The purpose of theological scholarship should serve both God and the church. Rather than seeking personal recognition or academic prestige, scholars should focus on two key aims:

Glorifying God

All theological work, from writing articles to preaching sermons, should ultimately bring glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31). This means:

• Writing for an "audience of One" rather than seeking human praise
• Approaching scholarship as preparation for the beatific vision
• Praying "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30)
• Finding satisfaction in God's approval rather than metrics like readership

Edifying the Church

Theological gifts are given by the Spirit for "the common good" (1 Cor 12:7) and building up Christ's body. This involves:

• Using academic work to equip pastors and teachers
• Making Scripture more accessible and understandable
• Contributing to the communion of saints
• Prioritizing church edification over academic recognition

The dangers of pursuing scholarship solely for academic prestige are illustrated by George Eldon Ladd's story - his devastating response to criticism shows the perils of seeking human approval above divine purposes.

When theological writing aims to glorify God and serve His church, scholars need not worry about metrics like readership or reviews. The goal is faithful service that prepares both writer and reader to better behold God's glory.

Therefore, all theological scholarship - whether articles, books, or sermons - should be undertaken for God's glory and the church's good rather than personal advancement or academic respectability. This keeps our work grounded in eternal rather than temporal purposes.

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