What
does it mean to be a theologian? Being a theologian is part of being a
Christian. Don’t let that frighten you. Before I started seminary Lexington
Theological Seminary sent me a book, How to Think Theologically. Every incoming
student was supposed to read it before arriving on campus for orientation. If I
remember correctly some parts of this book were easier to read and understand
than others. Within the ten page introduction of this book the authors outline basic
thoughts about theology, the church, and the Christian faith.
What has
stuck with me from this book is that no matter who you are, clergy, lay person,
someone new to the faith, someone who can’t even remember how long they have
believed, this book reassures even the most doubtful among us that you- yes
even you are a theologian. Like I said before don’t be frightened by that
thought, but empowered that you are able to hold such an advantageous title! To
be a theologian you do not have to develop a theory about the incarnation of
Christ, you do not have to have written countless (somewhat) mind-numbing books
on the subject, and you do not have an array of letters before or after your
name. No- to be a theologian, someone who thinks theologically, you have to be
someone who is willing to actively seek to understand your faith as it applies
to daily living.
It
would be nice if there was one definition of theology, “unfortunately there is
no universally accepted definition…it comes to us as a compound word from
ancient Greek…” I won’t bore you with that (come borrow the book from my office
or find it online)! Theology in very broad terms “is typically expanded to
embrace the totality of things having to do with religious life…faith, church,
ministry… [and also] has to do with the function of statements about God in
Christianity.”
As
people of God and followers of Jesus Christ our understanding about how we actively
live out our faith is an ongoing process. From the time we outwardly proclaim our
faith as our own, we accept the responsibility to actively seek more
understanding of who God is and how God is working in our world and also share
that witness to others. This should be easy and it would be if we were the only
one striving to do this kind of thinking and living. But we all know that every
now and then we meet someone who has a different idea of what it means to
actively seek to understand his or her faith.
In a
society where people have a difference of opinion on everything from the best
toilet paper brand to who the next President should be, how can we seek to
understand our faith in ways that help proclaim the gospel of Christ? (glad you
asked) Sometimes
the best we can do is, in the words of mothers and teachers around the country “worry
about you before you worry about them”. In other words seek out for yourself
places and people who help you understand and grow in your faith so when you find
yourself with someone who understands it differently, you’ll know where you
stand.
Try it
today- actively seek to understand your faith as it applies to daily living in
your world. I don’t have the answers but I would be glad to wrestle with deep
questions with you, as I too seek to understand my faith today and into the
future.
Until next time-
Stone,
Howard W. How to Think Theologically, 1996, Augsburg Fortress
Minneapolis, MN.
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