Theology for Real World
If Grenz and Olson’s book Who Needs Theology is Theology 101, Ford’s book Theology: A Very Short Introduction would be Theology 301 or 401. Where Grenz and Olson provide a concise explanation of the task of theology, Ford actually takes you into the very practice of theology. He explains theology while doing theology. The reader is given opportunity to not only understand the role and importance of the theology, she actually has a first hand seat to see theology tackling important topics such as God as Trinity; Christian ethics and worship; salvation and evil. For a “short introduction” Ford provides a rich and detailed look into what makes for a distinctive Christian theology.
Most importantly for me, Ford highlights the value of Christian theology for the real world. Theology, he suggest, has an vital role to play in the world, with special emphasis on academia. To me, this is both a revolutionary and extremely hopeful. For twenty-some years I worked in campus ministry. From my perspective, the university was made up of two distinct worlds. One was the university world made up of professors and people whose agenda was highly secular, who reflected the views of modern culture and had little room for anything religious. The other world was the small community of Christians who happily did their own things on the fringe of this academic world. The two only occasionally meet in unpleasant confrontations that might come in the form of a Christian student standing up during a biology class to argue his belief against evil evolution; or a protest by some Christian organization about some infringement on their freedom; or a nasty editorial by some atheist professor attacking anything religious. More often, these two planets seems float contently along in isolation.
Ford argues that the proper place of theology is in fact in this academic world (i.e. the place of cultural and societal influence). And his rational I think is very sound. He first states that there are billions of people around the world, “religious people and others who are trying to answer theological questions.”[i] This perspective is important, as the university often makes one feel like those who believe in God are the minority and insignificant. Ford reminds us that worldwide the vast major of people have a belief in God and are seriously practicing worship and seeking to understand God. If the university is to be honest in dealing with the realities of life in the world, it can’t ignore or write off religion. Theology is dealing with the real world realities of billions of people, and therefore should have seat at the academic table.
Secondly, Ford suggests that theology is the one subject that has something to say to every discipline. “It is hard to find a disciple that does not somehow relate to theology and the religions…”[ii] Further, for theology to be done well, it needs to interact with all disciplines to help insure that theology is answering the questions being asked by society and culture. This fits Ford’s definition for theology, which states that “Theology deals with questions of meaning, truth, beauty and practices raised in relation to religions and pursued through a range of academic disciplines.”[iii] In touching on all areas of life (summarized by “beauty, meaning, truth and practice”), Ford is suggesting that theology has important insights that can be brought to any discipline, which requires first extensive study and dialogue with these disciplines. Just consider the disciplines of history, biology, psychology, economics, urban planning, philosophy, social work, art, education and engineering. It can easily be seen how a robust theology that gives voice to the value and sanctity each human life, provides concepts of ethics, justice, a foundation for truth and beauty, might provide wise guidance, correctives or criticisms for any and all disciplines.
Finally, Ford suggests that the best theology is about conversation. “(T)heological conclusion are not just a deductions from authoritative statements, but are worked out by the worshipers engaged with God, each other, scripture, the surrounding culture, everyday life, and all the complexities, ups and downs of history…”[iv] For many Christians, theology is about simply studying God’s word and making sure people know “the truth” found on clear statements of scripture. Ford reminds us that good theology is not done in a vacuum. It involves conversation that only begins with worshipers (those who are seriously seeking to know God) with scriptures, but then it must go way beyond just our community of fellow travelers. Theology must dialogue with the surrounding culture, with history and with every day life (i.e. the disciplines at our universities). As theology dialogues in the real world, it will be strengthened and refined, keeping it in touch with today’s issues and culture and thinking. When theology so dialogues, it then will be equipped and find opportunity to effectively influence the world in positive ways to bring the things of heaven to earth.
This means, instead of Christians doing their own thing in their own little group and the university (thinkers and movers and culture makers) doing their own thing, there are important reasons for these two spheres to come together. Instead of feeling left outside of what is really going on, Ford provides Christians a way forward for making a contribution in all areas of God’s creation, even the university. “If the understanding of theology offered in this book is accepted, then it is clear that there should be contributions to the shaping of industries, nations, institutions, professions, cultures, and practices of all sorts.”[v] Ford’s view is that theology’s place is where people are contributing to our culture and society, which will mean that those with theological education need to be distributed among the many disciplines to help bring God’s influence and voice to all areas of life. Then theology will proper perform its task. What a hopeful view!
John Woodward
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