We have come to the end of our ‘Theology 101’
series. What have we established?
·
Christian
theology concerns itself with speech about
God, with the speech of God, and with
the variety of experiences that are said to derive from Him.
·
We’ve
argued that theological study can be personally beneficial, pastorally helpful,
ecclesially vital and publically confrontational. We’ve also argued that it is
intellectually necessary and worshipful in nature.
·
We’ve
looked at the sources of Christian theology – revelation, experience, tradition
and reason.
·
We’ve
explored the types of Christian theology – its disciplines (e.g. systematic,
biblical, contextual theology, etc) and traditions (e.g. Roman Catholic,
Reformed, Lutheran theology, etc).
·
We’ve
investigated the relationship between apologetics and theology, suggesting nine
ways in which theological study should be a priority for the aspiring
apologist. In the last post, we used Richard Dawkins as a case study to
highlight how this relationship can be mutually beneficial.
In this final post, I want to say a few words
to those interested in studying theology. Seeing as it may be a little daunting
for beginners, there are a few pieces of advice I’d like to give you before you
get going.
First,
examine your intentions. Take
some time to think about why you want
to study theology. In the previous posts I may have given many positive
reasons, but the human heart is a fickle and deceitful thing (Jer 17:9); none
of its decisions are entirely pure. It should be obvious that theological study
affords the pupil with a certain degree of power
and influence, especially if they serve a Church otherwise bereft of
theologians. There are a great number of theologians (especially those who are
young) who use their intellect as a vehicle for vanity. Make every effort not
to fall into this trap: God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble
(James 4:6).
Second,
serve a Church. Get involved
in a local Christian community. Not only is there abundant scriptural warrant
for this, but (as we’ve argued) theology should also be ecclesial in nature.
You should aim to serve the Church with your study. More than this, your
commitment to a body of believers will benefit you greatly as you proceed on
your journey to learn theology. Not only will your time in the body be a source
of reflection and provocation, but it should also afford accountability and
wise direction. To submit in this way to a local Church (and its leadership)
will prove vital for the intellectual submission that God requires from every
theologian.
Third,
be steadfast in Scriptural study and prayer. This is something you won’t necessarily get right before you start, but you should begin to make an effort now. The
Scriptures ask that we “devote ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with
thanksgiving” (Col 4:2), and that we continue in our knowledge of the “sacred
writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). I really can’t understate this: Christian theologians are
not only mandated to be familiar with prayer and study, but they become better theologians by that same
familiarity. Seeing as Scripture is a vital resource of theological reflection
in every tradition, a greater awareness of its content makes one a more capable
theologian. Moreover, seeing as God is central to the theological task in every
sense, then greater intimacy with Him makes one not only a capable theologian
but one worth listening to. You may
know the difference between enhypostatic and anhypostatic Christology, but if
you don’t know Jesus, your words are always going to ring hollow.
Fourth,
pick up some introductory texts.
We’ve listed some already in this series: McGrath’s Christian Theology Reader and Christian
Theology: An Introduction are useful. So is Migilore’s Faith Seeking Understanding. The Cambridge Companion series can function at introductory as well as
advanced levels of study, so you may wish to acquire the volume dedicated to
Christian Doctrine (edited by Colin Gunton).
Fifth,
don’t be afraid of primary texts.
Get stuck into the classics. If you’re interested in Calvin, read him. If you
find your interest piqued by Augustine, Irenaeus and Athanasius, read them. If
you want to know more about Anselm or Barth, read them. You may not understand
everything you read but that’s fine; you’ll still get a basic sense of what
they’re saying. Use a notebook to jot down the gaps in your knowledge and
pursue those avenues at a later date.
Sixth,
if possible, find a friend or two who shares your interest in theology. This isn’t strictly vital but it certainly is
useful. After all, “iron sharpens iron” (Prov 27:17). This kind of friendship
will provide you with camaraderie and support when you find what you’re
studying objectionable, confusing or difficult. Personally, I have two friends
with whom I share a deep and satisfying theological relationship. We help one
another understand key issues, challenge one another in our piety, and spur one
another on towards mission. Such friendship is to be highly commended in one’s
theological life. [2]
Seventh,
if desirable, find an academic context in which to study theology. You might have assumed I’d list this first,
but it should be observed that theology is not – primarily – an academic
matter. You do not need to be an academic theologian to be a good theologian.
Indeed, many of the greatest theologians of history were pastors first, and
then scholars. If, however, you desire your theological study to be tempered by
academic discipline, then finding somewhere appropriate will be a priority.
Depending on what you want to do with your training, you may want to go abroad
or attend a seminary. In the UK, at least, academic theology is mostly defined
by the university. A handful of domestic institutions stand out: Oxford,
Cambridge, Durham, St. Andrews, Aberdeen, Nottingham, Chester, Leicester, etc.
Similarly, there are several international universities that would be worth
considering: Tübingen, Yale, Harvard, Notre Dame, etc.
Above all, make this the elementary feature of
your theological life – “He must
increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30). Of course, that is a
theological statement in itself. But by now, you’re hopefully equipped to know
what that means!
----------------
[1] C.S. Lewis wrote an essay called On the Reading of Old Books; find it
online, and read it. He makes a good case that we are too dependent on books about books, that we should persevere
instead with that which is primary as opposed to secondary.
[2] Indeed, it’s no coincidence that intimate
theological friendship was enjoyed by many of the great theologians of history.
One is reminded of Tolkien and Lewis’ friendship, along with that of the rest
of the ‘Inklings’. One may recall Barth and Thurneysen’s relationship, or that
of Calvin and Farel.
On Saturday night, as I was home alone, the door bell rang. I opened the front door to greet the two young smartly-dressed gentlemen. They introduced themselves as missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. the Mormons). Interacting with Mormon missionaries is a rare treat for me. I'm currently abroad, working in Seattle, and Mormonism is far less prevalent in the U.K. than it is in the U.S. Imagine, then, their surprise when I invited them to join me in the living room to talk about their faith. Imagine their still further surprise when I reached for my Book of Mormon and Bible. We discussed a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on the nature of God and salvation. One of them, I learned, was a former Buddhist who had recently converted to Mormonism. The other was a life-long Mormon. Over the course of our conversation, I asked them, as I do with representatives of any alternative religion, why they believed their religion to be true. As an evidentialist, I explained, I was open to listening to what they had to say -- but expected propositional truth-claims to be substantiated with arguments and evidence. After all, without such intellectual justification, is one's choice of worldview not merely reduced to an arbitrary matter of taste?
