, the more we will live the life that He has set out for us.