I Need Theology!
Introduction
Who needs theology? This question is not only the title of the book I just read, but it is also a personal question that I must answer.
Summary
Stanley Grenz and Roger Olson eloquently argue that every thinking person is a theologian, but not every theologian has good theology. In order to become a good theologian the person must learn the reflective art of doing theology. Theology at its best is a never-ending exercise of critical reflection that is rooted on biblical truth, informed by Christian historical heritage, and contextualized to contemporary culture. It is not content with knowledge but with wisdom, because its ultimate goal is to be a transformative agent that moves from the mind to the heart to the hand. Consequently, the pursuit of sound theology is an essential endeavor that should not be taken lightly, because, if done well, it will protect the mind from error and lead a Christian to live a holy life to the glory of God.
Reflection
I read this book seventeen years ago, only two years after it was published. I read it during my first semester of my master’s in theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. I remembered that it was a good read but I had forgotten how profound it was. This time I found the book highly insightful and could not stop underlying phrase after phrase. I collected about five pages full of quotes! It indeed hit a chord within me.
First, the book served as a mirror. It described me in a way as if the authors knew me personally. I even wrote on the margin the word “Me!” on small letters. In describing the professional theologian, Roger Olson says, “Naturally enough, professional theologians attempt to raise their students above folk theology by inculcating in them a critical consciousness that questions unfounded assumptions and beliefs. To do this, professional theologians must themselves have a critical consciousness. This sometimes appears to others as skepticism and hostility toward piety and devotion. Professional theologians labor under this perception—often with great agony.” (32) On my spiritual journey I’m always thinking critically, trying to connect the dots of biblical knowledge and constantly evaluating different ideas with this filter. In that sense, I am more analytical than emotional (which can drive my wife crazy!). Consequently, the description of the professional theologian as a person that can be considered by others as a skeptic or hostile towards piety and devotion hits home. When I am interacting with Christians or unbelievers that are more emotional than analytical, I automatically evaluate assertions that seem to be neither objective nor biblical. Even when watching the news or a cartoon with my kids, I am always analyzing the underlying message. This process can indeed be described with the word “agony,” especially when seeing people pursue deception dressed as truth. It also feels like “agony” even when respectfully pointing inconsistencies to another Christian, because I never know if the person will appreciate it or be bothered by it.
Secondly, the book also served as a reminder. Olson points out that the primary role of the professional theologian is to be a servant and to come alongside the sheep to help them grow in their understanding. He says, “At its best, professional theology functions in a servant role and not a lordly role. That is, the professional theologians serve the Christian community by helping people think like Christ so that they can be more effective in witness, work, and service both in the church and in the world.” (33) As the Lead Pastor of Ethnos Bible Church, I must ensure that we create an atmosphere where people have the freedom to pursue understanding—not mere indoctrination. Where people are taught to think biblically—not just to believe. Even though we have already captured this desire in our value statements and it is reflected in our discipleship and training program, I have to ensure that our church environment remains a place of biblical reflection. I must do this by encouraging people to feel free to ask tough questions and to wrestle with theological difficulties openly, by proclaiming God’s word in a relevant manner, by equipping people with adequate tools to discern between essentials beliefs from theological opinions, and by always doing so humbly.
Finally, the book also served as a confirmation. After thirteen years of ministry experience, I have felt the need to gain more training in order to lead more effectively. This time I had the desire to do so in a Christian context that would expose me to a more diverse community of theological traditions in order to grow in my theological reflection. I imagine that it would be easier to be surrounded by Christians that believe exactly as I do. Yet, I suspect that at the doctoral level, interacting with the body of Christ more widely will enrich the experience—even if that means to get out of my theological comfort zone. I may identify my current theological position as a non-charismatic or complementarian Christian, but at the end, the word “Christian” is what defines me first. Stanley Grenz accurately points out that “no one theologizes in a vacuum by starting from scratch,” (53) therefore I should make it my goal “to examine critically and to articulate anew already accepted beliefs” (53). This level of reflection, perhaps, is one of my goals in this program, even though we are warned that despite being a healthy process, it can bring unintended consequences, because it has the potential to get us “in trouble with many good Christian people” (53) and even “necessitate your moving out of a church or denominational tradition.” (140). Now, of course I do not intend that to be the goal, but I must be open to that consequence, because ultimately, we are told that those who “do take the time and trouble to explore the process and products of theological reflection, find their Christian faith strengthened with mental conviction.” (63).
The last chapter of the book contains a paragraph that resonates with me at this stage of my life. It says, “More important than any exercises is a commitment and determination to grow and mature in thinking through your Christian faith within a community of God’s people and in relation to your cultural context. If you choose to do this, you will inevitably become more effective as “salt” and “light” in the world where God has placed you.” These words capture both the heart of this DMin program as well as the heart of this theologian. So, who needs theology? I do!
About the Author
Pablo Morales
Pablo Morales serves as the Lead Pastor of Ethnos Bible Church in Texas. He is currently pursuing the Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership and Global Perspectives at Portland Seminary in order to understand what it takes to develop a healthy multiethnic church.9 responses to “I Need Theology!”
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My dear Pablo,
Your blog was very heartfelt and it touch the core of my being, it gave me these thoughts, theology is not self-sufficient. It depends on the maturity of your Christian life, as the maturity of your Christian life depends on theology. Growth in grace will make you a better theologian, and becoming a better theologian will help you grow in grace. There is a “spiral” relationship between the two. When you become a Christian, you usually get some elementary theological teaching, a great help in getting started in your walk with the Lord. But then new questions arise, and you go back to Scripture and theology, and you get more advanced answers—sometimes to the same questions you had as a spiritual babe. But your greater maturity enables you to understand and appreciate teaching of greater depth. And that teaching, in turn, helps you to grow more, and so on.
Now you are looking in the rear view mirror to see how you have grown. Thank you for sharing those thought with us , I too took a trip back to the beginning. Thanks Rose
Rose,
Thank you for your encouraging and insightful comments. I appreciate the way you put into words the symbiotic relationship between theology and Christian walk. You said, “Growth in grace will make you a better theologian, and becoming a better theologian will help you grow in grace.” May this journey help us grow in both ways!
Wow Pablo! Thanks for sharing your life with us. I wholeheartedly agree. I especially agree with your thoughts on this DMin program. I loved how in HK all the Fox employees were academic, but they were all so professional. By this I mean they were “real” people; smart, have done the work, but not just for academia. They relate with people on each spot of the Grenz spectrum from Folk…to Ministerial, to pro, to academic. Cheers! We are in the right program!
You said it held a mirror up to you. Do you have any suggestions how to hold that mirror up to folk in our congregations who aren’t pursuing graduate work?
Aaron, I also experienced the encouraging humility of the professors and students. It was easy to interact with and learn from everybody.
The book was a mirror for me because it described how I think and function. I believe that in pastoral ministry, this mirror is the proclamation of God’s word, whether be in one-on-one discipleship sessions, counseling sessions, teaching, or preaching from the pulpit. If we proclaim it in a relevant manner, God’s word reveals the thoughts and hearts of people and brings them to the surface, so people can see them clearly and confront them with the truth proclaimed. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” It is not uncommon to hear people say, “you just described me today!” or “Who have you been talking to lately?” When people say things like these, they are experiencing God’s word as a mirror. So, in answering your question, my suggestion is that we can hold the mirror of God’s word effectively if we depend on the power of the Spirit, and we listen to the needs of the audience. If we do both, we will ensure that our teaching and preaching will always be relevant.
Pablo,
Great blog! I can tell this book really connect personally with you and your spiritual journey. In you blog you referenced you journey from folk theology to academic. What are some (one or two) practices that you see help people on that theological journey?
Blessings,
Aaron
Aaron,
Thanks! In my pastoral experience, there have been three helpful ingredients to equip our people in their theological journey. First, we disciple them one-on-one to help them understand their salvation and give them a basic understanding of the Bible. A personalized mentorship program like this allows the new believer to ask questions and get understanding in a way that may not happen in a class setting. Secondly, we provide intermediate training on theological and doctrinal issues, so that the person can now go deeper in their own study. At this stage they learn how to study the Bible so they can start connecting the dots on their own and start making theology with more confidence. Finally, we provide an atmosphere that values and encourages theological dialogue, where people know they can wrestle openly with theological difficulties without being labeled as heretics. We do so by teaching the person to separate essential beliefs from non-essentials and by teaching them that there are different views on different topics. In this way, we do not just teach them what to believe, but why. For those that desire more advance training, we encourage them to attend a Christian college or seminary. Thank you for asking!
Pablo,
Your summary paragraph is superb: concise capturing key points.
What’s been the best growth point/challenge for you so far in our D Min community?
Marc,
The experience in Hong Kong was edifying because I learned perspectives from people from a diversity of theological backgrounds, some of which I had not interacted with before. It is nice to see the effort of the Body of Christ in making an impact with the gospel in the lives of people across classes and needs. I never knew about the seafarers, or the community centers, or having a church in a hotel. I never imagined having a church functioning in multiple floors, or corporate worship as a tactic to calm down fights. I also did not know that many women feel constrained in their churches to exercise their leadership gifts. All of these perspectives have enriched my theological reflection.
On the other hand, the main challenge so far is related to the limited space for group theological reflection where we can both express our thoughts but also evaluate them in group dialogue. The lack of an appropriate context for this kind of dialogue can lead to unfiltered, subjective or uninformed perspectives that tend to lead to categorical assertions. The theological process can be hindered by this lack of sufficient group dialogue.
Pablo – I agree about the limited time. How I wish we could all be in the same room MORE – more often and for more time. Some conversations must be face to face.