Theology 101 - Conclusion: How do I do Theology?

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.

Theology 101 - Apologetics and Theology [Part Two] - A Case Study

In the last post, we discussed the utility of theological reflection in the practice of apologetics. We suggested nine ways in which the study of theology may benefit those engaged in apologetics, arguing that one cannot successfully defend that which one does not know. In this short post, I wish to highlight a specific example of how the convergence of theological study and apologetic activity can not only be welcome but also necessary.

It’s no secret that Richard Dawkins is not a friend of the Christian faith. Neither, however, is he warm towards the discipline of theology. In an article for the Free Inquiry magazine in 2006, he asked, “what on earth makes one think that theology has anything useful to say” concerning the origins of human existence. [1] He continued to argue that “It is science and science alone that has given us this knowledge”, and by contrast, theology has never said anything “that is of the smallest use to anybody”. “The achievements of theologians”, writes Dawkins, “don’t do anything, don’t affect anything, don’t mean anything”. At other times he has spoken of his “doubt” that “‘theology’ is a subject at all”, comparing it with the study of leprechauns. [2]

Theology 101 - Apologetics & Theology [Part One] – How do they relate?

We have so far examined the nature of Christian theology. We’ve argued that each of us is, in fact, a theologian, and we’ve suggested a few reasons why theological study is valuable. We’ve explored the various sources involved in theological reflection, as well as the different disciplines and traditions of Christian theology. Since this is a blog dedicated to defending the Christian faith, I would like us to use the next two posts to explore the relationship between apologetics and theology.

Theology 101 - Types of Christian Theology

The study of theology is concerned with speech about God, with the speech of God, and with the experiences that are said to derive from Him. We now understand the sources of theological reasoning as well as the value of this kind of study. In this post, we turn to examine the various ‘types’ of Christian theology. [1] This post will be a little more complicated than the others, but we should persevere. We are well on our way to understanding the breadth of theological study!

Theology 101 - The Sources of Theology

We’ve so far concluded that theology concerns the speech of God and our speech about Him, as well as the various experiences that are said to derive from Him. We’ve suggested a variety of reasons why theological study is important. Now we turn to consider how Christian theology is done. What do theologians use to ply their trade? What are the sources of theology? [1]

Of course, theology is free to use any resource that proves helpful. The tools of psychology, sociology, philosophy, media and literary theory have all been used to craft theological conclusions. [2] However, you’ll often hear theologians refer to the “sources” of theology. [3] In this post I will briefly explain what these are.

First, revelation – God’s disclosing of Himself. We may further divide this into God’s ‘natural’ and ‘special’ revelation. The former refers to God’s ordinary methods. This may include the beauty and order of creation, the processes of human society as well as the events of our everyday lives. The latter, on the other hand, refers to God’s particular revealing of Himself, secondarily in Scripture and primarily in Jesus Christ. Special revelation in particular constitutes the very essence of theology, namely, the speech of God.

Theology 101 - Why is Theology Important?

In the last post we established that 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. This is theology according to its most general definition. Rendered this way, theological reflection would also include the psychology, sociology and philosophy of religion, as well as the study of any and all faiths and not just Christianity.

For our purposes, however, we are concerned with distinctively Christian theology. More specifically, we are concerned with Christian theology as an intellectual discipline of study. [1] We may engage in this discipline within the academy or the Church, or on a purely private basis. Wherever we choose to encounter this discipline, we should first pause to ask the question: why is it important to study Christian theology at all?

Theology 101 - What is Theology?

You already do theology, whether you know it or not. I can’t stress that enough. Regardless of your personal convictions concerning the existence of God, you will undoubtedly hold an opinion about His meaning and relevance. Whether He actually exists or merely constitutes an idea in the minds of His followers is quite beside the point.

If you believe anything about the divine, or think anything about religious faith and practice, then it’s rather undeniable I’m afraid: you are a theologian.

Of course, this requires an explanation as to what theology precisely entails. In this post and in those that are to follow I will do my best to offer one. I will endeavour to do so as simply and as succinctly as possible – after all, this is Theology 101. [1] We’ll look at the history of theology and its various expressions. We’ll look at the tools of its trade, and, particular to this blog, we’ll examine theology’s relationship with apologetics. For now, let’s return to that contentious statement that we are all, in fact, theologians.